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"of the Legislative Council thereof, for "impressing and regulating Stamp duties "in the Colony."
2.
The unfortunate necessity for introducing thus early in my administration a measure so unpopular as the imposition of a new tax, the discussions to which it has given rise, and the great importance of not casting a hasty or unwise step at a moment so critical in the history of the Colony, have caused me much anxiety.
I therefore desire to place before Your Lordships very clearly the reasons which in my opinion render the enclosed ordinance the best measure under the circumstances.
3.
In my Dispatch No. 87 of 28th July, I transmitted the financial statement which I laid before the Legislative Council on the 25th of that month. It indisputably results therefrom that the Colony is unable to defray the annual cost of the Military Contribution and the naval defence for Public Works and Sanitary purposes.
It is at the same time idle to think of disturbing the decision arrived at by Her Majesty's Government as to the Military Contribution after considerable correspondence and much consideration: Unquestionably it is a just contribution and compared with that of Singapore an extremely light one.
On the supposition that it was to be maintained, I drew up as long ago as...