1916-01-26 — Page 9

HONGKONG'S

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

SECOND EXTRA

HONGKONG, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1916

Chinese population who have found

“CONSTITUTION 15 of persons. The evils that would Chamber of Commerce nor Justices 7,000 to 12,000 Chinese squattems that under British rule their lives sware that possibly or even probably representative should be apported:

(Continued from Extra.)

-im

་་

to hand over to an unofficial majori- who are neither members of the inhabited, I understand by some fspring from such a concession world of the Peace have no representative and fishermen According to the destroy all confidence in the admini in Council. I would recommend that census of 1591 the population, în sirsion of affairs, and introduce the they should have one, and that their round numbers, amounted to 921,400, Colony to the municipal experiences voting privileges should be based on of whom 212,000, or more than nine of New York and San Francisco.

the rents they pay.

tenths, were Chinese. The Euro- E-A consultative voice in matter I think that it would be of consi-peans and Americans numbered derable assistance to the Govern- | 8,500, and nationalities other than The Chinese are essentially a

of an Imperial character. shanging element in the community,

I do not understand what Hong-ment to hare one Unoficial Member Europeans, Americans, and Chin- most of them being domiciled both

Hongkong and on the adjoining kong bas to do with matters of an of Council of English birth in the Executive Commeil Mary questions inland. There could be nothing Imperial character beyond her res Barther from the fact than a con-ponsibilities as a Crown Colony of continually arise in which knowledge tention that the Chinese resident in Great Britain, and it is not appar and experience outside the circle of ant to me in what way the Unoff-Government might be of consider Hongkong are here as colonists in- and with its future, for they have vilege prayed for if granted wo "sympathy with its Government,

+

rested in the place, its prosperity, /tial Members could exercise the pri- abla valse, and add to the Farstutive only to 4,200, the British military to examine the separate points the last in the Est of the petitioners the present mumber and compositi

their individual interesta

A careful study of the Memorial wall reveal that the framer of it had more difficulty in stating precisely what the grievances of the peti- tioners are, and be has failed to

A distinction is made in words

strength.

J. J. Keswick,

To His Excellency

Sir William Bobinson, A.C.M.G. (Despatch from the Secretary of

A

Government. In mying this T so the conclusion that another Chinese

and their property have been safe. & municipality would not meet the On the other hand, this is contrary. I should be inclined to judge not aspirations of the petitioners, and to the wishes of the petitioners as merely that it has prospered sea

that they may place a wider confar as I understand them; and Mr. Crown Color but that it has pro-struction upon the terms, "local ex Keswick who, in his interesting and spered in great measure because it penditure" and "local affairs than temperate letter, which is enclosed

I have placed upon them.

în your despatch, advocates the sp- has been a Crown Colony.

14. One of the dificulties with pointment of an additional Unofficial 9. It may, however, be cantended that while the Crowa Colony system which I am met in dealing with this Member, to the Legislative Comment ese, 1,900. The census further an was suited to the infancy of the petition arises from the fact that the strously deprecates "the addition alyses, as follows, the European and Colony, it is now time that a large wards employed require to be more to the Legislative Commeil of

measure of self-government should accurately defined before their mean second representative of the Chi- American population.

Out of the total of 5,500, the re-be conceded

ing and the intention with which newa.” they are used can be fully ganged. The balance of argument therefore ident civil population mounted I therefore propose very shortly This criticism especially applies to appears to be against any change in

and naval forces numbered 2,900, to which the petitioners suggest claims viz., that they share be of the Legislative Council. In conclusion, I would strongly and the remaining 1,400 represented that some concession should be given a consulative voice in ques 15. The second suggestion is that

police, and made.

tions of an Imperial character. This an Unoticial Member should be ap- laws or its progress, apart from between local affairs and Imperial deprecate the addition to the Legis- | merchant

affairs, but in all cases where the lative Council of a second represen; others.

