CO537-6046 — Page 39

(57) 1949ple

1

SECRET 54145/4/50

DRAFT DESPATCH

Sir,

2.

Spone copies

at back of file.

I have the honour to refer to your despatch

No. 155 of the 25th August, 1949, transmitting recommen-

dations for the amendment of the Constitution of Hong Kong.

Since my assumption of office I have been giving

these proposals very careful consideration, and I now

desire to inform you of some of the conclusions which I

have reached. Before doing so, however, I would like to

record my very real appreciation of the constructive

thought which has been put into the formulation of the

proposals recommended by you, not only by yourself but

by the Unofficial Members of Legislative Council and

other interested parties, who have contributed to this

scheme of constitutional reform. I do not at this

juncture desire to express my approval or otherwise of the

recommendations which you have made until you have had

an opportunity of considering with all concerned the

observations and suggestions made in the subsequent

paragraphs of this despatch.

3.

I have taken note of the view expressed by the

Unofficial Members of Legislative Council in conclusion

(a) of their motion on the 22nd June, 1949, that the

proposals made by Sir Mark Young involving the creation

of a Municipal Council, with minor modifications only of

the Constitution of the Legislature, are no longer con-

sidered to be the best means of giving the inhabitants

of the Colony a fuller and more responsible share in

the management of their own affairs. I am in general

Sir A. Granthe K.C.M.G.,

Hong Kong.