CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5] — Page 608

0711051/1926.

Paraphrase telegrm from the Secretary of State for the Colemies to the Governor of Hong Kong,

(Sant 4.p.m. 15th June 1926)

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588

Your telegra 29th May. Tacancies on Executive Council. I feel that proposal to appoint Chinese member requires serious consideration since if adopted it appears likely that the Colony would be committed for all time. It is possible that similar concension would be desanded in the Straits Settlements and I have thought it desirable to warn Sir L.Guillamard that the proposal is under dis- cussion. In the meantime before I come to a decision

I should be glad if you could furnish me with information

on the following points:-

(a) One of your armenta is that you feel we are bound sooner or later to concede claim to Chinese appoint-

ment. But what pressure is therefor such representation

and whence does the claim arise? I have no knowledge of

any serious claim to this effect.

(b) You also say that Hong Kong Chinese would derive very great pleasure from the appointment and that even in Camten the appointment might have a good effect. But I understand that in Hong Kong the Chinese community display little or no interest in such matters. Hereover I feel

doubtful of the effect in Canton. I realise that

Cantonese demanda have bami hitherte for elective repres- entation to Legislative Council but is there not some ground for thinking that the appointment would be attributed to the Boycott and that further demands would thus be encouraged? It samato me that it might be adtisable to let well alons especially in view of prospects of

settlement.

There