The Bonghong Government
At the same time I see nothing obstructive or prejudical in the presence of two Unofficial Members, and as the step has been taken, I would not revoke it; but I would not enlarge the number, or at any rate go beyond three, more especially when consideration is given to what I have stated above, with reference to the small portion of the Colonial Revenue with which the Council has to deal,
As regards the the filling up these seats as vacancies occur (and one is already vacant, see Colonial Regulations, cap. 11, 1, 7.) I would adopt some such plan as that contained in luclosure I to Despatch No. 110, above referred to.
But I would exclude Foreigners from the Electoral Body, and on no account permit the right of franchise to a Chinese. To those practically acquainted with the Chinese character, it is nanecessary to say anything on this head, and to others I would fail in finding intelligible words.
I would omit the conclusion of clause 7 in the plan, as I can con- ceive an occasion on which the public might wish to elect a subor dinate official if useful and intelligent; and I see no reason either for interfering with the right of the Electors to elect whom they please, er for preventing a respectable official from occupying that position
in which the public consider he could render good service to them.
RATE.
Gazrite.
[MARCH 2, 1857.
Memorandum of TENEMENTS,-Continued.
CLASS.
NUMBER.
TOTAL.
1349
148
ន
Brought forward,
British
£40 and upwards
Foreign
Chinese ...
British
410
650
***
186
TOTAL, Foreign...
176
Chinese
1637
GRAND TOTAL,................
1999
(Signed)
J. C. POWER, Police Rate Assessor.
(True copy,)
I have no fear of any undue influence on either side being used 1st April, 1856. in this respect.
Thus 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 itself, as now 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 here suggested by me, the number of Electors would be about 75, of whom about 45 would be present to vote, and as the population is about 70,000, the proportion is 1 in 1,000; but taking the Jury List as the European population, to this the proportion would be about 1 to 2; and of these, taking the British Subjects present and voting, rather more than I in 3,
As I have stated, British Subjects only should vote, and the large and preponderating number of Foreigners resident in the Island is to my mind an argument against, instead of for, their admission to influential privileges in a British colony.
1 think that all the heads of Executive departments should have seats in the Legislative Council, excepting always when such
Inclosure 3-Despatch 49.
W. T. MEROer, Colonial Secretary,
Memorandum of INDIVIDUALS paying CROWN REVI, abstracted from the RENT ROLL of 25th December, 1855.
£10
£20
£30
£40
TOTAL.
British Subjects, -
Foreigners,
8
2
5
54
69
7
4
3
16
30
Chinese,....
14
6
4 18
42
TOTAL,
29
12
12
88
141
(Signed)
J. C. POWER, Clerk of Deed Registry.
(True copy,)
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
heads happen to be foreigners, when I would sanction their presence, SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, VICTORIA, but withhold the power of voting in the Council,
In the colony of Mauritius, I see that all Naturalization Ordi-
The Councils then I would recommend, as given in clauses 4 and
nances specially exclude the privilege of sitting in Conseil.
5 of the plan enclosed in Sir John Bowring's Despatch No. 110, of 2d August, 1855, with this exception, that the number of Un- official Members of the Legislative should be reduced to 3 for the reasons I have given.
I would follow the plan generally, saving the objections which I have put forward in this Memorandum.
I am also anxious to take this opportunity of observing, that I am convinced that an error was made when the duties of Colonial Surgeon were virtually abolished, and confided to the charge of a Military Medical Officer. I think £1,000 a year, and even perhaps a seat in the Legislative, would be well bestowed on an efficient Surgeon, with, not an injunction.—for this might be inconsistent with his professional obligation, but an understanding, that he was not to engage in private practice. I am certain that powers to enforce sanitary measures conferred on and exercised by an intelligent and energetic medical officer, would be very instrumental in assisting in many ways the progress of the colony.
No. 82.
31st March, 1856.
DOWNING STREET, July 29th, 1856. SIR, I have carefully considered your Despatch No 49, of 26th March last, in connection with previous correspondence on the same subject; and however reluctant to overrule your opinion, I have decided against the proposal which you have made, to introduce the Representative element into the Government of Hongkong.
2. I appreciate as highly as it is possible to do the value of repre- sentative institutions, but I am at the same time mindful of the conditious, which experience has proved to be essential for their good working.
3. I believe that the present is the first proposal that has been made for introducing those institutions amongst an Asiatic popula tion, containing but a very small proportion of British or even European residents: I have, therefore, thought it the more neces-
The above Memorandum, written after mature reflection, is sub-sary to weigh carefully the reasons for and against it. mitted, with all respect, for the consideration of His Excellency, The Governor.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary. Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 6th March, 1856.
Inclosure 2,-Despatch 49.
