1916-01-29 — Page 7

HONGKONG LEGISLATURE.

FURTHER INTERESTING PAPERS.

THE PREVIOUS MOVEMENT FOR UNOFFICIAL" REPRESENTATION.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JANUARY

one band, and China, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and British North Borneo, Java, Indo-Chins, Siam, the Straits, and Indis on the other.

convictions.

in an official unresty the Occupants may be resident for a longer or shorter period in the Colony, and for them to form an opinion on any 3. Hongkong has attained to in question which arises, different from almost unequalled commercial posi- that decided upon by the Gore tion, through the enterprise, skillment in Executes Coment, is to and energy of British Merchant risk a coutlich with the Geverner, Traders, and Shipowders, through the labours of Her Majesty's subrate on cossos contrary to thei

and they are therefore compelled to jects who have spent their Kves and employed their capital on its shores;

a. Your petitioners humbly re- through the expenditure of many millions of dollars in roads, Streetsprosent that to Malta, Cyprus, and Badges, in Buldings, public Mauritius, British Honduras, and and private; in antensive reclama- other Crown Colonies, more liberal tions; in Docks, Piers, and Wharves forms of Government than those e- and last, and not least, in Manufacjoyed by your Petitioners have been turos of great and increasing ralne, sivan: Unofficial seats in the Ex- The prosperity of the Colocy can ecutive Council; Unofficial majori c Practically ach assistance best be maintained by the mureittios in the Legislative Connet: could always be obtained if the ting exertions and self-sacrifice of power of election of Members of status quo were maintained, and your Petitioners and the valuable eo- Council; and more power and ins may state that I invariably consult operation and support of the Cho- finance in the management of purely the Unoficial Members before nese, and only by the continuance of focal affairs; in, one of these bringing into Conneït measures of Hongkong as a free port.

Colonies are the Commereixi and purely local interest

4. Notwithstanding that the Indaial interests of whole interests of your Petitoners

On Wednesday we published certain extracts received from the Colonial Secretary taken from Hongkong Sessional Paper No. 28 of 1896, with referense the last occasion when representation were made regarding the constitution of the Legislature. The matter being of importance in view of the Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock's petition on the sub- ject, we now publish the whale of the documents dealing with the sub- ject as contained in Government Notification No. 251 in the Govern ment Gazette" of 11th July, 1886./

GOVERNMENT NOKLICATION-231, r

Jezx 11TH, 1596

The following Papers on the sub- ject of a Petition addressed to the House of Commons praying for an amendment of the Constitu- tion of the Crown Colony of Hongkong which were laid before

+

If your Lordship should desire to

|

the same

יי

1916.

the wishes of the petitioners are at si idens is practically impossible and the Chinese traders of this Colca who are to be included in the alleged is indeed rare attempted. Where its prosperity would good wine, benents for which the petitioners therefore the petitioners in par- it in no small degree the to pr

Agraph 5 of their petition describe that Hangkang has reached They however, appear to be sum the Unofficial Members as the sent commercial position. med up in the last paragraph of the tural possesers of Howledge and With the increase in the pop petition as falious:—

experience, it is impossible that on there has been a correspon The election of representather can mean *knowledge and ex-increase in the volizme of trace tives of British nationality in perience" of the Chinese and Chin-ried on by Chinese not only the Legislative Council. ese requirements for of them, it is Europeans but also among

o

A majority of such reprezen notorious tatives to the Council"

ignorant.

that they are, very | sebres quite independently of Euro

pears British ar otherwise.

