CO537-6046 — Page 8

but this is inevitable if direct elections on the lines which you propose in

to be held. I should therefore be glad if further consideration could be

given to the possibility of devising other mans, whereby the process for

selection of unofficial members of Legislative Council would be placed on

broader basis, in whica con-Hritish, as well as British, intereats could

participate. If it were found necessary, in order to cohieve this object,

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

election. Indeed such an arrangement, if it proved practicable, might avoid

the considerable delay which would certainly be necessitated if an electoral

law for Hong Kong for the Legislative Council had to be drafted and enacted,

electoral districts delimited, and the whole machinery for holding elections

set up.

In this connection, I am aware from my discussions with you that it

would be difficult under present circumstances to make the staff with

sufficient experience available for this work.

5.

I note that your proposals do not contemplate any further develop-

ment of the Urban Council at this stage until certai.... difficulties which are

dealt with in paragraphs 28 to 30 of your despatch under reply have been

resolved. But if it were decided to adopt a system of election to the

Legislature on some such alternative basis as that proposed in paragraph 4

above, I feel that it would be a matter of considerable importance that in

the management of Urban Council affairs the election of members, which has, -

I understand, been in abeyance since the last war, should be reintroduced and

the number of elected representatives possibly increased, I should also like

to see the franchise of the Urban Council extended to include British subjecta

even if they do not qualify under the provisions of Section 3 of Ordinance

Ko. 7 of 1935. Further, I would urge that sarlier steps than were contem-

plated in your despatch should be taken to devolve on the Urban Council to

the greatest extent conalstent with the avoidance of overlapping and

duplication, the real responsibility for Urban affairs. If the basis for the

appointment of members of the urban Council were suitably widened, there

might be advantage in associating that Council with the process for the

selection of members to the Legislative Council.

:

16.