CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8] — Page 290

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

The Oligarchies are under guise of popular representation. But in most cases of this kind there has been either the tradition of an old constitution dating back into the days of slavery - this was the case with Jamaica - or there has at least been an old and considerable body of descendants of settlers who have some claim to call the soil their own - this was the case with Mauritius.

But is it conceivable that Hongkong, with its handful of English visitors - for they are no more than visitors - should be given an elective system from which the Chinese population will be excluded?

It seems to me the case has been put, to show that this kind of representation system is not suitable. Yes: the Nations or a portion of them are not so in Hongkong, and then petitions follow logically.

First, if there is to be an elective Assembly, it should predominate. Precedents could be shown where elected members are in a majority in the constitutions which prevail in the colonies. I think I am right in saying that it usually comes to them having their way, and from not being in a majority and not being responsible, they are probably the more violent and the more obstructive.

The claim is that it gives freedom to the official members to vote and speak as they like. You have a Crown Colony only to be the contrary, if you have any supposition of a grotesque absurdity.

The second claim is that there should be a stable majority in the Council of elected representatives. If you and I have an election, it follows that three members would be fractious and pointless to give them the power to vote on questions.

This cannot be clearly laid down. Indeed, whatever the Constitution is, if the government is composed against one another on questions of government, it is not good.

The fourth and fifth claims are control of "local expenditure" and management of local affairs. This looks like a vague assertion of Home Rule, but there is a certain amount of point in it from the fact...

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The Oligarchies are under guise of popular representation. But in most cases of this kind there has been either the tradition of an old constitution dating back into the days of slavery - this was the case with Jamaica - or there has at least been an old and considerable body of descendants of settlers who have some claim to call the soil their own - this was the case with Mauritius. But is it conceivable that Hongkong, with its handful of English visitors - for they are no more than visitors - should be given an elective system from which the Chinese population will be excluded? It seems to me the case has been put, to show that this kind of representation system is not suitable. Yes: the Nations or a portion of them are not so in Hongkong, and then petitions follow logically. First, if there is to be an elective Assembly, it should predominate. Precedents could be shown where elected members are in a majority in the constitutions which prevail in the colonies. I think I am right in saying that it usually comes to them having their way, and from not being in a majority and not being responsible, they are probably the more violent and the more obstructive. The claim is that it gives freedom to the official members to vote and speak as they like. You have a Crown Colony only to be the contrary, if you have any supposition of a grotesque absurdity. The second claim is that there should be a stable majority in the Council of elected representatives. If you and I have an election, it follows that three members would be fractious and pointless to give them the power to vote on questions. This cannot be clearly laid down. Indeed, whatever the Constitution is, if the government is composed against one another on questions of government, it is not good. The fourth and fifth claims are control of "local expenditure" and management of local affairs. This looks like a vague assertion of Home Rule, but there is a certain amount of point in it from the fact...
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the Oliganties are under guise of popular representation. But in most cases 7 this kind there has been either the tradition q an old constitution back into the days ind dating long of slavery - this was the case with Jamaica or there has at least been an old a considuable descendants body of desce settlers who have Some claim to call the soil their own- this was the case with Mauritius But Is it conceivable that Hongkong with its handful of English visitors for they are no more than visitors should be given an elective System from which the Chinese population will be an excluded." It seems to me the case has put, for to show that is kind is a Yes: the Nations or o portion of therm mie m thes [olving are vergined. as fit for a Representation systems not so in Itthon & then putitions Noh heaponly on the Andhrackass I think this follows logically first. If there is to be an elective 287 "Assembly, It should predominato. clement in the constitutions srich prevail in the colonies precedents could be shown. elected members without matting them but Alles I think I am right Among the various mongrel for having the a majority, Saying that it usually Come $ in to then having their way, and from not being in a majority and not being responsible, they are probably the more violent of the more obstructive. freedom to the official The Hind claim is members to vote & speak as they Crown Colony You have a only to be The contrary the if you any supposition of a grotesque alsundity The second claim is that there stably bella majority in the Council Council of such choombe ebrted representatives" If you and I have an election thrombu it femtom that three chembe shouted This tatter follow the first 26 would be fricatles a ready pointless to give I has been most have not see how the the mensibers com to vote questions! any like. of this cannot be. cleduly laid down. Indeed Constitution Whatever, I to CL go on if вверей it are to be free government is composing against one another on n government The fourth and fifth claims are control "local exp exfen dil f local affairs. assertion diture and management of This looks like a vague Home Rule ; but there is a intain amount of point in it from the fact
2026-05-27 12:01:47 · Baseline
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the

Oliganties are under

guise of popular representation.

But in most cases

7

this kind there has

been either the tradition

q

an old constitution

back into the days

ind dating long of slavery - this was the case with Jamaica

or there has at least been an old a considuable

descendants

body of desce

settlers who have

Some claim to call the soil their own- this was the case with Mauritius

But Is it conceivable that Hongkong with its handful of English visitors for

they

are no more than visitors should

be given

an elective

System from which

the Chinese population will be an excluded."

It seems to me the case has

put, for to show that

is kind is a

Yes: the Nations or o

portion of therm

mie m

thes

[olving are vergined. as fit for a

Representation systems

not so in Itthon &

then putitions

Noh heaponly

on the

Andhrackass I think this follows logically

first. If there is to be an elective 287

"Assembly,

It should predominato.

clement in the

constitutions srich

prevail in the colonies precedents could be shown. elected members without matting them

but Alles I think I am right

Among

the various

mongrel

for having

the

a majority,

Saying

that it usually

Come $

in

to then having

their way, and from not being in a majority and not being responsible, they are probably

the more violent of the more obstructive.

freedom

to the official

The Hind claim is

members to vote & speak as they Crown Colony

You

have a

only to be

The contrary

the

if you

any supposition of

a grotesque alsundity

The second claim is that there stably

bella

majority

in the Council

Council of

such

choombe

ebrted representatives" If you and I have an election thrombu it femtom that three chembe shouted This tatter follow the first 26 would be fricatles a ready pointless to give

I has been most

have

not see how the

the mensibers com

to vote

questions!

any

like.

of

this cannot be.

cleduly laid down. Indeed

Constitution Whatever, I

to

CL

go on if вверей

it are to be free

government is composing against

one another on

n government

The fourth and fifth claims are control

"local exp

exfen dil

f

local affairs.

assertion

diture and management of

This looks like a

vague

Home Rule ; but there is a

intain amount of point in it from the fact

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