1919-01-10 — Page 8

REFORM ASSOCIATION.

MASS MEETING LAST NIGHT.

The Theatre Royal Hongkong was. crowiled lass might, to hear the speakers for the Constitutional Reform Aination's proposals regarding the coustitutiçan of the Legislative Council.

The Hoo. Mr. P. H. Holyoak presided, and was supported on the platform by the Hon. Mr. H. E Pollock, K.C.. Masura.

G. Alabaster, F. B. L. Bowley, A. G. Coppin, 38 D. Consland, Andrew Forbes, J. W. Graham, A, E, Grifin, E. Ormiston L. Pattendun, C. E. P. Kay, J. A. Plummer, A. Ritchie, D. Templeton, C, D. Wilkinson, J. P. Bragn, and E. A. A. Williams, Dr. C. Forsyth and Mr. E. B. L. Dowbiggin (Hon. Sec.).

THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH. The CHAIRMAN' said: Gentlemen: We have met to consider a proposal for reform.. ing the unofficial representatier on the "Legislative Council in this Colony,. It is quod many years since the subject was first mocted by my han. Iriend on the right, (Mr. Pollock)-Applause-and, as you know, petitions have been sent home upon the site subject which met with refusal. On the last occasion we should have carried the matter further but for the fact that we were engaged upon the great world-wide war, and rightly o wrongly, as things may be conceived-we thought it wise to hold our hands in order that we might not in any manner what- sover prejudice our awn case or embarass either the Government of this Colony or the Home officials by pressing the matter which.. after all, was one of domestic reform. The war, happily, has now been triumphantly finished (Applause) and we are free to consider those cuestions which most intimately concern us. not only at home but in the distant parts of our Empire, of which Hongkong is not an insignificant unit, Our present system of government has been aptly described as

bilnerölent

despotism"

or AS

benevolent autocracy." (Applause). Well, gentlemen, there is much to be said fer this form of government in distant parts of our Empire which must include permanent officials, when they are per manent, and the carrying on of a con aistent policy from year to year. We do not in any sense seek to disturb that when we say that the hour has come when a greater view in the domestic policy of this Colony should be allowed to the British residents of it. (Applause). It cannot he too clearly stated that we do not week. and have never sought to interfere in Any degree whatsoever with any part of what might be called the Imperis policy of the British nation na dictated from Home for the benefit of the whole Empire (Applause-and I do not hesitate to

say that in no part of the Empire will more loyal subjects

Britis

Crown be found than in Hongkong. (Applause.) At the same time that should cot deter us from

of the

a survey of the situation and con-

That can be done to bring about

a larger restaure of representation upon the Legislative Council to deal with such questions as the Hospitals, Police, Sani- tary Board,

nt of

Tonal

repre-

you that

this

I

My upurienes at the Legislative Council is nothing like so long as that of my honourable friend on the right who will corroborate what I say.-Upon- every orension that the Govárnuüent. “Seça. fic to refiisen reablution proposed by the unofficial members of the Council, and directly that announcement has been" made, the official vote is automatically registered against it, which always moons that the resolution must be defeated. If am perfectly well aware that the "full facts of the debate are at once sent Home to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, by His Excellency the Governor, but it is equally true that the debate is accom- panied by a private dispatch—ng least I infer that it is from His Excellency. which is not laid upon the table, and can- not be called for, and, therefore, is never public either to members of the Legislative Council who have debated the subject or to the members of the general public who are deeply interested in it. It is comman kaowledge that the official vote has been used on many pecasions, aver during the time I have been connected with the Cou cil, to defeat what were the considered views, cet only of the Chamber of Com merce, whom I have the honour to repre- sent, but of the community itself. The first case I can recall in my own experi ence was the frustration by the official vote of our attempt to destroy German attempt to pass a resolution, premature trade marks. In the second case,

though it may have been, that the Ger- for a period of years was defeated and mans should not be allowed in the Colony ridiculed by the oficial vote. (Applause): Albeit, gentlemen, since then, resolutions, on.similar lines have been adopted and carried in almost every pars of the British Empire and they seem likely to be enforced. (Applause). Again, gentlemen,

an

could conceive that if we had had an unofficial majority to deal with the ques- tion of the servics dollar, it would not have remained so long undecided as it did.

