1921-05-12 — Page 3

CONSTITUTIONAL

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 19TH. 1921.

REFORM.

HONGKONG'S "CLAIMS AGAIN

PRESENTED,

PETITION TO BE PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Fallowing the public meeting at the Theatre Royal, conyehed jointly by the Constitutional Reforms Association and the Kowloon Ratepayers' Association to protest against the recent decision of the

principles. In 1604 a similar petition. that which we now intend to present presented to the House of Commons and signed by most of the leading Tosi- nents of the Colony, in 188 the revenaa

petition was sent to the House of Com mons" asking for a more representative form of Güvernment, and it is our hope that this petition will be widely signed in the Colony, not only by members of the Association but by nil those who feel the Colony, was about two minions that the cause we are trying to forward is about eighteen mons

1804 the Colony consisted of the' isinud of Hongkong, wish wo motor rond, nud u sugail" promontory at maashui,

is

worthy of support-(Applause.) |

NEW CONSIGNMENTS

in

TERLING JILVER

OF

I believe this question is sometimes side tracked by people who say, "What do you want with an unofficial majority on there was a aw territory, The builds 10 WD. wo die assembley, was ok Legislative Council; why don't you go for municipal council!" One reason the great changer we

the sea frout and nobody could toretech would evolve. Council with such safeguarda na "ure is that the Legislative Council in Hong-

Now that we bare very portaut provided by the constitution of Ceylon. kung is to a very great extent a muni-

not be cimal council and performs those functions ion of the Empire we say the time is We do not see why we should

The way in which past for us to be absolutely con arvated with the same trust and coud-in a large measure.

as the colouy of public works expenditure on purely muni rolled, not over by the whim of

bund of officials because the voice of dence in this matter Ceylon; we claim to be equally loyat; wo cipal matters has risen in the last year the oustals is governed by the voice of or two is astonishing. In 100 (Mr. one man-but that we should no longer Constitutional Reform Association of caim that in the great war we, in this

in men, Pollock remarked) expenditure for public to departmentally governed. I ask you Hongkong bell its fourth annual general Colony, bore our fair share meeting last evening in the Theatre, and money, and every kind of effort in the works extraordinary was only 2 inillious to endorse theas, resolutions-(Applause) | out of 14 millions. For 1931, the ex- The resolutions were then put to the K..) gave an invitation to ali interested Dost emphatically that we should not be penditure under this head was nearly meeting and decured carried.

8 millions out of 14 millions, so that'ex-

Government to increase the rates, the

the Chairman (the Hon. Mr. Pollock,

in Constitutional Reform to remain while the resolution which were on the agenda

great struggle (applause) We think

treated differently from Ceylon."

In confirmation of his reference to perditure on public works extraordinary Con this subject were being discussed. Aylon, and the Straits Settlements as had doubled. Bus to this must be added sister colonies of Hongkong, Mr. Pollock 630,000, personal emoluments, and aid that a few years ago they were all 880,000 for public works recurrent; also

ednsiderable number of people did so and

1

withdrew later when the usual routine

three dealt with in the sumede-

uver half-a-million dollars voted for the bustness of the annual meeting came to parturit of the Colonist Office he did Sanitary Department-which might be be transacted by members of the Associa.not know whether that was still the case, considered municipal department, tion.

At all events, Thus, 7 millions out of 14 millions, or The following resolutions were on the but he believed it was.

they were closely connected in the matter 50 per cent. of the revenus for 1921 were agenda for consideration:-

ei promation of officials. A former spent on the P.W.D. and the Sanitary Governor of Hongkong became

the Department. He did not think those who Governer of Ceylon; the present G ver suggested that the Council had nothing to do with municipal matters, and that tha Association ought not to move for u reform of the Council, but for a municipal council, had made out a good case.-

(1) That all the non-Chinese member of the Legislasive Council be elected. 9) That a larger electoral body be

adopted in the ease of all such non- Chinese members, with the excup tion of the Representative of the Hongkong General Chamber of

Commerce,

3) That there be an 'nofficial majority on the Legislative Council with such safeguards as are provided in the Constitution of Ceylon.

1) That a petition be sent to the House

of Commons asking for the support of the Members in securing the above change in the Legislative Cofincil.

"

con-

THE CHAIRMAN'S SPERCH, The CHAPMAN in moving the resolu tions before the meeting said us to the Arm one, that all non-Chinese members of the Legislative, Council. be elected. that the system of nomination was a survival from antiquity and not sonant with the present age "I do not want to cast any reflections.", continued upon the gentlemen who Mr. Pollock, have been nominated by the Government to the Legislative Council from time to tume--I am not considering individuals but the system. The second point I wish to make is that a larger electoral body should be adopted in the case of all much- non-Chinese members with the exception of the representative of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce. Objection was taken just now to that exception but in a business community like this, which exists by reason of trade and of which trada and shipping are the life-blood, he Committee, upon careful considera- tion, thought it important that the repre sentative of the Chamber should be re- tained in order that the views of the Chamber upon commerce and shipping should be represented in the Council. I think there is such a representative ia. the case of the Straits Settlements.

