Atom in Ble! 1002 defect Committee? of the House of Comments and Colonials and Military expenditure included Hang Hong as the Case of Military
Garrison's
"
Naval Stations, Carrot Depots, maintained chiefly for objects of Imperial policy, the responsibility and main cost "If the defence of such property devolved on the "Imperial Parliament" -
Put-beyond/ Mac? circonstances already referred to, I am desired to point out to your Grace? Meat He several expenditure undertaken?
the Government by Hong Kong and for which Sums have been or are being raised, which involves an additional burden upon the revenues of the Colony, independent of that which is especially in question. The Government has thought fit to establish Military works at a cost of between £40,000 and £70,000, with very great measure of saving to the Imperial Government. Although this was done during Sir Hercules Robinson's tenure, he stated in his letter of 19th April 1864, "that he would never have recommended the establishment of a Dockyard at the expense of the Colony if he had known that a Military contribution of £20,000 a year was to be imposed" and he urged that when his objection to the military contribution had been successful, that the sum necessary for this outlay (paying out in advance) should be considered as a set-off towards the military contribution. Unfortunately for the interests of the Colony, this did not meet with favourable consideration.
Under the most favourable circumstances, a necessity for increased internal expenditure has arisen in the Colony, especially in maintaining and supporting the Quays which skirt the Harbour for nearly two miles and which have been largely destroyed by Typhoons. It has been found necessary, in order to meet this general expenditure, to impose taxes in the nature of Stamp duties, which are very distasteful to the Community in Hong Kong, and the whole Imperial arrangements, in connection with the Military, are causing apprehension and uncertainty on the part of the Chinese Community and the mercantile interests, which endangers the commercial existence of the Colony.
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The circumstances connected with these matters are stated at length in the petition and correspondence appended to it, which accompany this letter, and I do not therefore propose to trouble your Grace on this occasion with further details. My purpose in making this communication is limited to the object of directing your Grace's attention to the subject and to the solicitation of an interview at which a deputation from the parties resident here, who are interested in the Trade and Commerce of the Colony, may be permitted to confer with your Grace and to point out the objections which exist in their minds to the policy of the measures in connection with the management of the Colony.
I enclose your Grace the petition and accompanying Correspondence in a printed form for your greater convenience in perusal, and I would request your Grace to grant an early day, as soon as possible, for an interview.
The Right Honorable
I have the honour to be
My Lord Duke, Your Grace's humble Servant
His Grace The Duke of Buckingham
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