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PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Dated 24th June.
(Received Colonial Office 12.15 p.m. 24th June, 1926)
86
Your telegram 15th June.
Possible disadvantages
to Executive Council itself of préposed appointment of Chinese member would appear to be as follows. These considerations do not of course apply to Chow but they must be weighed as regards future.
(a) There may be greater tendency to leakage of
information.
(b) Also perhaps greater danger of personal motives influencing the advice given.
(c) There may also be greater risk that member may
use for his own ends information obtained in Executive
Council.
(d) Racial matters would be discussed with less
freedom.
As regards (a) (b) and (c) these dangers would arise from the fact that the Chinese character displays
a different attitude to such matters. But they would not be new since it cannot be said that they have been entirely absent in the past and I think that the disadvantages are outweighed by the advantages. As regards (d) free discussion of racial questions will in my opinion always be possible with the best Chinese.
It is of course of great importance that a high standard of personal integrity and conduct should be set by the first holder of the appointment if made. I consider that Chow would leave his successors the best possible precedent and would fulfil these requirements in every way.
In
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