3. Freedom of debate for the)

It is not possible that under such A regards the revenne, of Hong- Official Members with power circumstances they can in any way kong, it is derived entirely from to vote as they desire.

represent them. It perhaps may be internal taxation, and amounted 4. Complete control in the Comm. Į this inshiïty which leads the peti-in 1883 to $2,078,135.

cl over local expenditure. tioners 3. Management

affairs."

ter

of

10%

seriously

to

local commend that

the

Most of the taxes fall almost en Chinese tirely on Chinese. The only tax to

should

have

**

repre- which the British and other residents & à consulative voice in quee sentatives. representation being as a whole are subject in the sime tions of an Imperial charac monopolized by persons of British manner as the Chinese is the tact nationality, who are to "have com-19 per cent levied on the rateable As petitioners pointed out, Hong-plete control over local expendi-value of house property in Victoria, kour was founded over 30 years ago ture" to the payment of which they a smaller rate being levied în cubu on a barren rock the abode of a few contribute but a very mull share. stations. fishermen. To-day the Colony bas In considering the question of re

This tax yields annually about upwards of a quarter of a miliom in presentation it is important to resto,000, of which over $305,500 is habitants, a trade estimated at 40-member that, as petitioners states. ant bated by the Chinese and the

instant are published-Br Conto the Petitioners, I would adrias bound up in the good. Adtimist.s of Hongkong Tour Petitioners, some two millions of dollars wholly | and racial sympathies of the Chinese ties combined. the Legislative Council on the 8th make or recommend any codes are thma inextricably and permanent" magnitude or emportance as those 1000.000 anally, and a revenue of the traditional and family interests balance by all the other nationali.

prada

J. B. STEWART LOCKHARI,

Colonial Scretary.

Unofficial

the appointment of an Member with a seas in both Coun cila

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong kang 9th July, 1998. Despatch from the Governor to the Secretary of State) Government House docessors. Hongkong, 3th June, 1994

therefore, pray your Honourable House to grant them the same or similar privilegంది.

derived from internal treation.

tion of the Colony, in the efficiency

who come to Hongkonglargely remain As regards the population of in China.” which is simply another The petitioners, who are not in of its Executive, and the soundness of its Finance, your Fetitoners are

Hongkong the actual figures | mode of saying, that the Chinese in some instances British and why do 10. Four Potitioners fully rescertained at the last Census held Hongkong remain Chinese, & traism not in many case contribute direct- I am aware that there are serious allowed to take only a limited part objections to such a step, and that or small share in the Government of cognite that in a Colony so peculiar in 1997 were 907.441 out of this total which is well-known even to the ty to the taxes claim the commen

the Colony, and are not permitted to ly situated on the borders of a great there was a Chinese resident popala casal visitor to the Colony. But right of Englishmen to manage the ubjections have been pointed out by have any really effective voice in the Oriental Empire, and with a population of 2005: & resident Rritish petitioners seem to forget that in local affairs and control the expen- several of your Lordship's pro-management of its affairs, external tion largely composed of sheas cirl population of 7.449: 3 Porta- calling attention to this undoubted diture of the Colony. They have, or internal Being purely a Crown whose traditional and family in-suese population of 2.099: a German fact they at the same time unfort however, carefuly omitted to point It must not be forgotten that the Colony it is governed by a Governor terests and racial sympathies largely popusitios of 98: and an American ately remind us that representative out that the local affairs incinte My Lord Marquess-I have the despatches containing those objec-appointed by Ear Most Gracions remain in that neighbouring Empire. Donalation of 93.

institutions are not only unsuitable | Chinese affairs of which, as has been honour to wanemi; to you a Petitions are addressed to Governor of Majesty the Queen, and by a special legislation and guardianship Of the British resident population but quite alien to the mind of the stated. they are generally ignorand tion which has been forwarded to Colonies where Houses of Assembly Executive and a Legislative Council are required. Nor are they less alive the armber of male adults was 25: Chinese.

and which the Chinese have shown - me" by the Honourahie IA

The former is composed wholly of to the Imperial position of a Colony of the Chinese population the mum-

no desire that the British merchaɑby Whitehead and which is addressed

Officers of the Crown, nominated) which is at once a fronter Fortress her of male adulte'sas 127,690 : that Ta China the patriarchal system and other residents should manage. to the House of Commons and prays

and appointed by the Crowns the and a Naval Depot, the head quar- is to say, for every male adult Brit-il exists, the unit of society there and to indicate that to the expen for an amendment of the constitution

latter consists of seven Official Menters of Her Majesty's Fleet, and the isher in Hongkong there was 160 is the family and not the individual ditose of the Colony of which they of the Crown Colony of Hongkong

bers, selected and appointed by the base for Naval and Military opera-adult Chinese.