10. They ask in the first place for sentence seems to point to some kind pointed to the Executive Council discussion -sets out with general tative of the Chinese-I have the

Of the 4,000 individuals, who can the free election of representatives of Imperial Federation, and it is The suggestion is made by Mr. phrases the difficulties are found honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency's stated the European and Ame-of British nationality in the Legis possibly written with reference to Keswick, and you state" in your when they come to be practically

most obedient servENÍ.

rican civil population, 1,450 only lative Council of the Colony **** the military contribution question despaten that you have personally defined. In this case the petition-

ware returned as British Of this The words are somewhat which has not been without difficulty no objection to it, and that the cur ers agitating for power to mas15

number not more than 500 were ambiguous. They may mean that in various colonies including Hong- cession would be very popular and a certain class of affairs ought to

adult males, and therefore presum- the voters should be of any nation- kong. The subject raised is so wide not altogether impolitic

I can well realise that the addition have specified with the greatest pre-

ably not more than 300 of them slity European, American, Asiatic and so vague that it would be use cision what these affairs are, other

or Chinese, provided that the re-

less to attempt to discuss it. The tion of a gentleman of high standing wise bor can any effect be given to

presentatives for whom they vote question of a general remodelling of and great local experience would be are of British nationality. The the colonial system of Great Britain gain to the Executive Commeil, and term British nationality again may for it would probably amount to I shall be prepared to sanction the after further considering the fòlion. jects of all nationalities or simply come part of art scheace for

ing points. persons who have been born or are Federation of the Empire, is s most

Is Done

of the three Easter interesting question: but one of too which I have endezvoured to constresidents at Hongkong praying for Hongkong has in half a century in the children of those who have been wide and far reaching & scope to be colouies at the present time is there bora in the United Kingdom dealt with in regard to a single case Live Council, and I am not clear that

any unofficial element in the Execu as to the motives which underbs it fän amendment of the constitution of creased (say) twenty fold which is

the Colony.

"prima facie" evidence, as you eng- assume, however. that what the alone. But I may state simply that This petition was forwarded to¦gest your despatch, that the words are intended to convey under the existing system when the step would in all cases be active- you by Mr. Whitehead, Member of Colony has been well governed that the English, Scotch and Irish questions arise which concern, the A revolutionary change in' the Go-the Legislative Council, and though But a farther deduction has also in Hongkong should elect

various colonies, it has been the en- amor his collcames in the Council to be made, and that is that under sentatives of themselves to Mr. Keswick and Mr. Belhos have the protection of the British Gov-Legislative Commeil. If this is the and it is my own earnest endeavour. the deavour of my predecessors in office, refused to sign it. it bears the ernment Hongkong has become meaning then it is obvious from the that the claims the interests, and for disturbing it. There is nothing that I can.com.ar Government ought at least to signatures of Mr. Chater and Drather a Chinese than an European figures which have been given above even the prejudices of each colony

come are baniered by the existing Connel, of Mr. Jackson, Manar Chinese have settled in the island tenths of the population will be fully and fairly considered. come spontaneously from the people Ho Kai, both Members of the community; and the fact that the that considerably more than nine shall be adequately set forth, and Keswick proposes that the Unoticisi serious consequences to the good re- Imagine. In this case both these coa of the Hongkong. and Shanghai) in such large numbers has not only entirely excluded from the francaise. 15. To sum up, the petitioners

The grie ditions are wanting.

its pro that Europeans who are not of the asi nominally that Hongkong should sideration that it would be invidions Should this request be granted the race is not defmed but is hidden sidents. I am therefore bound to isperity, but also the most practical temory described, and Americans be giren self-government, and

and irrefutable evidence that the will be excluded as well as Chinese, elective system. In my opinion the Chinese subjects of the Queen shall way in hypothetical generalities, and them is nothing about the riction of at least a considerable | government, under which a politici and that among those British replace and its circumstances are whol. be debarred from appointment to the desirablo noficial element who movement” to show that it is the proportion of the most influential ally tiroid race sach as the Chinese sidents who sloze wil be, it is prey usïted for what is proposed.

ke any, suggestion how the edies prayed for are to be applied I think I may sum up the prayer of the petition in the following re- quests —

their demand!

• There is not much more that I can

would be entitled to vote.

