CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 162

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Marlin

HONG KONG.

5th June 1964

4/57

Page 162

(25)

Please refer to Robin Black's despatch No. 433 of 6th February, concerning the Legislative Council. In view of the unusual need on this occasion to choose 5 extra unofficial members for the Council, I am writing to you demi- officially first with my recommendations, to ascertain your reactions, before proceeding further. These seats are due to be filled by 1st July, and selection is therefore becoming urgent.

2. In formulating my recommendations, I first had available some preliminary official views. As was natural enough on my first arrival, I then saw separately all the present unofficial members of both Councils and the past members of Executive Council for a general discussion, at which this subject inevitably came up and each had an opportunity to state his views not only on individual names, but generally on how best to achieve our aim of expanding the field. I also saw the Committees of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. Added to this, certain written representations were made by interested bodies, such as the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and a number of views were expressed in the Press which also had to be taken into account. Finally, I have assessed and discussed the outcome of all these talks with the official members of the Executive Council.

3

One of the first questions to be considered was the best balance of racial representation, the choice in practice lying between 3 Chinese, 1 minority group representative (i.e. Portuguese, Indian or mixed blooded) and 1 European;

or

4 Chinese and 1 European. I have come to the conclusion that on this occasion the balance should be 4 Chinese and 1 European, for the following reasons:

(i)

4 Chinese gave the best room room for

manoeuvre;

(ii) the best candidate from amongst the minority groups, Mr. Sales, is not a British subject: and although it is not strictly necessary that he should Page 162 of 344

Page 162

Sir John Martin, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.V.O.

Coloni Office.

Page 16BRONAL & CONFIDENTIAL