The modern iden of “one man one | desire the control, they contribute I have recently granted -

Queen, and five Uzoficial Members, tions in these Far Eastern waters The male adulf Briber of this rote" is one which a Chinaman can is very small portion. Whitehend six months leave of

two of whom are sominated by cer- and they are not so unpractical as to Colour (exclusive of Anglo-Chinese hardly comprehend, and if he does Petitioners do not surely wish to absence from the Legislative Council

tain public bodes in the Colosy expect that unrestricted power who are not a large class and who, acceed in grasping its meaning it maintain that Britishers have an in- and he is not only the prime moves

while the other three are selected by should be given to any local Legisla as is difficult to ascertain their is an idea which does not appeal to in this Petition but the bearer of

the Governor, and all are appointed are, or that the Quem's Gove numbers and as it is not possible as him as it is opposed to the constient right to control all expendi it to England. I think I am justified

by Her Majesty.

ment could ever give up the para- rule to distinguish them from or tation of society and the theory of tre be their contributions to the

zerenns however small; In China 5. The Executive Council its and mount control of this important dinary Chinese, whose views and government in Ching

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, Ca- oficials 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 un-

the taxpayers, some three years

politic concession.

It this concession

Acting Colonial Scretary, and also

communications from the Hozoar

able J. J. Keswick, 1 L. C. Chair

►

skippines frms and stores.

this Colony would be quite content

12. At present your petitioners

The British population of Hong

allowed.

It would

„As a matter of fact. if taxation is

in 18ying that it crests origin doubtedly, be a very populas, zad I eliberates in secret The Legislative Dependency. All your Petitioners sentiments ther for the most part taxes are levied and expended by/be interesting to know in what. per. principally in the imposition upon do not think, an altogether \ Compcil sity with open doors, and claim is the comman right of English-share. may be counted as Chinese) the government the people havinejod of out constintional history

its procedure appears to admit of men to manage their local affairs, ago, of the additional Military Con- tributios of 20,000 area.

panied by an acquiescence in my there is virtually no trae freedom of Colony, where Imperial consideratants in mercantile, banking, and ture, and the Chinese population of!

were accom- foli and unfettered discussion, bat and control the Expenditure of the are composed of heads of and assis no voice in or control over expend such a right has been asserted or I enclose for your Lordship's con- suggestion that until the

present debate. Questions are considered, tions are not involved. sideration a report on this doemment | financial crisis is at

to Five mder the same system so an end, the and settled and the policy to by M JE Stewart Lockhart, the extra 90,000 for Militar Contabebe. adopted by the Government in are rabject to Legislation issuin/kong is by no means a permanent long as the taxes were fairle levied to be taken as the basis of repre- - and expended for the purpose for sentation. and seeing that it is ca tion might, from the 1st January, connection therewith is decided from the Imperial Parlament, and as petitioners seems to which they were collected without ratepayers petitioners present the 1594, be paid in dollars at the rate the Executive Council They are all local legislation must be sub. The number of persons, to quote the sor of that peculation which is so petition, it may be inferred that in forse when it was levied. I do then brought before the Legislasidiary to it. Her Majesty the Queen words of the Petitor. "The hare rife in their own country. Ladeed. such is the basis they desire. Re not think that in future roas Lond-tive Comel, where the Goviment in Connell has fall and complete passed large protions of their lives they would prefer this system one sidents of British nationality are ship's department would be troubl—the Oficial Members being in a

Tower and authorite to make laws in the Colony, "is very small

Their object in coming to the Col which, if the prayer of the Petition at present over-presented in the ed by any such petitions at the one majority-can secure the passio

one is to acquire wealth and to the levying and expending of their now conests of six Official Members for the Island, and local laws must

That Council is granted: would practically place Legislative Council I now have the bonour to forward of any measure, in face of any for your consideration.