State to the Governor.) Downing Street, Sard Ang, 1994

& I shall revert to these figures S-I have the honour to shortly in connexion with the ques acknowledge the receipt of your ton of popular representation enclosing s petition addressed to them that under the existing form the House of Commons by various of govemment the population of

L The free election of 12 | wefully säd in the way of critici despatch No. 1 of the 5th June last Meanwhile it may be deduced from be taken to mean either British sub, no less-an it would necessarily be proposal if you still recommend i

official Members of Council

of this very short-sighted, and, as 2 A working majority of Un-I view it, mischievous. Petition

official Members of Council

3. Complete control by the un- official majority over the ex- penditure of the Colony..

der with an open, unprejudiced mind

and its substance, but I would per- do well to make a few general. remarks on the whole subject

4. Management of Local Affairs. 5. A consultative voice in mala

ters of an Imperial character. I will take each of these requests A-The free election of Unofficial Members of Comeil

etive of that might lead to more pute and usefulness of the Legisla fire. Council than this proposal.

Legislative Comel would certainly

are from time to time a most un-

would not command public confd-

ce, and the mosă-important inter- wds in the Colony would not be re-

vernment, even of a small Colony, requires the most cogent reasons to justify it, and the demand for popu-

Back, and of other leading re- assume that it is the matured co-

been one main element

stilational changes are desirable at outcome of any genuine public feel-members of the community that con

repte

ly beneficial, where as I am quits clear that the existing system has on the whole worked well, and that therefore there is no strong reason

In the next place I note that Mr.

Member should be of birth

It must however, be taken into com

ZAM

and inequitable to lay down that

An Imperial Station with great Imperial interests, on the borders of foreign land. the maciens of wide reaching British interests in the Far

Executive Council, and therefore the possibility of the appointment being hereafter filled by a Chiese gentle

In the third place, you state that

must be reckoned with- practically unoficial asistance in

ways be obtained, if the sixins qão

sented, but on the contrary, poslags, and has not been thought out Crown Color System should be How far Hongkong is a Chinese officials, will be swamped by the Fest, ratist, it appears to me, be kept the Executive Coune “cocild-

They ask for re-substituted some presentative Government, while care- government.

bare shown every desire to Eve, med entitled to rate, the civil must bare at least possessed some

element, some proportion of which The proposit is crude and shape. Hongkong and that, for the present measure of strength and of justice.

moreover consists of Government measure of self-settlement, how far the Chinese militar and naval element, It is my duty to have paid the taxes and contributed sibly be signalled out for discrimin by the authors

It may be said that the naval and ate treatment

the electoral body or the mode of been brought forward, with care I do not contemplate for a mo-election, or the qualifications of the and went the possibility of such a representatives.

al Members of Council

Ther wish to in- wanting in courtesy

Mr. Lockhart's excellent

under Imperial protection and under Imperial control B-A working majority of GaoS-Sally avoiding any specification oflamine the arguments which have to the trade, is touched upon military forces should be debarred

In saying this much I am assuming were maintained and you add that rial Members before bringing into are not resident in the Cology, but worthy of the name, and that the Connell measures of purely local in attention: and I should be memorandum which accompanies from voting on the ground that they that the self-government would be you "invariably consult the Unoffi I did not your despatch. He is dearly of the same objection would anoly elective system would include alterest. There is therefore not Italy quest being granted, and I baso myįtroduce na entirel new thing but give a full answer to a petition. I opinion also that the tendency is

also, though possibly in a lesser ranks of the community, but this is to be much practical gain from the pinion on the following consider cannot get beyond the terminology which is far reaching in its scope. for the trade of the Colony to pass decree, to the civ population. In mat what the Petition "demands. formal appointment of an Unofficial ations. Louiting to the importance #ruropriate to the existing regime. and which has been strongly sup- | more and more into Chinese hands.

The petitioners propose that the ported

I cordially welcome what is said deed over and above soy other Those who framed it and signed Member to the Rescutive Council.

be urged would. I rather, desire to place the

It has occurred to me that possib arzuments which can of Hongking Dot only from a com-

3. The petitioners have addressed in the petition as to the skill and mercial voint of view bat also as a Unofficial Wembers of Commeil should maval and military station, and to be chosen by the people, but they themselves to the House of Cam- energy of the British, merchants / against representative govermeat power in the hands of a select few. iv. instead of making any such ap

mon, as ther have of course every who have been or still are resident. in Hongkosz, it appears to me that and to constitute a small oligarchy, ¦ pointment, proximity to China, to its Chi-fail to me by whom or by what sec.