The unofficial members of the Legislative and Executive Council under- took, on behalf of the Colony, to bear the cost which would have been involved had the services salaries been paid at the exchange rate of 2 shillings After months of discussion the arrangement then aug- gexted his at last been agreed to. Applause). I have stated, gentlemen, that there is no animosity on my part in piling up the examples of official state them that I may prove to you the antagonism to popular demand. I merely desirability and advisability of having an unafacial majority. It is obviously a different thing to pass a vote in Council by a majority of one vote than to have it defeated by an officia majority, and to have an explanation privately dispatched. to show why it was defeated. There have, been many occasions, in connection with what I call purely domestic affairs in this Colony, such as the calling, for the sake of example, for a Commission to enquire into the hospital administration here, which is not above reproach (applause) or into any of the other public services," where unalficial propseals have been auto- patically turned down by the official majority. When dealing with cuestions which affect the welfare, to some extent the very life of the individuals of the Colony, the Colony ought to be able to demand that, having asked for an enquiry, its wish should be granted (Applause). Neither questions nor demands for en- geiries are put lightly by anofficial mem fers. They involve a very great deal of. troable," and I cannot conceive, any un- official

member of the Legislative Council putting questions to the Government with- out being perfectly sure that thatters with: which those questions are concerned re-

•quire a good deal of investigation. Under present conditions the taking of the neos. gary trouble in framing those caquiries. is an extremely thankless job. It is with conadener I leave the resolutions in yoyr hands for while they perhaps may not be iden and I da, not say, they are, from evary point of view-they nevertheless represent a sincere and carefully consider ed effort to improve the conditions under which we live here, and to infuse into them more of that liberty of action and of self-Government which is our birth-right. (Applause).

MR POLLOCK SECONDS THE RESOLUTIONS.

THE CHINA MAIL,

tion of "making, a speecht because, he had other opportunities of expressing his vidwa. (Laughter). He was constrained however, to move another, amendment. because of the amendment which had just. been submitted. He proposed that clause 3 of the

of the runtutions should read:

***That of the xovon elected unofficial members, tali, of whom shall be. British subjects) one shall be elected by the Hongkang General Chamber of Cons merce; one by the Justices of the Penest four (three of whom shall be of British race and one of "Portuguese RCB) by British subjects who are 'jurymen, orare. qualified for but exempt from jazy service; and one by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, or some athar: body representative of the Chinese com munity:

the forni of the kylslive body, which 3. Frost secondes the amendment draws up our laws, and which controls the EA. CARTWRIOT, who announced dispositions of our revenue (Applause) he had another amendment to propose, I think, gentlemen, that this must appen!" was then invited on to the platform. He to you as being a sous proposition, Supanid he had pot come there with the inten posing that a critic has suggested that wo have able and thoroughly efficient por manent aficials in this Colony to carry on the Government. There are also able and permanent officials at Home in Great Britain, but I have never heard such an argument. put forward is opposition to &proposal with regard to representa tion in the House of Commons. You mor anly have the permanent affcials at Home: working in the Government offices, bat you also have boyond that the representa tion of the people in the people's house, the House of Commons. (Applause): Applying that principle by analogy herer I think we ought to have an unofficial- majority in the Legistative Council of this Colony. As my honourable friend.. the Chairman, pointed out, there is no question in the minds of anyone of us to interfere with the naval and military policy of the Empire. That policy must be treated as one, and that policy will, in the future, as in the past; be directed the naval and military experts at Home You may be quite certain that the un- official members of the Council will. always support the policy which tends to the good of the Empire and to the. I think that nobody would venture to defence of the Empire (Applaitse).

