CO537-6046 — Page 109

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inhabitants of the Colony a fuller and more responsible

share in the management of their own affairs. I am

in general agreement with the view that in the changed

circumstances of Hong Kong Mr. Landale's conclusion

is not unreasonable.

4. I have noted with much satisfaction that your

proposals include recommendations for an Unofficial

Majority in the Legislative Council, and I share your

view that membership of the Council must be confined to

British subjects. The effect of The proposal that the

electorate must equally be limited to persons who are

prepared to establish their claim to be British subjects

have the effect in practice, of limiting

would

however, in practice would be to limit the proposed franchise

to a very small proportion of the present population of

Hong Kong, and for this reason I consider that it is open

to objection.With the object of dan:....

I should therefore be glad if further consideration could

be given to the possibility of devising other means, whereby

for the selection of

the process by wirich unofficial members of the Legislative Council would be placed on a broader basis, in which non-British, as well as British, interests could participate. If it were found necessary, in order to achieve this object,

I would not exclude from this review the adoption of some process of indirect election.

Indeed

orould not be appointment by the Governor after

(had he sleated

nomination by the body concerned, but aptual election

lach Selected

by the body. Election should also be by secret ballot.

That

Should

Such an arrangement would appear to me ensure that

while the candidates themselves would have to be British

subjects, non-British as well as British interests, in

Hong Kong would alike share the responsibility of choosing

their representatives in the Legislature. Noreover, such

preved

an arrangement, if it were felt to be practicable, might

avoid the considerable delay which would certainly be

necessitated if an electoral law for Hong Kong had to

/be