Representation Issues, With the approach of the date on which the collection of the current quarter's municipal rate became due, rumours were afloat as to the possibility of the recurrence of the trouble experienced last autumn in the same connexion and arising out of the demand by some sections of the Chinese for representation on the Municipal Council.
There now appears to have been little doubt that arrangements were being made to bring about a repetition of the trouble, but it is comforting jo know that the plans of these concerned were well known to the authorities and adequate measures were in contemplation for the purpose of meeting any emergency that might arise.
It now appears, however, that there will be no demonstration as expected. On Monday morning a deputation headed by Mr. Ch'en Tsze-ming, a Chinese lawyer who has been advising those engaged in the movement for representation on the Municipal Council, called on Mr. J. W. Jamieson, H. M. Consul-Gece, to put the position before The Consul-General reminded them of the invitation given by the Municipal Council to the local Chinese to form a Chinese committee with which the Finance Committee could consult, and he suggested that they should take steps to talk over the various financial questions with the Finance Committee. Subsequently he thought it would be ad- by visable for them to get into touch with the Ohinese Chamber of Commerce and form a new committee, which could meet the Council, or a committee appointed from the foreign ratepayers and lay before them their views for subsequent reference to the ratepayers themselves.
After some discussion the deputation left expressing the intention of acting upon this advice.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.