has

*made in this war in men, money

had

materials, this Colony are deferent in met af

in patriotism or in their devotion

to the Empire. plause) In asking for

an An unofficial "Colony, we this

not we are for anything without precedent. aking in In the

the Colonies of British

GUIADA Rad Cyprus, British Honduras which Inat obtained an unofficial majority late as 1913-you will find the precedent, for they have

have all been granted unoficial majorities. If those Colonies have a uncficial majority, I do

do not see why an unofficial majority also. Gentlemen, Hongkong should not be provided with about a yeational Reform Association":

ago, when the last meeting

Coco After the contributions which, the

the

20

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, IND.

CONFERENCE.

NORTHERN PARTY LEAVES

FÖR NÄNKING.NE.

not kept pace with that great commercial CHINA'S PEACE and popular progress. (Applause). It is a rusty system and has survived the era of its usefulness. Busty and worn-out, it requires to be thoroughly overhauled" and parts of it.ace it only for the scrap heap. (Applauss) That part of the sxstern mostly in need of the scrap-heap is that which is based on the outrageous fallacy that a section of the Empire with a predominantly allen population cannot be fairly governed according to the tradi, tional principles of British justice with out first disfranchising the English, Scotch, Welsh and Irish, who have made Bath, are making the Colony what it is, and who in times of war and other dan- gers are expected to shoulder the main burden of defence. (Hear, hear). Gen tlemen, we do not even ask that the Colony's Charter should be revised. That Charter provides that there shall be a Legislative Council and that it shall conia sist of such persons as may be indicated in instractions issued from time to time. ander the Royal Sign Manual and Bignet. During the course of the Colony's growth these instructions have been attended many times. The last time they were attended, they were amended to give an opportunity for Chinese representation in the Council, so it is time for every section" of the community to claim consideration. in their turn. We now ask that the electivo principle already recognised for the last 25 years in the case of two mem- bers should be extended to cover the selec

The Northera delegation departed from Puking in a special train for await the arrival of the Southern dole- Nanking on December 28, there to gates. This procedure, more than any other, indicates the Government's de termination to cure pesco if possible." Moreover, it axpresses an optimism which is perhaps jastided. The ads memcira presented two weeks ago by the asscoated Forsign Governments to both parties made them profess to realize the importance of settlingtheir difference promptly and the fact that another Allied noto is felt to be pending is further reason for declining to permit. trifling differences of opinion to stand ia the way of an oarly settlement

The last speaker (Mr. McGuigan) bad said that no politician in England would. dare to go before a British audience and move that any Chamber of Commerco should return a member to the, Hausa, of Commons. This was perfectly true, but," at the same time, there was a University vote which had not been withdrawn, even under the wide schemat of electoral reform, which had just been carried in Great Britain The Chamber of Commerce and the Justices of the Peace were composed. of a sabatantis) and enlightened section of the community and their representa tion might, therefore, be regarded as analogous to the University vote in Great Britain. Their representation had been granted a long time ago, and it was not the custom of the British people to do away with institutions of long standing unless they were found to be mischievous: It must be admitted that the ecmmeres of this Colony was so important that it was entitled to direct representation lation of at least seven members. Of this the Lexislative Council. (Applinse)

Mr. M. Alves, in seconding the "amendment, said he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which contained less than 200 members, and he had thought it funny on reading the resolution in the papers, that anch a small body should wish was held, I pledged myself to bring for to provide itself with two heads. ward a motion for Constitutional Reform (Laughter). That was not natural but as 3000 as the end of the war wis in phenomenal. There was another reason sight, and I am particularly happy to

why one member for the Chamber of Com came before you this evening and to re-

neree was there than enough.. Load deem my pledge. I have much pleasure

laughter). The members of the Chancher in seconding the resolutions which have eligible for election, but the chanes were and of the Justices of the Peace were all been proposed by the Chairman. (Apinvariably with the Peakites.. plause.)

thought that the Peakites should be satis. fied with two adats on the Legislative Council, and allow the transference of the

AMENDMENTS TO THE

RESOLUTIONS.

