Evening
that was their only objection to a Stamp Act it was absurd. There were objections once in England against Stamps, but ultimately it was found out that the principle was equitable and right, and now no one said a word against it. There had been a great deal said at the other meeting about the military contribution (laughter), but they seemed to have been satisfied with it! (cries of "no, no.") He was not standing there to answer any one of the arguments about the Governor. He admired His Excellency's policy in steering clear of everybody. What was the use of a Governor in a Colony like this, if he would not take up a position and adhere to it? Oh, it was said, but he ought to refer to the upper crust, to the crême de la crême of the colony (such laughter). But he must not get all the cream; let the skim milk come in (renewed laughter). The fact was that the rich people intended to leave as soon as possible, and leave their predecessors to pay the taxes (loud laughter). Mr. Barnard again urged that the Stamp Act was commendable, as it would make foreign bank-shareholders pay towards the support of the colony. The Act would make very little difference to the merchants, who would charge their client's pockets, and not their own; and he was certain it would prevent litigation. He had not long been in the colony, when he said to the Attorney General "How is it you have no Stamp Act here ?" He replied, "I do not know; but I hope we shall get one, one day." It would prevent a large amount of perjury and litigation. As for its being "vexatious," all taxation was vexatious; people who paid it were most anxious to be rid of it. The memorialists represented a large section of the community but not the whole of it; and as for the Chinese really he thought the Governor was right (no, no). Mr Barnard pointed out that the memorialists had not indicated a satisfactory substitute for the Stamp Act, expressed his own willingness to consent to a tax on professions or trades, and avowed his belief that the time would come when even the memorialists would be perfectly satisfied with the Act (great laughter).
The CHAIRMAN then read the resolution again, and asked if anybody would second it.
Mr RYDER: I second the motion.
Mr STOBEY rose to speak to the motion, With reference to the proposed appeal to the Secretary for the Colonies, he must confess that from his experience he thought it would be a mere loss of time and paper. They knew very well what reply they had received to their protest against the military contribution; he was quite sure that rarely, if ever, would they find the Colonial Office step in between their Governor and his policy, so long as they did not see any actual injustice inflicted. As to the Governor's speech. He confessed that when the Stamp Act was introduced, he was opposed to its schedule, but he did not sign the memorial because he did not think that due consideration had been given to His Excellency's letter.(hear). The public seemed at that time to be seized with a rabid desire to do something against the Governor, and His Excellency's letter was entirely ignored. His Excellency had clearly said that he was open to conviction, and not only himself introduced modifications of the original schedule, but invited suggestions for further amendment. But no such advice as he sought was over tendered to him; and in his (Mr S.'s) opinion His Excellency had shown a manly, straightforward spirit in passing the Act as he had done. It was now perfect, as far as it went; but the Governor would modify it still further, if required on good ground (cheers).
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As for the Governor's reply to the Memorial, he considered it to be perfectly unanswerable; he had cut the ground from under the memorialists' feet completely-(cheers). If there was one point more than another to which that remark would apply, it was that relating to the item of $4,000 dollars for road at Kowloon. His Excellency said the Government was bound by agreement with its tenants to incur that expenditure. The ground at Kowloon was sold four years ago, and the new road was then shown. The person who owned the land would have been able to deal with it had faith been kept with him; and he (Mr S.) said there was an honesty displayed in the Governor's determination to fulfil faith with the public that deserved commendation (cheers). The land was sold on the condition that the road should be made. Mr Storey supported His Excellency's views with respect to the water-rates. It was notorious that the existing water rates were paid by numbers who did not receive the supply of water they were entitled to (cheers), and he could scarcely see why, when the promised supply was given, an additional payment should be demanded by increase of rates (cheers). He was paying coolies to bring water to his house-water for which he already paid rates, and he knew many persons who were in the same condition. In the speech His Excellency had met this question and every other with argument fairly, openly, and honestly, with perfect honesty to the public and to his own convictions; and he (Mr S.) was sure that His Excellency's policy would turn out to be the most honest in its results (cheers). He repeated it would be a waste of time, under the circumstances, to send any memorial to the Secretary of State. But before concluding, he would remark that there was one thing the public had to thank the memorialists for. Had it not been for the severe opposition, partly personal opposition ---- for which they had to thank the memorialists, the Governor would not have had an opportunity of showing what stuff he was made of (cheers). He hoped His Excellency would long remain in the Colony-(cheers), and he would gladly pay his quota of taxation under the new Stamp Act. The suggested increase of the house duty would have been infamous, for it would have pressed heavily on those who were now sufficiently hardly pressed (cheers) The Governor had hit the right nail on the head, when he placed the additional taxation on the shoulders of those who could best afford to bear it-(cheers).
There being no one else desirous to address the meeting.
The Chairman put the motion. Half the number of those present held up their hands in its favour; of the remaining moiety, only eight voted at all, and they declared against the resolution, which was accordingly carried.
Mr ARTHUR here rose and remarked there had been a good deal said about bankers in regard to this Stamp Act. A case had arisen the other day in regard to which he had received a letter from His Excellency in which he found the Banks after all were going to get off easier than they had at first supposed.
The CHAIRMAN then declared the proceedings at an end, and the meeting broke up.