CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 155

having regard to the number of European official members

not be better to restrict Gordon's re-appointment to 1 year? I note that you have not consulted JPs about possibility of change, but action of this kind now might perhaps indicate your intention to give the present system a

thorough re-examination.

of conse

4. We accept that British business interests

on the Council

should be represented, but we wonder whether there istification for a European

appointment in the additional seats It seems to be accepted that for the present at

least the Chamber of Commerce nominee will be

European (para. 5 of your letter) and we should like you to consider whether it would not be better to put forward another Chinese, linking the question of European representation with that of the Chamber of Commerce/ when you take this point up again?

(as in the day

t' lettin)

5.

Page 155

are not

out

further

established

However, the principal difficulty that we see

in your recommendations is the one that has

obviously given you some concern, i.e. that

further you have not been able to go as far as you would have wished in breaking new ground. We que realise that, in Hong Kong in particular,

it is difficult for someone without

reputation to find acceptance. We should however like you to consider/whether you could not make an experiment with, someone of potential rather

In any case we should be reluctant. than achievement, even if you are not abi też do

to accett this we would hope that a way would be found of avoiding the requirement that a person must be of "sufficiently independent means to devote adequate time to public affairs". criterion in particular makes it seem unlikely that you would ever be able to put forward. salaried professional men and women or others from the middle income bracket. Given that we ought to mt seek to include people in these categories as soon as possible we would hope that your influence could where necessary ensure that employers would cooperate in arranging for the

person concerned to have reasonable time and

opportunity for public duties, Would it perhaps be possible to have a shot at securing the, services of Miss Kotewall if you feel that is too early to print " Mrs Ellen Lirem it would be unwise to

might exclude

"fe

This

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CONFIDENTIAL & PERSONAL

6.%

age 156 of 344

John. prayer to

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