The CHAIRMAN having announced thating member to Kowloon,

the resolutions were open for discussion, Mr. J. Meluigan stated that he wish ed to move as an amendment that the third rosolution should be altered to read as follows:-

That of the acven dected anofficial memberu (all of whom shall be British subjects) one shall be elected by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce or some other body representative of the Chinese Couraunity, one by the British

subjects of the Portuguese egg- Drunity, and the remaining five by British Aubjects of pure European des cent upon' a franchise similar to that noe in use for elections to the British

House of Commons.”

He.

Leo d'Almada said he wished, i the first place, to extend, to the Com mittes of the Constitutional Reform Association the thanks of his community for their suggestion that the proposal for the reform of the Council should include the election of a member of the Portuguese. community. Continuing, Mr. d'Almado zaid bat as this was a public meeting to which aliens were admitted, and, in view of the fact that the members. of the Chamber of Commerce, among whom

included werg

skien aub

2

jeats were given the right to elect representative, and Inasmuch the Chinese community would have the right to vote for their own member, he failed to see why the Portuguese member. Portuguese community.The Portuguese suggested should not be elected by the

island, and although some of them were here the Erst foreigners to settle on this net technically British subjects, they were hadcntitled, nevertheless to ece that their interests were properly safeguarded r that not suggest that their inteteats hot not been safeguarded in the past. because the British Governinen always. looked to the interests of all under their tian" If we are going to have a fras- without, " fear, favour or affec- chiss at all," he concluded, let us have, by all means, government of the people, For the people, and by the people.

This amendment was

Being invited to the platform Mr Me Guigan remarked that the speeches, both of the Chairman and of Mr. Pollock semed to him to be in invour of amendment rather than of the resolution itself, in that the speakers Find mold that the resolution was

aimed

obtaining representatives of the public on the Council. He was quite in agreement of the resolution which the

Portuguese. Owing

with that portional representation of

the

to the peculiar circumstances, of race and (Applause), corded by Mr.)

to

Administra tions, Housing of dealing with Revenite raised within the and the question Colony, and as to the proportion of it which should be devoted respectively to Imperial

the one hand, and nectis,

the On the Colony

other on the The majority of these.nges. tions are always decit with at Home by some such body as a Manicipal Council Reference has recently been made in the Press to the question of Chinese scatation. I 1-may frankly we considered these resolutions very fully and were largely influenced at the outset of affairs in not inviting the Chinese to take a part in this appeal because less than

two years ago they were invited, through their authorised mem bers, nominated by the Government to join our petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonics for an elective re- presentation intend of a nominative re- Gave re- presentation. At that time

chose, me they through their own members, to write to the Government and say that they did not desire to take part in the request. Well.

Mr. POLLOCK, in seconding the resolu gentlemen, in the last few days tions, said I do not speak from they have apparently, held various meet anal experience of the Legislative Cotin- ings at the Chinese Chamber of Comcil, because I may remind you that of the merce, and we have learnt, somewhat to

30 years which I have resided in the our surprise, that there is desire among Colony, during оде half the Chinese for more representation, and."

period I have occupied the рові being progressive body, it was but

tion of member of the Legislative natural that we should fncorporate in

Council, either on the official sida our own ideala- what appeared to be a

as acting Attorney General, or as a re- arescutative of the public. (Applause). fair thing for the Chinese also."

