Cry
Come
at
time to come
any rate
balance in hand,
amounting
to
Excessors,
that increased Expenditure will only be called for by increased prosperity, which will furnish the means of meeting it.
Although therefore I am aware that the receipts from Land sales may be expected to fall off, I think it undeniable that the general financial position of Hong Kong is, and is likely to remain, in a highly sound and prosperous state.
I can hardly doubt that under these circumstances, an annual sum of $30,000 or much more should be available for Public Works & Military extraordinary purposes.
This will be obtained without exciting uneasiness in a colony which has inhabitants paying import duties.
Under no circumstances is Hong Kong incapable of contributing towards her Military defence, of which the average cost to the Imperial Government during the 4 years preceding the China War was about £70,000.
It is contemplated now that the force to be permanently stationed in the Colony shall be about 1000 strong, although this includes Artillery, and the question is...