ENG-1947 — Page 8

recognition of these services His Excellency the Governor presented a silver salver to the Brigade on behalf of the Government and people of Hong Kong.

Constitution.

It must have been a cause of disappointment to Sir Mark Young that his term of office did not see the final seal set upon the plans for the revised constitution of the Colony to which he, and others, had devoted much time and consideration. It was not until July, after his departure from the Colony, that the approval of his constitutional proposals was announced by the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Sir Mark had returned to resume the administration of the Colony in May 1946, charged with the task of examining in consultation with representatives of all sections of

of the community, the best methods of giving effect to the declared intention of His Majesty's Government to grant to the people of the Colony a fuller and more responsible share in the management of their own affairs. After prolonged consultation, the late Governor submitted his proposals to the Secretary of State for the Colonies at the end of October. 1946. These proposals were subjected to close scrutiny in London over a period of some months and finally, in July 1947, an announce- ment was made in Hong Kong simultaneously with a statement in the House of Commons, that subject to certain reservations the Secretary of State for the Colonies had given his approval to the proposed revision of the Constitution. Broadly, the proposal was to establish a Municipal Council to which would be delegated certain of the functions at present discharged by the Government of Hong Kong and at the same time to alter the constitution of the Legislative Council in such a manner that an unofficial majority would be created instead of the official majority which exists at present.

The administrative area of the Municipal Council will comprise the whole of the island of Hong Kong, together with the Kowloon ceded territory and that part of the New Territories which is known as New Kowloon. The remainder of the New Territories being mainly rural in character will not at this stage be included within the administrative area of the Municipal Council. There will be 30 councillors, of whom 15 will represent the Chinese and 15 the non-Chinese section of the Community. Two-thirds of the councillors are to be directly elected and one- third nominated by professional or other bodies in the Colony. Membership of the Council will not be confined to persons of British nationality, but councillors will be required to speak, read and write the English language, and a residence qualifica- tion of not less than ten years out of the preceding 15 will be required. Special provision will be made to ensure that persons who left Hong Kong during the period of the Japanese occupation shall not be penalised thereby with regard to their residence qualification. The term of office will be three years but councillors will be eligible for re-election or re-appointment

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