Therefore, when I approach a question. of this sort I am not speaking without ample experience behind me. · As our Chairman has pointed out, you have two questions to consider this evening-one is the question cf election of unofficial mem- bers fratead of their nomination by the Government and the other is the securing of an unofficial majority on the Legisla ciple that the public ought to have the tive Council. With regard to the prin- right to clect its own representatives upon. the Legislative Council I cannot imagine

City that any thinking person can have more other questions, there was an evident need than one view: nainly that the representa lor, such change in the personnel of the tives of the public should be elected by.. Legislative Council as the public. (Applause). With regard to

in the conditions of would reflect itself secaring the anofficial majority on the

people. It Legislative Council, i will be within the

no good making changes unlem the

condi knowledge of many of you that a petition did the public want a vastly

tions were going to be changed. was sent Home by the nearly three years

Increased go to the Secretary of State for the

supply of better house at lower rents, Colonies, Cince then the Constitutionul

bousehold commodities as the cheapest Reform Association has been formed and

"Do Possible rate.

your interests in I can assure you that the Committee of

rospect harmonise particularly well the Association, in framing the resolutions

bts

war.

The resolutions which I have to propost to you deal with two wide principles. The first is the principle of election peras nomination by the Government for all unofficials save the two Chinese members The second

is to ensure that the wishes of the public on all public and Incil or domestic queations shall be car- ried out.

think that this Government failed to realise, not unly before the

but

pecially more

mince the war broke out and the Home Government in consequence, has also failed to realism. that there is such a thing publie opinion in this Colony (Applause.) The large assembly gathered here this even- ing. I think, is a proof of the fact that public opinion cannot, and will not be irnored (Applause.) The resolutions which I have to propose are as follows:

"That this public meeting of Hong kong residents, whilst afirming its un swerving loyalty to the Crown and Empire. ia of opinion that the instruc- tion to His Excellency the Governor. re- Latire to the mode of election of the Legislativa Council require amendment in such a way as to secure

of

C. A. da Rezn.

MR ALABASTER'S REPLY.

and gentlemen, the tumultuous applause Mr. ALABASTER aid Mr. Chairmant which has-greeted Mr MeGaigan's amandment shows

"seven we consider that the Chamber of Commerce has done nothing in the past to forfeit ta right to continue to elect a commercial representative. (Applause), This is a part of the world which is pri-

marily dependent on commerce, and as long as the Chamber of Commerce cong tinues to elect members of the calibre-of the late Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewitt and the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak we have 20 Again, the Justices of the Pence have in reason to ask for a change. (Applade)

the past selected worthy representatives. I need only mention the names of the Hon. Mr. Murray Stewart and the Hen Mr. H. E. Pollock to show you that we ought to be satisfied with the intelligence. (Applause). But the body which has the and judgment of the Justices of the Fence.

greatest claim to recognition, and which has already been spoken of in the amend- ment which we all support, is that of the Jurors of Hongkong and, these, who are exempt from juzy service, by reason of their professions, trades or occupations. (Applause). Especially is this so in the case of those who are on the jury list. As representatives of law and order they. without remuneration, to arduous duty perform cheerfully and conscientiously

in the Administration" of, British Justice. which is the basis of the whole fabric of the British Empire. (Applause). In fact, so well qualified are the jurors of Hong- kong for the performance of their import ant daties that, under the laws of the Colony, even in a case of life and death, we do not require more than seven men to do the work which in the Mother: Country cannot be entrusted to less than £welve. -(Applause)- I have given you some reason why we should insist that. the bulk of the members should be of British race. A considerable section of the jurors trace their ancestry to those. pioneers of civilisation, the Portuguese. (Applause), They also have big interests and points of view of their own which can-- fairly be ignored, and they form an not essential part of the Commercial Com-. munity. We are therefore prepared to reserve one seat for a Britian subjecs of the

Portuguese race, and think that though he is elected by the whole of the British Community he could nevertheless place the point of view of this patriots before the Legislative Council as as two Chinese members who are

(Laugh

with the ideals that we all sympathise wominated by a single Irishman

trc

"com".

