CO129-462 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1920 [7-10] — Page 137

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can be no doubt that the proper method is, and must be for

years to come, nomination, as there is no representative body of Chinese which could be used as an electoral body. I have discussed the matter with prominent members of the community and they all advise that the system of nomination should be continued. There remain the non-Chinese members. In the first instance, I submit that the member for the Chamber of Commerce should be retained. The Chamber is the most important unofficial body here: it has enjoyed the right of electing a member for many years and on the whole has used it wisely. A proposal to deprive it of this privilege would be hotly resented and I see no reason for any change.

For all the remaining non-Chinese members I am in favour of election on a wide franchise, the existing privilege of the Justices of the Peace being abolished. After careful consideration I am of opinion that for the present at any rate no better electorate can be found than that suggested by the Constitutional Reform Association, i.e. those British subjects who are on the jury list or who, being qualified, have been exempted from jury service. I would, however, suggest two limitatione, (a) that no person should have a vote who has not resided in the Colony for at least two years; (b) that Government servants should not have votes. I think

it would be highly undesirable that there should be any possibility of pressure being brought to bear on a candidate for election to induce him to support the claims of individual Government servants or a body of Government servants in the event of his being returned as a member of Council and in so small a community as this, it is impossible to deny that such a risk would exist.

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I do not support the suggestion of the Constitutional Reform Association that one of the elected members should necessarily be of Portuguese race.

If any

such special provision was made it should be, I think, to the

effect

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