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Structures that now prevail in regard to the control of Expenditure, any improvement can be made, I shall be willing to consider any suggestion you may offer. I fear however that it is not be possible to make any change in regard to the functions of the comparist at Hong Kong, in connection with the consular establishment.
It might perhaps be possible at Shanghai & Canton, & perhaps at some of the other ports, for the consuls to obtain money for local expenses; but this cannot be expected to be the case for some time to come at the newly opened ports; & I should consider it not only inconvenient to the public service, but injurious to the consuls themselves to break through the present system with regard to the issue of money for the consular service in China, of which uniformity as regards the public treasury, & punctuality as regards the receipt of their salaries by the consuls, are secured.
I consider, moreover, that the present system has also the additional recommendation in its favour of...