CO537-2188 — Page 493

While a distinction between British and non-British

is of course fully defensible, I consider that all non-British subjecte must be treated similarly in this matter of qualification.

If you feel that by

extending the period of residence required of Americans and non-British Europeuns the Council might be deprived of valuable members, you may wish to consider overcoming this difficulty by adding to the number of nominated members at the expense of the non-Chinese elected members.

(c) You may consider that there would be an advantage in

stipulating that at least six months or the qualifying period of residence for membership or

or frunchise must be within the 12 month period immediately prior to the date or registration in the electoral role.

(d) I should be glad if you would reconsider the proposal

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that voters should be not less than 25 youre of age and candidates for the Council not less than 30 years of age. As the right to vote is to be dependent upon literacy as well as property or jury qu. liric tion I uk not convinced that there are grounds in either cust for a higher age qualification than 21.

In ing pore this age is being adopted both se the qualific: tion for voting and for membership of the Council.

Retention

of the age of 30 as the dialman for membership aight deprive the trade unions, for exemple, of the right

to nominate their best reprüsentative,

(e) While accepting the property or jury qualification for

the franchise for the present I should wish this gcndition to be kept under review 38 cðucution sprevda and illiteracy is Psünged onu in any event to be reconsidered before the second elections to the Council. (f) I assume from the lest sub-paragraph of paragraph 29 of

your despatch No. 145 that the property qualification is limited to the franchise and do not intended to bu a CoLdition of eligibility for membership.

(See Sir T Lloyd's minute at 12.12.46)

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