CO537-2188 — Page 56

69. Extract from letter reed at Chatham House from China - 9.5.my

(orig. on 54145/10/47)

Hazlerigg

28.5.47

·7.6.47.

W. Sir. A. Grantham

9.6.my

72 %% Sir a.

a. Grantham

12-6. 4Y.

16-6-17.

13-6-44

73. To Sir A. Grantham

14. Hong Kong. Tel. 997 Secret

1

75. Hong Kong - Secret Saving

32

75". Summary of A Moms on Trade Unionism in H. K. 76. Hong Kong - Amp. Jel 1026 Secret

-

77. Sir Or. Grantham

Yo! To his mark

19. Propond amendments to the Droft Const. Deep. (16.63) 80. To L.N. Helsby Esq. Jeasury,

+

19-647

20-6-47 20.6.47

25-641

Sir Mark Young came to the Office yesterday morning and discussed at length with Mr. Seel and myself the draft of the Constitution despatch at No.63. As a result of this discussion a number of amendments are now proposed to that draft. These amendments, together with the reasons for them, are set out in detail in the note attached at No.79. I also submit at No.8 a revised draft despatch embodying all the amendments proposed in the note.

2.

In our discussion with Sir Mark Young, it was clear that he had in mind something more than a delegation of powers to the Municipality, in fact much more of an actual transfer subject only to the safeguards set out in paragraph 42 of his despatch at No.69 on 54145/4/46 Part 2. In matters of finance, also, Sir Mark Young had definitely in mind that fairly extensive powers in regard to taxation should be transferred to the Municipal Council, (In fact, as stated in (h) of his telegram at No.19). Sir Mark Young had very much in mind that if the Municipal Council is given less than these powers, there is a very real danger that people locally will be led to suppose that the Municipal Council is rather a sham body holding the shadow but not the reality of power, and lose all interest in it on that account.

3.

With the greatest respect, and whilst fully realising the need for making the Municipal Council a success from the start, I cannot feel that we should be really justified in handing over

7

to