Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 428

424

(2)

Trinidad, which was capable of dealing with, and had sufficient time to deal with, purely local affairs, and even in that solitary case the Municipal Body was gene- rally in financial difficulties.

I do not think that in Hongkong a sufficient number of gentlemen of inde- pendent means and spirit and with sufficient leisure could be found to form a capable and energetic Municipal Council.

Personally I should not object to a slight addition to the Unofficial side of the Legislative Council in Hongkong, though I cannot admit the justice or truth of the Petitioners' plea, neither should I object to the appointment to the Executive Council of an Unofficial Member whose long residence and local knowledge would doubtless be of great assistance to the Executive in the preparation of measures to be submitted to the Legislative Council. Practically such assistance could always be obtained if the status quo were maintained, and I may state that I invariably consult the Unofficial Members before bringing into Council measures of purely local interest.

If your Lordship should desire to make or recommend any concession to the Petitioners, I would advise the appointment of an Unofficial Member with a seat in both Councils.

I am aware that there are serious objections to such a step, and that those objections have been pointed out by several of your Lordship's predecessors.

It must not be forgotten that the despatches containing those objections were addressed to Governors of Colonies where Houses of Assembly were in existence.

The difficulties in Barbadoes have been set at rest by the appointment of the Executive Committee which was established during my tenure of office there. In the Bahamas Unofficial Members are still seated at the Executive Council table.

If your Lordship should desire to make any such concession in the case of Hongkong, it would undoubtedly be a very popular, and I do not think, an alto- gether impolitic concession.

If this concession were accompanied by an acquiescence in my suggestion that until the present financial crisis is at an end, the extra £20,000 for Military Con- tribution might, from the 1st January, 1894, be paid in dollars at the rate in force when it was levied, I do not think that in future your Lordship's department would be troubled by any such petitions as the one I now have the honour to forward for your consideration.

I annex for your Lordship's information a "leader" from the North China Enclosure §. Herald of the 25th May, on the "Petition of the Hongkong Ratepayers" which appears to be a very temperate and sensible criticism of the contents of that document.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's

most obedient, humble Servant,

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

P.S.-The letters from the Honourables J. J. KESWICK and E. R. BELILIOS were

received by me after I had drafted this despatch.

W. R.