asked for

ChinCEO

and

language, perhaps it was necessary that those two communities should have separ. ate and distinct representation, but he thought there had been Casc utade out for the separate representation of varions sections of the British community. bad

long and bitter

struggle get rid of class representation in Great Britain,

but they had

had succeeded at last, and there was no reason why there should

some of us is realise that ideals are

ter and applause) Nobody bad yet said not always obtainable at one jump. Ca The p bo class representation here that

that the two Chinese members nominated behalf of the Committee of this Associa pertied clases had not materially im

by a single Irishman did not represent the proved the condition of the masses at

tiou I am authorised to say that

Chinese community Until the other day Home, and at last the people

had

thair

accept and endorse

it was not noticed that we had left out. the amendment pro posed by Mr. Cartwright chance. It remained to be seen what they

I

of our resolution, the Chinese. We did to would do

propose Ho

so because in the clearest possible man- not think that

for supporting shy

ing that 40. case had h

ner they indicated to us that they did made out for the special

18. Mr. representation of the Chamber of Com

stated, is a public meeting, but reform. But within tices of the Peace. H or of the Justices

the last week, stirred it is a meeting held under the auspices doubtless. by our example, they have pass of the Constitutional Reform Association. a resolutions to the effect that they wish sised this because, at the representa ps were elected by the Charact Chamber of

No, member of this Association, and,

ono additional member, and that he Commerce and the Justices of

above all, no member of the Committee, should be clected by the Chinese Chamber be did not think they. would do

can therefore he expected, to be able to better than men

Well a similar class had support or to countenance any resolution of

of Commerce.

Waaro broad- done

on minded enough at. Home He thought that, in

which will have the slightest tendency to port them if that is their view. The view

to say that we will view

ank of subvert the peace and sanitary, or rather, slack of

Order of good society, or to cause the

'cause the slightest tremors been so recently put forward that undyiniz loyalty which was British wh. Chamber of Commerce, the Tauk

Hospital, or some other such body should the Em pire, and the Crown

choose the representative. Mr. d d'Almada reason we are unable, as the Con stitutional. Reform Association, to sup who are not British gubicota.[Mr

Dire br giving the vote. certain Chinese

t to place the governing power

d'Almada: I did not say anything of Colony in the hands of a people what tint, the Government at Home will be

sort]. I

are Mr d'Almada, ever

Ang. (Applause.) Colony if the

informed by the Government of the

be endangered, and The great characteristic of all British necess

give some re meeting but not wish to be associated with electoral:

of

the

any

desirous of peace and that the latter's Peking prefers to believe that Canton objections regarding location of the conference and the Government sup pression of tufei"ara niera apparent than real and are in fact designed to distract attention from the disinalous within the Military Government pro voked by the various parties intriguing for position Consequently, it i believed in Peking that no serious obsta cles will bar the path to peace, though of corso much will depend upon the personnel of the Southern delegation. The Government's decision, to appoint Dr. C. T. Wang, who went to Washing tou in the hose of enlisting recognition for the Southam Gavarument, to the Chinese pesce delegation in Europe is a further indication of Poking's concili atoriness, an impression which will be deepened by a similar appointmont being conferred on Dr. C. C. Wu.

COLONEL JOHN WARD AND

THE BOLSHEVISTS.

A dramatic incident which prentrert at Zema Station, in Central Siberia, on the night of the 16th Cetober, 1918, proves that Bolshevin is far From dead in Shera. The first Arion of the Allied contingent stemmed in and the driver of the train was immediately held up by armed men and threatened with shooting if he did not recale his post and join a strike which had just begun. An alarm by buglo counted promptly, and the troops turngt nut and took control of the station. After inquiry into the frustion the somaml ing officer marched a detachment into the town, surrounded the honse of the Jearler, and arrested him. * ཨཱཝཱ་

Papers were found showing that telegrams had been sent down the line & few hours before ordering a general strike of the working etaff of the rail-

WAY.

Incidentally, this leader, who was only an ordinary workman, Was found in possession of 3,600 roubles (£360) in new notes of a large denomina- tion, indicating a suspicious origin.. The commanding officer immerliutely poster?

proclamation declaring that all workmen were not posted at 6 o'clock next morning they would be arrested" 204 summarily fried by Court-martial.

