"unquestionably the existing ad ministrative structure and the systems. of the Settlement are in many Te-speds inadequate to meet the new situation which has developed in the ensuing 10-odd years. To enable the Settlement to adapt itself to actual conditions now obtaining and to discharge properly its functions not a few Improvements and innovations should ko introduced into its adminis trative machinery and its operation.
Several years ago. the question of reform of the Municipal Council was yerly discussed in the nghai. It was then pointed out that the system of election for the Municipal Council. was undemocratic: that the British monopolized import-fant offices in the AMunicipal Counelt dnd held an overwhelming majority in its other offices and tended to be. oligarchical in administering its, affairs. Tt further asserted that the administrative expenses were excessive and therefore a considerable Fetrenchment of expenditure was required in regard to. the Volunteer Corps, Orchestra, and education and in other respects'and that the budgetary expenditure of the Mtunieipal Council, especially that rotating to education, Was not fairly distributed among the different national communities, All these assertions were generally justified.
"To. make smooth the working of the administrative machinery of the Settlement, it is imperative that the structure of the Municipal Council be remodelled with a view to conditions prevailing today. It is also necessary that the nationals of all countries interested should have a fair and just voice in the affairs of the Municipal Council.
"The voice of the Japanese Community, despite the enormous Japanese interests is not given due and fair expression in' the administration of the Settlement. This is evident from the small number of Japanese councillors; from the position of Japanese officers in the Municipal Police, or from how Japanese officials stand in other departments of general administration, "A. reasonable adjustment of the present conditions which are so. fair and unsatisfactory is. therefore imperatively necessary.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.