400
large a sum, in defiance of protest, implies the possibility of further demands, at the caprice of the Treasury, which would gravely embarrass the colonial finances. There is no privilege of which the Colonies are more jealous than that of self taxation. And though it is admitted that the Government may wisely reserve to itself, in respect to Crown Colonies, a right of dictation which would be inadmissible elsewhere, grave discontent would certainly be excited by any evidence of a tendency to carry
that
power to the point of exacting contributions without, or against, the assent of the Colonial Councils.
As an illustrative instance of the mistakes that may be made when colonial opinion is over-ridden, this Association would venture to adduce a case not altogether inapposite to the present discussion. The suppression of the Contagious Diseases Acts at Hong Kong and Singapore, in defiance of the unaninous opinion of the colonists and of their representatives, and it is believed also of the official members of the Legislative Councils, has not only caused far-reaching harm but has directly reduced the available numbers and efficiency of the garrisons which those colonies are now called upon to assist in increasing.
I need hardly apologise for entering at some length upon these various aspects of a question which is being discussed with some earnestness in Hong Kong; for it is on these general grounds, as well as from sympathy in the feeling of the Colony that the exaction of the additional grant for the past year would constitute a breach of an implied understanding, that this Association would urge upon Her Majesty's Government the desirability of foregoing the claim until the additional troops have actually arrived. In reliance that it will be admitted to be the utmost the Colony can be fairly asked to pay, the full sum of £40,000 will, it is believed, then be readily contributed.
The Right Honourable
(Copy.)
I have, &c.,
(Sd.)
ALFRED DENT. Vice-Chairman of the China Association.
Lord KNUTSFORD, G.C.M.G.
The Colonial Office to the China Association.
DOWNING STREET,
5th August, 1891.
SIR,
Lord KNUTSFORD has fully considered the arguments advanced in your letter of 13th May last, in support of the protest of the Un-official Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong against the payment of the increased Military Contribution on the ground that the full garrison was not yet quartered in the Colony, and I am directed by his Lordship to transmit to you for the information of the China Association a copy of a despatch, which has been laid before the Legislative Council, explaining the circumstances under which the increased contri- bution had been asked for, and stating that Her Majesty's Government saw no sufficient grounds for delaying the payment of the full contribution. The Officer Administering the Government has now been informed, with reference to the renewed protest from the Un-official Members of the Council, which was made before the receipt in the Colony of the enclosed despatch that Her Majesty's Government see no reason for departing from the views expressed in that despatch.
I am to add that the China Association is under a misapprehension in supposing that the Secretary of State had ordered the stoppage of any. Public Works in the Colony in order to enable the Colonial revenues to bear this increased contribution.
I am, &c..
(Signed)
R. G. W. HERBERT,
7th March.
The Secretary to the China Association.