CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 16

Page 16

Sir John Martin

After writing my minute overleaf last evening it occurred to me to enquire when Sir David Trench would be leaving Honiara. The answer is that he is leaving today by air for Sydney, where he will be until he leaves next Tuesday, the 17th, by boat for Hong Kong - a long sea voyage. It would, I suppose, be possible if it were really essential to get our telegram cleared before the week-end and his copy of it delivered to Sir David Trench in Sydney before Tuesday. But it is clear that there is no possibility of further exchanges of triangular comments between Sir Robert Black, Sir David Trench and ourselves.

20

I have discussed this situation with

Mr Higham. There are two points in the draft telegram on which Sir David Trench's final views would be of basic importance. The first is that in paragraph 3 about the date from which the new nominations to Legislative Council should take effect. On this point, I suppose it would be possible to agree with Sir Robert Black (without consulting Sir David) that the announcement of the changes to be made in Legislative Council need not include the announcement of the date from which the new nomira tions would be come effective. The second

they point however that in paragraph 5 about Urban Council - is not one on which we can reach a conclusion without Sir David. Neither Mr Higham nor I attach great importance to either of these two points, which we were proposing to make and in the circumstances would be content to see a simple approval given to Sir Robert Black's proposals, which already have Sir David Trench's agreement as they stand (see 26.)

3. I have therefore re-drafted the original telegram, omitting the points in its paragraphs 3 and

We shall have to agree the text of the announcement without consulting Sir David Trench, but that is of no great importance.

5.

ん

11th March, 1964

Minister of State

Please see the proposals for constitutional changes in Hong Kong set out very clearly in Sir Robert Black's despatch at (25). These are discussed in the departmental minutes above and I agree with Mr. Wallace's advice that they can be approved as they stand with a view to announcement (as strongly desired in Hong Kong) before the Governor leaves on retirement on 1st April. The new Governor, Sir David Trench, who is of course

Page 16

Page1fa44

1

:

e 17 of 344