taxes in the hands of a small body | (all of whom, by the way, opposition on the part of the Unoff

tum to Great Britain as soon

of British merchants who may be ratepayers), exonsive of the Gor- cial Members, who are thus limited

they possibly can.

not here to-day and gone to-morrow, and cruor and-five. Unofficial Members

whom the Chinese would be most Every one of these Coficial Mem andhar to reengnise as their lords bers, including the Honourable Ho and masters. It would also weaken

of British nationality." the Goremment in the eyes of the

Of the Eve. Unofficial Members ridden by a handful of British mer are natives of Great Zntain,

man of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Honourable E. R. Belitics, LC, CYGn which these gentlemen express their decided opinion that the prayer of the Peti tion should not be granted.

These paper will be of material sssistance in enabling your Lord skip to arrive at a decision upon the subject.

The second clause of the Petition swms to me to supply an answer to the several requests of the Peti- tioners.

It is impossible that Hongkong` car have been, otherwise than well governed if it has risen to the pro- sperous condition which the Pet tioners Chairs for it and that it tas reached that pitch of prosperity under the "Crown Colony System ” is indisputable.

I annex for you Lordship's in-

the

25

It is true that fortunes are pot now made so rapidly as formerly, and enforced residence abroad is under the present condition of things of longer duration than it once used

te be. But even under these altered Chinese if its views could be over-

Kai

220

be approved and assented to by the Governor in the name of the Queen, and are subject to disallowance by formation a "leader" from

Her Majesty on the recommendation the to objecting and protesting. and North China Herald of the 23th have up power to cay may pro for the Colonies.

of Her Principal Secretary of State May, ou the “Petition of the Hong-posal which they may consider

19. Your Petitioners recognise the kong Ratepayers" which appears beneficial; nor have they power to necessity and propriety of the ex- to be a very temperate and sensi- reject or even modify any measure istence of these cbecks Rod ble crticism of the contents of that which may in their opinion be pre-safeguards against the abuse of any circumstances the British population document-I have the bonour to judicial to the interests of

two are natives of Inds, and one power and authority exertised by of Hongkong is always changing chants.

is a native of Hongkong. The be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most Colony.

local Legislature, and cheerfully Heads of houses often leave Hong-

Among the Chinese there are some Chinese properly so called are not obedient, humble Servant,

6. In the adjustment and disposal acquiesce in their continuance and kong to superintend their business residents whom residence abroad or represented at all, for, though the WILLIAM ROKINSON, of the Colonial Revenue it might be effective exercise, bat respectfully in other parts of China or at home, connection with foreigners bare Honourable Ho Kai is of Chinese P. S-The letters from the Hon-supposed that the Ecofficial Repre- submit that subject to these checks and mercantile assistants are being used with nations differing from ourable J. J. Keswick and E. Esentatives of the taxpayers world and safeguards, they ought to be continualy moved from agency to those held by the rest of their cent descent he is a native of Hongkong Belikos were received by me ther be allowed a potentsi voce, eat allowed the free election of Bepes genes During the last ten years times, but they are a call minority and therfore of British nationality. had drafted this despatch.

is form this has been conceded by sentatives of Britisa Nationality in the heads and staff of almost every and are not representative of the Bus petitioners are not satisfied

the Legislative Council the Government Bu: only in form, Colony; a majority in the Council, ofed in many instances, more than fired in pesce under the British far they already possess; they sour of the firm in the Colony have been chang Chinese Ties. The Chinese have with the excessive representation for in the Finance. Committee. as 1. concar generally in the

To the Honourable The Commons well as in the Legislative Council such elected Representatives: per-ance Undoubtedly there have been in Hongkong for more than half a desire a majority of members of criticisms of Mr. Stewart Lockhart of the United Kingdom of Great the Waoficial Members are in a

cial Members, with power to vote hoth time and labour to promotion century they are quite satisfied British nationality in the legislative Assembled. I believe that the Chinese, who are Britain and Ireland in Parliament minority, and can therefore be out according to their conscientions con- the welfare of the Colony, but the with the present form of Govern- Council, which would mean at least voted if any real difference of victions without being called to ac- instances of cell sacrifice" of per- administered without distinction of They say they ought to be allowed

ment under which the laws are fairly an increase of three members. The Humble Petition of the opinion arises.

