I fear that if we were to adopt your suggestion, it would either cripple the resources of the Colony, or plunge it once more into financial embarrassment.
15. I am, I confess, unable to concur with His Grace as to the justice of acquiring The Colony, even if able, to contribute towards the expenses of the troops stationed there. Hongkong is an exceptional case and bears no analogy to such sugar-producing Plantations as "Ceylon, Mauritius, and the principal Australian Colonies" which, as you inform me, "are called upon to contribute more liberally" towards the support of H.M. Troops which are maintained in those Colonies chiefly for the protection of Colonial interests.
In Hongkong, the Troops are stationed there for National and not for Colonial objects. They are not, in my opinion, maintained for the protection of any mere Colonial trade or interests, as is assumed in your despatch.
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Are are which you inform " to be called upon to contribute more liberally " towards the support of H. M. Troops which are Maintained " to those Colonies chiefly for " the protection of Colonial intuests.
...for the security