CO129-433 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [5-6] — Page 220

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Government had no such unworthy motive. In asking the Press to publish the correspondence it acted merely on a suggestion made by jár. H. W. Looker, the head of the leading fina of Solicitors in Hongkong, who was no doubt actuated by the sound principle that it is wise for a man to hear both sides of a question be-

-fore arriving at a decision,

11.

I enclose copy of the questions put by Mr.

Pollock at the Meeting of the Legislative Council to which he

refers in paragraph 5 of his letter, and of my answer thereto. I do not consider that there is any weight in the argument that an increase in the Un-official element in the Executive and Legislo-

-tive Councils is necessary for the purpose of dealing with trade

ond shipping problems which may arise in anticipation of the closing of the war.

The Mercantile Community has ample merns through the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce and otherwise of

making any suggestions they desire on questions which must obviously be dealt with by His Majesty's Government on lines of Imperial

policy and canot be left to the Legislature of a Crown Colony.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Amag

Governor,&c..