Further iestigations clicited the startling Fet that there was a force of armed. Bolsbevista in the neighbour hood. Apparently when General Gaida" swapt eastward 800 of these pantry had escaped southward and circled back ward through the mountains, and they were now at some point south of Zoma.. The former Russian, Militia ei Zems were quite unprepared for eventualities, and were being dominated by the Bolshevist workmen when the Allied troops unexpectedly appeared on the

During the night, the troops occupied all the workshops and public buildings, and as a result of this show of fores the strikers returned to daty hext morning and resumed work, encouraged by the sight of bayonets. In view of the possibility of concerted action between the numerous armed Bolshevists in the town and those outaide the commanding arms by a fixed hour, after which ang. offer further ordered the surrender of body found with weapons would be dealt with by martial law, Under both Russian and Allied regulations the pently of disobedience in the circuma stances death, and the commending othcerndicated that, if necessary, he

sanitary arrangements (laughter) of thin or defection of the unswerving and we do not how yet whether the old not hesitate to inflict it

the educational problem and may

jects owo to, end feel to us for thinks that we are endangering the Frethe weatward transport of Allied troops,

that

port any resolution which has the

assure

Beir race may be, but who

ajto another for some reform Colony will he and order of

"the interests of the members of the CWe come hero,

the

It is evident that the projected afrike. was part of a deliberate plan to inter:, fere with the railway traff and stop

bridges over the Uca and the rivers: and the fact that there are important between Irkutskand Nijm Udinsk shows how neccauiry it is to take measure for the protection of the miway the workmen admitted that they striking only for political motives, and when it realized that their leader posrosse F it is difficult to avoid the concibalon that German intrigen was at the bottom of the whole incident

which are before you this evening, have Poo02 (houd laughter) Are you able. Throughout the Empikur hero omit the right of voting to British submoney. chviously improperly come by:

given them their most anxicus and care.

the

ber of Commerce or with the Justices of ennstitutions. ful consideration. (Applause). The in favour of such Chairman has said that the question of bean fighting these four years to make better, but

change Wo have constitutions ure ever constitutional retorn is an old one, and. the world'safe for democracy. Let be see

and ...far

that

I

M

Fasy are of Changing behalf of the Chinese, and, therefore we

Colony to have signed the petition hores Continuing, the speaker ez-present moment, The Mother Country

I am a sufficiently old resident of this That na regards all the unofficial members of the said Council (other than the two Chinese nominated mem bera) the principle of election instead of nomination shall be applied.

to it that we make flongzong safe for PUPP 1854, which was sent home to the then Marquis of Ripon. The answer which tation of the Chamber of: Sheretary of State for the Colonies, the weeping away of the

"the audience to presa for the

the separate

we received on that occasion was that the" of the. Justices or we

unofficial majority could not be granted hit Lord Ripon did make a suggestion, He suggested that a Municipal Council might be granted to this Colony. Well, gentlemen we have not been granted even

question whether the their own representar

represen

were to clock to leave the

plause.) do think that if were

It is anderstood that Colonel John Ward the Labour member for Stokn, was the commanding officer whose do viaire action so quickly put

ond to the incident in Siberia

Colonel Ward at least commanded. the British battalion concerned, the first detachment of which occupied the train

is that they are not inmatessary, safeguards will be introduced jects only. We are here not speaking on gradually, we are unable to have no right to curtail their demands.

ideals at

have great pleasure.in

supporting at the

Cartwright's amendment (Applause.) herself has not united for the conclusion The CHALIMAN: Mr. Alabaster has

fed in support of the world's most devastating war to

of the war to very ably replied overhaul and revise her own

solutions, bat be has failed to

point out OFA electoral svetem, and 2.

