468
I am not inclined to add to the number of the Unofficial members without at the same time increasing also the number of official members, for in a Crown Colony there must be a very distinct preponderance on the official side, and the natural result of evenly balancing the numbers of officials and unofficials is friction and irritation.
With this proviso there is, as far as I can judge, no strong objection to increasing the numbers of the Council, except that for practical working purposes the number is already sufficiently large.
If, however, an addition is made, it is difficult on equitable grounds to resist the conclusion that another Chinese representative should be appointed.
On the other hand, this is contrary to the wishes of the petitioners as far as I understand them; Mr Keswick who, in his interesting and temperate letter, which is enclosed in your despatch, advocates the appointment of an additional unofficial member to the Legislative Council, strongly deprecates "the addition to the Legislative Council of a second representative of the Chinese."
The balance of argument therefore appears to be against any change in the present number and composition of the Legislative Council.
18.
The second suggestion is that an unofficial member should be appointed to the Executive Council. The suggestion is made by Mr Keswick, and you state in your despatch that you have personally no objection to it, and that the concession would be very popular.
468
am not inclined to add to the number of the Un-
official members without at the same time increasing
also the number of official members, for in a
Crown Colony there must be a very distinct prepon-
derance on the official side, and the natural result
of evenly balancing the numbers of officials and
unofficials is friction and irritation.
With this proviso there is, as far as I ca
judge, no strong objection to increasing the numbers
of the Council, except that for practical working
purposes the number is already sufficiently large.
If, however, an addition is made, it is difficult
on equitable grounds to resist the conclusion that
another Chinese representative should be appointed.
On the other hand, this is contrary to the wishes
of the petitioners as far as I understand them;
Mr Keswick who, in his interesting and temperate
letter, which is enclosed in your despatch, advocates
the appointment of an additional unofficial member
and
to the Legislative Council, strongly deprecates
"the addition to the Legislative Council of a second
*representative of the Chinese."
The balance of argument therefore appears to
be against any change in the present number and
composition of the Legislative Council.
18.
The second suggestion is that an unofficial
member should be appointed to the Executive Council
The suggestion is made by Mr Keswick, and you state
in your despatch that you have personally no objec-
tion to it, and that the concession would be very
popular
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