protection and under Imperial control.
248
In saying this
much I am assuming that the self government would be worthy of the name, and that the elective system would include all ranks to the community but this is not what Those who framed it and signed the Petition demands.
it would, I gather, desire to place the power in the bands of select few, and to constitute a small
oligarchy, restricted by the lines of race.
To any
I consider that the well
such change I am opposed. being of the large majority of the inhabitants is more likely to be safeguarded by the Crown colony system under which, as far as possible, no distinction is made of rank or race, than by representation which would leave the bulk of the population wholely unrepresented. I can therefore hold out no hope that Hongkong will cease to be a Crown Colony-
16.
It remains to consider whether any steps can be taken which while not interfering with the Crown Colony system would slightly modify the existing constitution in the direction in which the petition points. There appears to be three practical suggestions which are worthy of consideration
(a) Increasing the number of the unofficial
members in the Legislative council
(b) Introducing an unofficial element into the
Executive Council.
(c) Creating a Municipal Council.
17.
As regards the first of thethrints, I am
A
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
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