to give the vote

to you that the British Government at to

Home is not likely to support a resolu of men and women who never had it he

Théré

tion which gives a vote to a non-British thore, no valid reason. the selecting. The Chamely there is

we in distant but important subject in the Colony put somewhat arriving at Zems, when the engine-driver outpost of Empire should not ask "in surprised at the audacity of the request was held up by armed Bolshevists who the light of all the lessons the war has made by Mr d'Almada simply and solely threatened violence if he did not join d taught us to have our constitution because this in a British Colony (Afrike: Gur Correspondent said that tha overhauled, and revised (Applause) toge, and attempt such a thing in Trojected strika was part of a flellberste Seventy-eight years ago Hongkong

trol trackless

tradeless, the toolony of MAC Allied troops and desoribed how thế" disintegrating granite rock would be

considered for onet To-day, with her railways, motor-wark We are only prepared to support

commanding officer marched the man works, wharves, a Britial

British P Luguesa subject opported by into the town, regto the Jender dočká, she is one of the wild great

tuguese electorate promptly ordered the strikers back on entres of the world's trades (Apple) by an ports, and one of the great

The bating.

ARMAN THEM d'Almada'

pain of arrest and Court-martin, and knotion

by his resolute action put an end to an had a population of about, a million, by an

belrent which might have left his und. I believe that she has greit füini LAYE

hattalion cut off, both in rear and in below her of Commercial and political then carri

being put a substan

Colonel Ward's pall But I am acre,rom the the remainder affairs for which the full responsibility applause heard tonight on all the amend should rest on the authorities at Home, ments and resolutions, that we all feel

Conthe agreed

Degation of the mming of the trooptip But on questions affecting municipal ad- the constitution of our Legislative Counmoved by Mr After a vote

Tyndices of the South Athears eodat onded by in 1917 will be well remembered, and ho ministration the people should have their Weil by which Ten the Aystem which Mr.Dowbiggi

had previously distinguished humtelf by his servicos in France TTS

2-That the number of unofficial members shall be increased from 6 to 0. and that the timber of official members ahall remain aa at present, namely, A

3.That of the seven elected annffein members (all of who shall be British Bubjecta) two shall be ejected by the Hongkong General Chamber of Com merce one by the Justices of the Prace: throt (two of whom shall be of British rice and one of Portuguese race) by British Aublert who are are qualified for, but exempt freeing given or the rejection. I do not servien; und ane by the Chinese Gength to go again over the ground #bich'our handa of the British masses and he didel tram-ways, factorien.*

|

Municipal Council from that dato to this When in 1916 a petition for an unofficial majority on the Legislative Council went Home again to the Secretary of State for the Calodic Mr. Bonar Law it was rejected without any reaso

sufficient reasons why we should have in unofficial majority in this Colóny: Some track these suggestions by mying that we Poodle buve attampla. I believe, in side. should prese for a Municipal Council haf

Chairman has covered, but I can say with Chamber of Commerce, or winie other him that there are good, and valid, and body representailed of the Chinese com munity And in order fant d attention and consideration any be given giant duo and prompt tothe opinion thus publicly expressed this

thi refoluzion by alegram to is fear very much that if we were granted Majesty's Secretary of State for the Medicipal Council it would be ill subicet to Government Influence and can The reason, gentlemen for making fortrol. Therefore we are not ling

anticia majority of one, bridly in

that direction but are pressing to change

Chamber to do bers of Commerce in Great Britain were not particularly represented in Parlin ment, and he did not think that any man would dare face à British audience in the United Kingdom with a proposition such as had been put before them that evening The fate of the people of Britain,

and of the British Empire was, to day in the not think that British people.. the Sith and kin, et home. He quite Hongkong

were in any way inferior Agreĉu with the previous speakers who had

that, they not propose to

the

int3th matters relating to Im development ci

mit the equals by Governant to trane. I m not in favour of that course because the British fire

say.

governs, the selection of its membera hans i gang and the

very

was rejected

War

plan to stop the westward transport of