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3
present welcome the advice of a non-Chinese banker such as Saunders on the Council. Moreover, in the last few years, it has once or twice been represented to me (and not only by Europeans) that the community obtains a vague feeling of re-assurance from knowing that the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation's advice is readily available to Govern- ment, and that the return of a Bank representative would now be welcome. Y.K. Kan has served as a temporary member on several occasions, and he has always been ready to express strong and usually sound opinions. He is a man of tremendous energy and drive, and the public would certainly think it most odd if he were not appointed to one of the vacancies.
12. so easy. F.S. Li is the next senior of the Chinese unofficial Legislative Council members after Kan. I have, however, tried hard to see whether I could not find some one of a different type who would not only be a useful member, but whose appointment could be justified to the public. To appoint from outside the ranks of the Chinese. unofficial members of Legislative Council would raise a storm of surprise, speculation and jealousy unless there were clear and well-understood reasons for the selection of this particular individual. No outstanding Chinese individual whose selection would be acceptable to public opinion purely on his merits, is to be found; nor are any sound reasons for selection from some other particular organization (as in the case of the Bank) apparent. I am therefore forced back on to a selection from the ranks of Legislative Council. members: all of whom are about equally suitable except perhaps Tse Yu-chuen who would have difficulty with the papers.
In these circumstances, there are obvious advantages in selecting the most senior Chinese.
The choice for the third vacancy is not
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13.
Here, perhaps, I should say a word about Dhun Ruttonjee who is the most senior unofficial.
He is, undoubtedly, disappointed at not having been selected for Executive Council before; but he should properly succeed Rodrigues and he has been seated temporarily while Rodrigues was away. His appointment instead of a Chinese would certainly not be well received by the other Chinese members.
Legislative Council
14.
Official Members All these appointments expire on 30th June 1966. KINGHORN, WRIGHT, TENG, GREGG, and HOLMES will all be remaining in their present jobs (except, perhaps, Holmes not for the full period see above) and I propose they be re-appointed for 1 year. ASERAPPA is being replaced by LIGHTBODY as District Commissioner, New Territories, and I propose the latter should also take over the seat. HETHERINGTON will be going over to Commissioner
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