CO537-3703 — Page 18

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

Cypher (0.7.P.) COPT FOR REGISTRATION

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

D. 1st December, 1943.

Bo

No.11.06 Secret.

let

9

DEC 1918 LI

09.30 hrs.

JA

Your secret telegram No.1180. (18)

Constitutional changes.

1. I consider that there are grave objections to Government going back on its word and political capital would (repeat would) be made out of any such withdrawal.

2. In the opinion of my advisers with which I concur, political confusion in China would diminish rather than increase dangers to which Sir Mark Young referred in passage quoted in your telegram.

19.

3. At the same time, there are rany fundamental points in proposals already published regarding which criticism has been publiely voiced and, when Municipal Council Bill with its three accompanying bills are published, there will probably be counter proposals from Unofficial Kembers which would oblige me to defer proceeding further with the bille pending consideration of counter proposals in consultation with you.

(5)

1. Ag such counter proposals might include abandonment of Hunicipal Council project entirely, I do not (repeat not) think it advisable to proceed with selection of Town Clerk until ("group omitted) beames alearer.

Su (2)

4

5. I should be grateful for your consent to the publication, for general information, of the four dreft bills which have been amended on the lines suggested in your confidential despetch No.87. I would propose to take 174Tfe first reading six weeks after publication maless, in the interiu, Unofficial Mombers hač moved a resolation in the Council with their counter proposals.

Copies sent to:-

Foreign Office

Y. P.D. Qatos.

YAT 1039