Memorandum of TENEMENTS assessed for POLICE RATE
RATE.
NUMBER.
TOTAL
CLASS
British
18
£10 and under £20
Foreign...
17
Chinese
308
433
British
4
£20 and under £30
Foreig
19
Chinese ...
British
408
43)
16
£30 and under €10
Foreign...
40
Chiacse
421
485
Carried forward,
1349
4. The testimony of those best acquainted with them, represent the Chinese race as endowed with much intelligence, but as very defi- cient in the most essential elements of morality. The Chinese popu- lation of Hongkong is, with perhaps a few honourable exceptions, admitted to stand very low in this respect.
5. The information which I have received from you, does not lead me to suppose that education has made such progress among the youthful population, as to give promise that the next generation will be much superior to the present in moral culture. In regard there- fore, to the proposal to confer the elective franchise on a consti- tuency, of which the majority would be Chinese, I have to consider, whether men why have not, either from moral principle or traditional iuuences, acquired a respect for the main principles on which social order rests, are likely to use such a privilege in a manner useful to themselves, or to the community at large.
6. I cannot assent to such a conclusion.
7. If, on the other hand, the franchise were to be so restricted as practically to exclude the Chinese and Asiatic population, and to secure a preponderance to the British residents, I should apprehend from that arrangement future discontent on grounds that seem to be well founded.
8. Few if any of the British residents in Hongkong are persons who go to establish themselves and their descendauts permanently in that place; they merely sojourn there during a luited time, engaged in commercial or professional pursuits, but intending to quit the colony as soon as circumstances will permit.
9. Tu whatever extent the control of local affairs might be con- ferred on this class by the partial introduction of representative Government, the effect would be, to give power over the permanent population to temporary sestiers, differing from them in race, lan
MARCH 2, 1857.]
The Hongkong Government Gazette.
374
*panoe, and religion, and not influenced by their opinions. However consistently with the introduction of the Representative system; ru-pectable the character of the residents may be, I cannot believe but I see no reason to expect any considerable change of circum. that such an arrangement could work satisfactorily.
stances which could remove objections, now in my opinion insur-
10. If it were suggested, as indeed some passages in your de- mountable, spatch appear to suggest, that the object of introducing the system 15. There is nothing, however, in the views which I had ex- of election should be to afford to the Governor increased means of pressed, that should prevent you from conducting the affairs of the learning the wishes and feelings of the population, but without colony with the greatest regard to the feelings as well as the in- transferring to the Legislative Council increased power either interests of the population, where paramount considerations of a enacting laws or controling expenditure,-I should regard such a general nature do not interfere. scheme as liable to other and equally conclusive objections.
11. For the simple purpose of discovering the persons most competent to give advice as to public matters, the judgment of the officer administering the Government seems to me quite as good a test, in such a community as Hongkong, as public election, whe- ther under a restricted or an extended franchise, and except means of transition from the present system to one in which a as a considerable share of power should be given to the representative members of the Legislature, I am persuaded that such a system could not be established without creating future dissatisfaction.
12. If there were no other material objection to the change which you desire to introduce, I should regard the peculiar posi- tion of Hongkong as presenting an additional difficulty not easily to be got over.
13. The Island is held by the British Crown, not at all because of any natural advantages which it possesses, but simply as subsi- diary to the intercourse between the British and the Chinese Empires. In this point of view it is of great importance. Great commercial interests and the future progress of civilization throughout the East are to a great extent involved in the main tenance of British rule and of orderly government in Hongkong,
14. It is true that the government of such a dependency pre- sents some peculiar difficulties, arising not only from its internal condition, but its immediate neighbourhood to Chinese territory. I should be glad if I could believe that the time was near at hand when the most essential objects of government could be secured
sidents have been introduced into the Magistracy. If you should 16. You have alluded to the fact that, at Singapore, Chinese re- hereafter be able to select from the Chinese inhabitants persons deserving of confidence, whom you may think fit to hold this or any other administrative office, I should be willing to assent to cautiously made, and until considerable experience had been gain- such appointments. The experiment, however, should be very ed, I should not think it wise to place a Chinese in any position in which he could exercise authority alone, and without check on the part of British officials.
of the Legislative Council, if you should think that desirable; and 17. I can see no objection to a moderate increase in the number I approve of the steps which you have taken, in laying the Estimates public expenditure. before that body, and inviting their observations upon the items of
Government in conformity with the principles on which it ha 18. I shall, however, rely on your continuing to administer th been established, and not parting with that authority, which, when wisely exercised, I believe to be best calculated to secure the general welfare of a community placed in such exceptional condi tions. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
H. LABOUCHERE, Governor Sir JOHN BOWRING, &c., &c., &c. Hongkong.
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