inhabitants who look upon it tinn, or by what process. There are right to do. From this it is natural in Hongkong, and I can testify with as China, and to the desire of Ching matters of detail, but the petitioners to infer that ther consider that they pleasure to their public spirit. Bai population is by itself a serious consider that the well-being of the | at any rate so long as there is no I cannot immagine any Ministry for 1 hannised construction of the Go the Secretary of State is unwillinx whelming mass of the community alement or rather the extension of Crown Colory system, under which bers should be summoned to take

Se resume it if opportunity afforded, have not grasped them, and ir a

have grounds for discontent, which the fact remains that the

or unable to remove, and that they are Chinese,

system.'

than those they sought to remove

Under a nominally popular Go-i ie, Government through a Govern-vernment as in that of New York. Perial with the command of an official for example. (to which I have al-may majority n the Legislative Council ready referred), the crextent abuser

may be perpetrated and it is C.-Complete control by the

most impossible to conceive a repre- anofficial majority over the

sentative Government properly so- Expenditure of the Colony.

into operation in This is a proposal that some half called put dozen men representing, say, eight a pecular place like Hongkong

hundred ratepayers should dispose without the worst abuses, creepina - the revennes derived from over in

It is

A

atives."

(c)" Perfect freedom of de bate for the Official Member with power to vote according to their conscientious convic

tions,'

over-

that they Lave

certain form of

the transient character of the

obstacle.

J.

some understanding

restricted by the lines of race," To might be come to that in the case of any such change I am opposed. I discussion of specified local subjects,

large majority of the inhabitants is municipality in existence at Hong- 11. The second claim is the com- more Eikely to be safeguarded by the Long, one or more Unofficial Mem- House of Commons) parting with the Torment to remedy allowed evils

the first. The petitioners aak pot as far as possible no distinction is part in the proceedings of the Ex absolute and certain control over it, they were bound to state in who wish to emphasise in a suitable and thriven under a

end was to be sccum in any scheme only that there shall be elected remade of rank or race, than by representive Council, without giving them presentatives in the Comell, but sentation which would leave the bulk seats on the Council for all purpose. the Imperial Government Such plished. and to show that they would entrol can only be effectively a Dot open the door to greater evil, which they feel to the existing involving & change of administra~ | that there shall be a majority of of the population wholly unrepre- i This is a point on which I shall Es

Ation their wishes should be constitch representatives in other words rented. 4. They ask that subject to. Imed and their interests carefully that, at any rate as regards legisla

hole tot glad to have your opinion. tained by retaining the existing form.

I can therefore hold out no hope 18. With regard to the instituting local Government in the Cokay,

tion, the power shall be vested in a that Hongkong will cease to be a of a municipal commeil. I frankly my checks and safeguards, they watched and guarded.

7. The communities with which very small section of the population, Crown Colony-

that I should like to see one extali- be granted— (a) The free clection of re- Honghong is in the petition an- and that more than nine-tenths of it 14. It remains to consider whe Eibed at Hongkong. But there presentatives of British nafaropably contracted, as regards shall be controlled by representatives ther any step can be taken which, appear to be two practical dificulties tionality in the Legislative its mode of government, are Malta of the small remainder.

while not interfering with the Crown in the way. The first is the present Council of the Colony." Cyprus, Mauritius. and British

19. The third demand is that the Colony system would slightly critic. I am not prepared to sanction. (b) "A majority in the Council Honduras Hongkong, it seems to Official Members shall be allowed to modify the existing constitution in an important change of administra of such elected represent me, differs from all of these four speak and vote as they please. It is the direction in which the petition tion, until the fature is tolerably

dependencies of the British Crown

demand which is familiar in the points.

clear and until the neceSSATÝ "DERS- There appear to be three practical ures for protecting the health of the alike in degree and in kind. It is case of Crown colonies, but only one

surver can be given to it, ri, that aggestions which are worthy of con- Colony have been finally decided smaller than any of them, it has no he paid servants of the Government sideration.

mon and brought into operation, history or traditions, no record of old settlement or of political usages Government. I should be surprised

cannot be left free to oppose the ($) Increasing the number of Then, in a clear field it may be pos the noticial Members in the „ible to create s municipal body with and constitutional rights. It has to learn that the Officials themselves Legislative Conncil.

some prospect of saccess. practically no indigenous popula-wished to be given this freedom."...

