Maurice Murray Watson
Maurice Murray Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | June 8, 1973 (aged 79) |
| Occupation(s) | Legal professional, solicitor |
| Years active | 1910–1953 |
| Known for | Unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong |
Maurice Murray Watson (29 December 1893 – 8 June 1973) was a British legal professional based in Hong Kong who served as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Biography
Commencing his career as an articled clerk in London in 1910, Watson served during World War I as a second lieutenant with the South Staffordshire Regiment. Following his demobilisation in 1919, he overcame procedural delays to qualify as a solicitor in England.
Subsequently, he moved to Hong Kong where the acting Chief Justice admitted him as a solicitor on 27 January 1921. He became affiliated with Johnson, Stokes and Master and took on executive roles across various enterprises. These included chairmanship of Thomson & Co. Chartered Accountants, directorship at Broadcast Relay Service (Hong Kong) Limited, and co-founding Swire Pacific Limited in 1940. Additionally, Watson contributed to several public institutions such as the Dental Board and Medical Board, and was active within the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
In 1946, Watson secured election to the Legislative Council representing Unofficial Justices of the Peace. He advocated for the contentious Inland Revenue Bill of 1947, which introduced income tax, and supported Governor Alexander Grantham’s modified Young Plan that replaced municipal council proposals with Legislative Council elections, promoting a gradual approach to political reform.
Watson stepped down from his council position on 20 March 1953, with Dhun J. Ruttonjee succeeding him.