The third resolution is that there be an unofficial majority on the legislative Council with such safeguards as are pro- vided in the constitution of Ceylon.. There are some people in the Colony who are rather inclined to lose heart on this

matter but if they will look round they will be indications that there is no rea Son for that, but on the contrary every

aur, Sir Edward Stubbs, came here rom the Colonial Secretaryship of Ceylon. Sir

Buckuill, formerly Attorney-General of Hongkong, went to the Straits Settle ments to be Chief Justice, and from the Straits Settlements this Colony received as Colonial Secretary, the gentleman now

(Applause.)

MR. C. G. "ALABASTER,'

Mr. G. G. ALABASTER, O.B.E., Administering the Government, the Hon. Gentlemen,-it gives me great

Mr. Cinud Severn.

To pans on to the Straits Settlements, a few months ago a committee was appointed by the Straity Government, voluntarily, and that committee of whom one of the members was the Attorney General-unanimously recommended that there should be an unofficial ntajority on the Council there. I would like to read you a few of the observations made in the report in support of that recom- mendation. Referring to the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements they say;

There is a sense of unreality about its debutes.

id:

ples

FORMAL BUSINESS.

The formal business of the meeting was then proceeded with, the Chairman presenting the annual report and state-

ment of accounts.

Me. Potocx pointed out that during the year the Association bad interested, itself in various matters of public inter- est la conjunction with the Kowloon Residents Association they had called that afternoon's public meeting on the question of rates and they looked forward to co-operating with them still further in the future. He had no doubt that in

the near future they would be able to find many subjects on which their co operation would be desirable, and he trusted that the combined voice of the

two organisations would carry due weight. as regards membership, they would see

that it stood at present at 288, and the Bure to second these resolutions. They

committee earnestly hoped that members are simpler than the resolutions of

would assist by getting in new members two years ago and for that very

and also by handing in their yearly sub- throk they will make B Jeason 1

that great sensescription of $1 to the Honorary Treasurer. greater appeal to of right which lies at the basis From the "statement of accounts they of ail loyal sentiment. The resolutions would observe that the Association start- of two years ago were complicated by ed the year with a balance of $174.50 and too much machinery. They pointed out finished up with cash balance of $200.02. a road, not necessarily the right rond,. He would like to express the gratitude but still a read by which our constitu- of the Association to the Honorary Tren

缘 little democracy surer (Mr. Williams); (and also to the Lion could have

knocked into it.

In these resolutions acting houorary treasurer. (Mr. Blair). wo point to the principle, and leave the He would also like to express the thanks road to be found by those at home who

of the committee and the members of the

The shadow of the official majority say that they are not convinced that Association to their Honorary Secretary hangs over its proceedings. There is any change is desirable. The principles (Mr. L. M. Whyte), who had worked very

in fact no debate; it serves mainly as for which we are working are wider re hard in their interests during the year. af opportunity for the airing of un-

population has no voice in the appoint

Mr. J. O. Hucers seconded the motion, which was carried nem con.

Mr. J. O. Hooиes, in proposing the re election of Mr. Pollock, as President of the Association, said he need not tell mem- bers the amount of work Mr. Pollock had

J

official views to which attention may or Presentation of the people made effecHe was glad to any that Mr. Whyte bad may not be paid at the discretion of the tive by their elected representatives in a kindly consented to stand again as Honor. Government. The real work of the un- majority, Without 1 majority their officials lies outside the Council as

voice is ineffectual, as Mr. McGuiganary Secretary, as also had Mr. Williams unofficial advisers to the Government;

Treasurer. He moved that the report he and of this the publie knows nothing pointed out earlier in the evening, and Sayeed to stand again as Honorary Its ostensible function as a deliberar unless elected they are not representa adopted and the accounts passed. Live assembly is merely one of form and | tive. The members of this association not of substance.

are loyal to the Throne, loyal to the They go on to say;

the Empire (ap Secondly, we are of opinion that it Flag, and loyal to does not arouse public interest and plause)--but they are not satisfied with inspire confidence. The main reasons! the constitution which was devised in for this we consider to be (a) that the the days when not only this section. of done, or the interest he had taken in the affairs of the Association. When the ment of its members. (b) that the the Empire but the whole Empire was proper time came no doubt they would unofficial membership is not able to its infancy We are not satisfied, have an opportunity of expressing to keep in touch with the views of certain we cannot be satisfied, with a constitu-him their appreciation of his, valuable servicess: He only, hoped that they would sections of the population, (c) the Coun

tion which disenfranchises practically have the honour of having Mr. Pollock cil procedure with an official majority results in the identification of the off every man who fought in the war. Men as their President during the ensuing cial members with the Government in the United Kingdom who have a voice year.

