CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 112

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Page 112

(16) FED 175/400/04

Fien 36/400/01

Page 112

bears of course

that their present efficiency is a consideration bearing on the

enlarging

question of irereesire their functions and it would be useful

assessment of this.

But assuming they are competent,

to have your views or thish.

I wonder whether present discontent would be allayed by some

widening of their functions (e.g. in the field of social

welfare fire services) or by giving them some greater measure

of financial responsibility. On this latter point I do not

suggest necessarily that they might be given rating powers or

be allowed to retain the product or a proportion of the rate

poos Gwen levy; but I feel that, if within a fixed financial ceiling they

were free to order their own priorities in developing the provide services for which they are responsible, this might give them w

more to chew on.

6. On the question of the franchise we are glad that you

are considering proposals for its extension. I do not think

we would wish to express a view as to whether persons legally

qualified for registration should be automatically included on

the register or should be required to make individual application

for inclusion (paragraph 4 of your tel No. 169). We can see

that there must be drawbacks in relying on the membership rolls

of local professional associations. While the additional

categories you mention would greatly imparve the look of the

franchise

ise, we would feel far happier if there was any means

of getting away from definition of the electorate by professions

and occupations and we would be interested to know if any

new and practical ideas have been suggested.

7. We have discussed with you and Robert Black over the

past 2-3 years the possibilities of widening the field of

selection of Leg. Co. members and in para 11 of your letter to

Martin of the 5th June 1964 you gave us your views on an

appointment from among the elected members of the Urban Council.

age 112 of 344 /I

ncil.

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:

age 113 of 344

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