PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
Page 164
So do ✓
m.
3.
The J.P.s are even more difficult to consult,
but in any case, in view of my failure with Mr. Gordon, there was little point in attempting it. I do not intend to give up on this altogether, however, and I will try to take any opportunity that may offer in the future to pursue the possibility of extinguishing these rights.
4. Next to be considered was the main question of
were
how to obtain representation in Council from a rather wider field than heretofore while finding people who could reasonably be relied upon not to take advantage of their position; reasonably articulate in English, and able to read and under- stand fairly complicated documents; and whose appointment would not stimulate undesirable political struggles for leadership in the organizations or groups with which they were connected, in the expectation of future appointment to Council.
-
Most of the unofficial members whom I saw expressed agreement with the idea that representation should be widened; but, when it came to the point, few were able to make any concrete proposals on how this should be done. It nevertheless emerged clearly that an industrialist and a man who was a real industrialist and not just on the fringes of industry - should be chosen. Inevitably, of course, this means a rich man: and the name that was mentioned by nearly all was that of Mr. P.Y. Tang. (Please here see the bio- graphical notes attached to this letter). Mr. Tang is of Shanghainese origin, and this was generally thought to be an additional advantage. He will probably prove acceptable enough to most industrialists, but his appointment is not likely to please Sir Sik-nin Chau. Nevertheless, I believe he will prove to be a good choice.
1
Ĉ It is doubtful whether one industrialist really adequately represents the importance of this group, and in my view two can be justified - and even perhaps three. Amongst those who have served temporarily on Legislative Council before on a number of occasions and who must (for reasons of face) be given consideration on those grounds alone, is Mr. Fung Hon-chu. He was until last year a member of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries' General Committee, and was well in with Sir S.N. Chau. This year he may be less in
Page 164
Page 164
Page PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.