CO129-055 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [3-5] — Page 58

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that contained in Enclosure to Despatch No. 110 above referred to. But I would exclude Foreigners from the Electoral Body, and consider it prudent to permit the right of passive franchise to a limited extent. To those practically acquainted with the Chinese character, it is unnecessary to say anything on this hand, and to others I would find it difficult to express intelligible words.

I would omit the conclusion of Clause 7 in the plan, as being inexpedient.

On occasion when the public might wish to elect a subordinate official if useful and intelligent, and the more suitable for interfering with the right of the electors to elect Colonel Hay please, or for preventing a respectable official from occupying that position in which the public consider he could render good service to them.

I have, No. 110

influence

fear of any undue influence on either side being used in this respect.

Twas my idea is that the three Members and all the Electoral Body be bona fide British subjects.

In the Secretary of State's Despatch, objection is taken to the power proposed to be given to the Executive Council in revision of the Electoral Roll. Let then the power go to the Legislative Council, as is done in the case of the Jury List.

In Clause 2 of the Despatch, information is called for as to the probable number of Electors, and the proportion they would bear to the unrepresented classes of the population. On the plan I have suggested, hypothetically...