459
to the House of Commons, as they have of course every
From this it is natural to infer that
right to do, they consider that they have grounds for discontent,
which the Secretary of State is unwilling or unable
to remove, and that they wish to emphasise in a
suitable and reasonable manner the objections which
they feel to the existing system.
4. They ask that subject to Imperial "checks
and safeguards" they may be granted:-
(a) "the free election of representatives of
"British nationality in the Legislative
"Council of the Colony."
(b) "a majority in the Council of such elected
representatives."
(c) "perfect freedom of debate for the official
(a)
#
"members with power to vote according to
"their conscientious convictions."
(d) "complete control in the Council over local
"expenditure."
(e) "the management of local affairs."
(f) "a consultative voice in questions of an
"Imperial character."
They quote the Colonies of Malta, Cyprus, Mauritius,
and British Honduras as enjoying more liberal forms
of Government than that under which they are themselves
living at Hongkong. They lay stress upon
the commercial energy which has raised the Colony
to its present position of importance; they claim
"the common right of Englishmen to manage their
"local affairs and control the expenditure of the
"colony"
:
459
to the House of Commons, as they have of course every
From this it is natural to infer that
right to do, they consider that they have grounds for discontent,
which the Secretary of State is unwilling or unable
to remove, and that they wish to emphasise in a
suitable and reasonable manner the objections which
they feel to the existing system.
4. They ask that subject to Imperial "checks
and safeguards" they may be granted:-
(a) "the free election of representatives of
"British nationality in the Legislative
"Council of the Colony.*
(b) "a majority in the Council of such elected
representatives."
(c) " perfect freedom of debate for the official
(a)
#
"members with power to vote according to
"their conscientious convictions."
complete control in the Council over local
"expenditure."
(e) "the management of local affairs.*
(f) "a consultative voice in questions of an
*Imperial character.
H
They quote the Colonies of Malta, Cyprus, Mauritius,
and British Honduras as enjoying more liberal forms
of Government than that under which they are them-
selves living at Hongkong. They lay stress upon
the commercial energy which has raised the Colony
to its present position of importance; they claim
"the common right of Englishmen to manage their
"local affairs and control the expenditure of the
"colony
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