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convey the idea that the petitioners and the Chinese community by a long period of self-sacrifice have made this Colony what it is, and that its prosperity can best be maintained by their unremitting exertions, by the self-sacrifice of themselves, "and by the co-operation and support of the Chinese."

While admitting the unquestioned importance to the Colony of its present citizens, Hongkong does not, as a matter of fact, owe its importance to the petitioners in any such exclusive manner, but to fifty-three years of enlightened and prudent government, to a long line of able and esteemed men and firms of all nationalities, to local industries, to Banks and Steamboat Companies-most of them with British capital-and to Chinese, all of whom moved by no sentiment but that of gain live here for the purposes of business exclusively. Europeans and Americans do not come here to sacrifice themselves for the Colony, but to make money, and as soon as they have enough they retire to their own countries.

The Chinese are essentially a changing element in the community, most of them being domiciled both in Hongkong and on the adjoining mainland. There could be nothing further from the fact than a contention that the Chinese residents in Hongkong are here as colonists interested in the place, its prosperity, and with its future, for, they have no sympathy with its Government, its laws, or

progress, apart from their individual interests.

its

A careful study of the Memorial will reveal that the framer of it had some difficulty in stating precisely what the grievances of the petitioners are, and he has failed to make any suggestion how the remedies prayed for are to be applied.

I think I may sum up the prayer of the petition in the following requests :—

1. The free election of Unofficial Members of Council.

2. A working majority of Unofficial Members of Council.

3. Complete control by the unofficial majority over the expenditure

of the Colony.

4. Management of Local Affairs.

5. A consultative voice in matters of an Imperial character.

I will take each of these requests in turn.

A.-The free election of Unofficial Members of Council.

There is nothing that I can conceive of that might lead to more serious consequences to the good repute and usefulness of the Legislative Council than this proposal. Should this request be granted the Legislative Council would certainly have from time to time a most undesirable unofficial element who would not command public confidence, and the most important interests in the Colony would not be represented, but on the contrary, possibly be signalled out for discriminate treatment.

B.-A working majority of Unofficial Members of Council.

I do not contemplate for a moment the possibility of such a request heing granted, and I base my opinion on the following considerations. Looking to the importance of Hongkong not only from a commercial point of view but also as a naval and military station, and to its proximity to China, to its Chinese inha- bitants who look upon it as China, and to the desire of China to resume it if opportunity afforded, I cannot imagine any Ministry (or House of Commons) parting with the absolute and certain control over it, always and readily exercis- able by the Imperial Government. Such control can only be effectively main- tained by retaining the existing form of local Government in the Colony, ¿.e., Gov- ernment through a Governor with the command of an official majority in the Legislative Council.