count or endangered in their posi-sonal interests to the public good face under which their peculiar the free election of representatives Endersigned Merebants, Ban 7. Legislative Enactments are sions by their votes; complete con have been very rase. Indeed, mer- kers Professional Men, Trahesily always drafted by the A- trol in the Council over local expen-ants and others make no secret of customs and' requirements receive of British nationality" but they do:

every enavideration: and under not suggest how this free election ders Artisans.sod other torney General, are frequently for diture; the management of local the fact that the good of their firms which taxes are justly levied and is to be conducted, nor do they Ratepayers, inhabitants of warded before publication in the affairs; and a consultative voice in is the first object of their comsider

honestly expended,

state whether the right of election Colony, or to the Council for the questions of an Imperial character.ation and that everything, pabbc

Petitioners estimated the trade of is not to be restricted as to nation- approval of the Secretary of State,

Four Petitioners therefore most or private, mast sield to and this Colony at £40,000,000 a year, ality. Seeing that the petition is and when sanctioned are introduceć

humbly pray your Honourable that they have little or no time to and among other reasons attribute signed by British, American," House to move Her Most devote to outside matters not intime the almost equalled commercial Portuguese and Chinese it might te Gracines Majesty the Queen atedly comected with their own position to which the Colony has inferred that the right of election to amend by Order in Council business relations. There is no leisur.tained to the enterprise, skill and

indifferently represented, and the Portuguese, who are not represent-

(ESCLOSURE 1.) -

the Crown Colony of Hong kong. Respectfully Sheweth;-

ed at all, if a plebiscite could be taken would in favour of a pure autocracy; the Americans need not be counted, and the *** Britishers" with the exception of a few " uni quiet spirits" would be satisfied to Int matters remixin as they are. Toxi they are capable of improvement 1. The Colony of Hongkong, into the Legislative Council, read nevertheless, so far as "Municipal" tuate in the China sess at the

a first, second, and third time, and questions are concerned, I admit southeastern extremity of the great passed by the votes of the Official During twenty years, however, of Empire of China is one of the smal Members, acting in obedience to in Colonial Government I have not lest, but by no means the least valu-tructions, irrespective of their per- yet been fortunate enough to come,

able or important, of Her Majesty's sonal views or private opinions. in contact with a Mayor Connell, | possessions outside of the United¦

The Legislation so prepared and excepting that perhaps of the comKingiom of Great Britain and Ire-

passed emanates in Some Cases paratively small town of San and Femando in Trinaded, which was

from persons whose short, experi- ence of and want, of actual touch capable of dealing with, and has sufficent time to deal with, purely local affairs, and even in that solitary case the Municipal Body was generally in financial dificulties,

It's a little over 50 years since the Colony was founded on a barren reek, the abode of a few with the Colony's needs, does not Eshermen and pirates. To-day it is qualify them to fully appreciate the City and Settlement with upwards measures best suited to the require

fect freedom of debate for the Offi- British revidents who have devoted

It must also be borne in mind the maremitting exertions and tionality.

ad to

franchise

the constitution of this Crowed class in this Colony, which has energy of British merchants,” and is not to be in any way restricted, Colony, and to grant to you the time, even if it had the wIL to stated that the prosperity of the but is to be exerised by all Petitioners, and to the inhabi devote to matters of public interest. Colour can best be maintained br ratepayers alike regardless of tants of Hongkong in all time

Were the to come the rights and prive that the mass of the poualation of ice of Pektioners and the valu. imeted to persons of British nation leges hereinbefore mentioned this Colour momxists of Chinese. Behino-operation and support of the alty this would practically restrict (Eers follow 363 signatares.)

tween the Chinese and the British

the right of voting to the 800 adult Chinese." merchants there is absolutely no in-

British residents

Angio Whatever may have been the con- (ENCLOSKUE 2.)