The second difficulty, to which tion; and, if I understand right, it It is in fact not peculiar to the

allation hag already been made, is Mate" I have an impression that if the

has few life-long residents, whether Crown Colony system; it is of the

that of separating municipal from essence of all săministration that

Colonial matters. I am not confident promoter or promoters of this Pet!-

8. It is perhaps a fair account of the paid supporters or components

that that difficulty can be overcome, tion had called the community to-| gether publicly and explained dis- (f) “A consultative voice in Hongkong and its fortunes as a of a government should either vote 17. As regards the first of these nor sin I confident that a municipal- questions of Imperial British Colony, to say that 50 years for and when necessary speak for three points, I am not inclined to ty would be welcome to and workź tinetly what they really wanted, the

character"

ago it was taken by and for the the settled policy of the government add to the number of the Unofficial harmoniously with the military an common good sense of the persons who hur

Members without at the same time thorities, Still ät is possible that the instice to give the Chinese adequate riedly signed the Memorial would

12. The fourth and fifth claims increasing also the number of Offieizi Sanitary Board might be develope representation based either (a) on) numbers, or (b) on taxation. In would not have gone further, nor Honduras enjoying more liberal trade in the Far East

are to the effect that the Commeil, or Members for in a Crown Colour into a satisfactory Municipal Council ther case the Chinese must indis- the community have been arown forms of governmens than that Holding a commanding position rather the elected majority in the there must be a very distinct prepon controlling all or some of Council, should have complete.com-derance on the Official side, and reveone which is now derived Batably be given their full weight, to gratuitous antagonism to the der which they are themselves live at the month of the Canton trol over local expenditure and the that the natural result of rely rates. Whether say at you

ing at Hongkong. They lay stress endowed by nature with in the case of (a) in respect of their Government,

It may not be out of place if upon the commercial energy which harbour, which has been carefully

management of local offairs

balancing the numbers of Officials kind és feasible I would zak you ears wambers, or in the case of (b) in

There is point no doubt in these and Unaffenly is trichos, and irrita fully to consider at your leisure, and respect of the taxes paid by them now venture to express my personal has raised the Colony to its present kept as a free port, like the Sister contentions, in that the municipal in tion.

in the meaztime you are st In other case where would British opinion with regard to the number position of importance. They claim Crows Colour of the Straits Settle stitutions, which are to be found in

With this proviso there is, as Exe if you see cocamion to do so, to Interests in Hongkong be

the common right of Englishman mente, strongly protected by an Im Ceylon and the Straits Settlements, as I can judge, no strong objection publicaty to this despatch-I I consider that for all practical to manage their local admira and perial garrison and British ships of do not exist in Hongkong, but the to increasing the numbers at the the honour to be, bir D.-Management of Local Affaira

What are local affairs?

purposes the present number of five control the expenditure of the war, it has owed its prosperity to diffenty at Hongkong and must Council, except that for The drainage, road, wharves, haz- is suficient, but as there is a good Colauy where Imperial considera these advantages, as well as to the fo to draw a Ens between matters working purpemen Bour, police, Treaty, Post Office, deal of feeling expressed from time tions are not involved"

policy of the Imperial Government, | which might be entrusted to a maid- already main Education, in fact all departments to time that those persons of Euro-

5. Hongkong, when 63 years ago and to the fact that, beng szongly dipal council and the burners which ever, Government which it is proposed pean and American nationalities is become a British possession, was guarded, it ha

large must be reserved for the

I can see TO0** for and 200,000 Chnese ratepayers and de-danger of the worst abuses! vad also from local industries and incumbent on those who agitate for a change to show how they mean to British capital

Assuming that the Unofficial Mem- prevent such abases, and to do this Bers were all "elected" and that the petitioners ought to have laid they had a working majority, it may bare their sebeme in full detail be conceived what evils would arise in the local Legislature if they could ispose of its revenue as they might

elect

I this prayer were granted it would be

necessary in

(d) "Complete control in the Council over-local expendi-

(e) "The management of local | European or Chinese.

zuiging."

**23*

They quote the Colonies of Malta,

British Crown to serve Imperial or else resign their places have prevailed and the petition Cyprus, Mauritius and British purposes, and to safeguard British

of Unofficial Members of Council

& fine

%

(b) Introducing an Unoficia] element into the Executive Counti

(c) Creating Municipal Coun.

fend | obedient. humble serranty