CO129-433 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [5-6] — Page 270

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PETITION

For Greater Representation of the Public

Executive and Legislative Councils.

on the

To The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The Humble Petition of the under- signed British Residents in the Colony of Hongkong Showeth as follows:-

1.-Your Petitioners most respectfully submit for the gracious consideration of His Majesty The King that it is fitting and proper that the number of Unofficial Members on the Executive and Legislative Councils should be increased, and that the principle of election should be extended.

2. In the first place, in regard to the Executive Council, Your Petitioners would point out that there are only 2 Unofficial Members on that Council out of a total of 9 Members and also that those 2 Unofficial Members are appointed on the recommenda- tion or nomination of the Governor of this Colony, instead of being elected by bodies representative of the Public.

The Chamber of Commerce and the Non-Official Justices of the Peace for this Colony have long been recognized as representa- tives of the Publio for electoral purposes, those bodies having, since 1884, exercised the privilege of each of them electing 1 Unofficial Member to the Legislative Council; and we now petition that there may be 2 additional Unofficial Members on the Executive Council,

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