tenrowse except that of a commerocal tions of trafe in the Colony Tears Chinese subjects who are a very Memorandum by the Acting nature. Between the two population Colonial Secretary (The Honourable there is a gulf almost as wide x Rin by it is a fact I believe. definite and be no means numerous acknowledged by British merchants class. Of these 800 adult British- J Stewart Lockhart.) JA there was a quarter of a century resetves, that the modern tener not many have any interest or s, Those who have the knowledge! Your Excellency-In accordance even fifty years ago. trade estimated at about Porty,

dency is for the trade to fall more stake in the Colony beyond their millions of pounds sterling and experience are naturally the with your instructions. I beg to make It is true that there are more Chi- and more into the hands of the Chi- own employment, and the Anglo- independent means and spirit and annum, and a revenue of some Two Unofficial Members, who have been the following remarks on the pet pese who can speak English thin nese though this could hardly be Chinese community, being as a millions of dollars, wholly derived elected and appointed as possessing tion to the House of Commons pray-formeriv, but the proportion they attributed to "self-sacrifice on the class inbued with Chinese views from internal taxation. Hongkong is these very qualifications, who bave us for an amendment of the constitu hear to the stole is infinitesimal, the part of this petitioners. The large and sentiments, it seems unreason. free port. through which passes passed large portions of their lives tion of the Crown Colony of Hong large majority of the Chinese being British mercantile houses of former able to grant them a privilege which upwards of Fourteen millions of toon in the Colony, and who either have

kong

sa igorant of cur language me the days are now either extinct or have is withheld from the other Chinese, The document professes to be the British resident is of Chinese. Under considerably modified their former who form almost the whole of the

I do not think that in Hongkong

a suficient number of gentlemen of

with sufficent leisure could be found

to form a capable and energetic

Maxicipal Council.

Personally I should not object to

of a quarter of a million inhabitants ments of the Community

.:

a slight addition to the Unofficial of shipping per annum, and it ranke pesinanent personal interests in it, humble petition of merchants, ban such conditions as these it is not methods of conducting business. In population, who epatribute by far amongst the very first in the list of or bold prominent positions of trust kers, professional men, tradesmen rprising that knowledge of Chrstead of merchants now dealing the largest proportion of the tax- side of the Legislative Council in the great seaports in Her Majesty's which connect them most closely artisans, and other ratepayers, in-nese their customs and their peen-merchandise on their own account on, and who are by far the Hongkong, though I cannot admit dominions. It is the centre of enor-with its affairs, and are therefore habitants of Hongkong the justice of truth of the Petime British interests and is a the mors Eitely to have been t

Far requirements should be a sealed their transactions are becoming,

tioners Ples, neither should I objest extensive emporium of British trade third to really sady its real theme me British. 10 Anglo- marcome with the Chinese is of or selling on commission, fer or to in the Colony... On the other chade The signatories amount to 353 9 book to the British resident, whose more and more confined to buying largest interest of any nationality to the appointment to the Execo- `n ('hina: sesa, and, while it remains. tive Comel of an Enofficial Member free port it is destined to expand needs, and to have thoroughly Chinese. 3 Americans, 4 Portuguese, the most kmited nature. being al Chinese, and this, no doubt, is the if the right of election is to melude whose long residence and Joes and develop, and to continue to be acquainted themselves with the and 47 British Indians.

mort exclusive confined to a discus reason whe large mercantile houses aliens, Chinese numbers would knowledge would doubtless be of the centre of vast traffic and of con methods by which these are best to The petition is to loosely worded ion of markets, goods and prices do not increase, while smaller mer swamp those of any other nation great assistance to the Executive instant

communication between be met. On the other hand the and in certain respecta so contracte carried on in a jargon called cantile frms, working on a sual alty, the Connel would be cos- the preparation of measures to be Europe, the Australian Colomes, the offices occupied by the Official tory that it is not altogether an easy Pidgin English With such a expital, doing business as commissainted entirely as the shemitted to the Legislative Coun United States, and Canada on the Members are only stepping stones matter to ascertain definitely what medium of expression an interchange sion agents are increasing. Without might desire, and it would be