Mr. Dowiry seconded the motion, rather than with the public. We con- sider that the first step in inducing

which was carried unanimously, Mr. in shaping the very destinies of the public interest in the proceedings of Empire come here and find themselves Pollock briefly thanking members and the Council is that the official majority voteress on the purely municipal matters stating that he would endeavour in the should be abandoned.

which come before our Legislative Confuture to deserve their tributes.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed the elec I think that report is a very striking. I go even further than the learned tion as Vice-President of Mr. Alabaster confirmation of our hopes, which are that mover of this resolution and say that whose public services were, he said, well we simil! also gbutin, in due course, adi

known to all. Personally be was anxious our Legislative Council is not only praeto secure Mr. Alabaster's valuable ser- reason for feeling encouraged. When I ofheial majority in this Colony betically a municipal council but is a vices on account of the various municipal Aay that I do not mean in respect off cause we have Ceylon with an unofficial municipal courcil and nothing else, and matters in connection with which they the way we have been dealt with by sucmajority already obtained and a com- has not all the powers of some of the intended to extend their programme,

}. Mr. M. E. F. Amey seconded the re- cessive Secretaries of State in having our Settlements. Therefore I see no reason

mittee recommending one in the Straits municipal councils at home or in Shang solution and it was carried. resolutions turned down without a single why Hongkong need despair. In the home alter the columents of its own honorary secretary Wax An, seconded by hai. It not without authority, from The re-election of Mr. M. Whyte as, reason being given for refusing any oficial mind at home, these three Eastern servants or dismiss them. It cannot fr. PATTENDER

motion of Mr. STEVENSON, menaure of constitutional reform. I will colonies are considered to be more or without prior authority from Home

les-

The CHAIRMAN then proposed the re- apvite you, if you are inclined to pair, to look at what has been done and

ne plan; and why should the impose differential duties, any restric-election of Mr. F. A. M. Williams as treasurer. M. JOSEPH seconded, and the is boing done in the sister Eastern Crown solitary, exception to a general rule be tions or grant any privileges to any motion, was agreed to. Mr. FoLLoox colonies of Ceylon and the Straits Settle made in the case of the loyal inhabitants racial section of the community. It can- pointed out that to Mr. Williams and to

of Hongkong?

not deal with currency matters. It has the acting honorary treasurer (Mr. Blair) ments (applanee)-In Ceylon, only last year, they obtained a constitution giving

The fourth resolution is that a petition no control whatever over imperial at the Association owed a deep debt of gratitude for much hard work performed an unofficial majority on the Council be sent to the House of Commons asking tera. Its jurisdiction is territorial, and during the year, of 23 to 14 and that constitution was for support, in securing, these changes in restricted territorial jurisdiction. given and made effective. In every case, the Legislative Council. We are practie no control over, military lands and the votes of the unofficial members were cally driven to this course. We have fortifications, or over the military or Mr. W. L. PATTENDEN proposed that Mr. to prevail, coopt when the flovernment received replies from two different Secrethe navy we do not ask any of these Cartwright's nams be added to the list. Certified that it was contrary to the in-taries of State, ne in answer to the pet things. With all these safeguards and AWS. JACKSON seconded, and nigg proposed that Capt. Wheeler and Mr. terests of the Colony that a particular tion of 1016 and the other to resolutions the additional safeguard that every Frost be appointed to the Committee. * resolution should be passed or rejected. passed in January, 1019, at a public meat ordinance passed is subject to disallow Mr. WHYTE seconded this.

The additional names were accepted In that case the Governor can declare ing In neither of these replies has ance at home, what possible argument that only the official votes will count and there been vouchanted to us a single yea can be advanced in defence in depriving and the Committee was appointed as

follows: ean" "doclars · a resolution either pamod son for not granting a measure of con- those of the community who have a vote The Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, Dr. O or rejected by the official vatce alone. stitutional reform. I tried recently in at home of a vote here --(Applause.) I Forsyth, Messrs. J. P. Braga, A G That, again, ia subject to the safeguard the Legislative Council to elicit whether you therefore to confirm the prin Coppin, WA. Doirley C. Montague Ede, **D: Harvey, C. H. P. Hny, A. 8. D. Cɔub- that where the Governor taken that

ciples enunciated in these resolutions, land, H. B. L. Dowbiggin, W. B. Jackson, that could really, be so that the unusual course he has to report the mat

which will lead to unofficial control of J. Owen Haghes, F. A. Joseph, A. R.. ter forthwith to the Secretary of State Secretary of State for the Colonies had our legislature control which is more Lowe, Evan Ormiston, W. L. Fattenden, for, the Colentor That is the kind of given no reason in his despatch, and the necessary, now than it ever was before B. D. Sema D. V. Steavenson, H. A. Cartwright, B. L. Frost, and Captain safeguard Wo refer to when, in the answer was that he had given none. when we see instances of Aquandermanin F. T. Wheeler Fre third resolution, wo ask that there be Under these circumstances we propose to and rockless expenditure going on all A vote of thanks to the Chairman con- an unofficial majority on the Legislative revert to the procedure of 1804 when a round.-(Applause) These are no new eluded the proceedings

less on

It:

Mr. H. 6. CARTWRions proposed the election of the Committee. Mr. CRAWFORD seconded.

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