With regard to the famine in China I have learnt with pleasure that you have contributed towards the relief of the sufferers. The question of the advisability of a legislation vote on the machas famine, I wish (though the question is hardly one that can be divorced from party politics) to explain shortly the reason which led me to refuse such a telegram of condolence.
The reason was, that at the date of that telegram it was not considered desirable to invite contributions from the public revenue of Hong Kong, it being expected that any contributions would take the form of private subscriptions. Had the Government required money for this purpose from the colonial revenue subsequently, I should have been glad, in view of the contributions made by the colonial government, to sanction some proposal to the Legislature.
But the existing grant is sufficient for the present, and I now acknowledge the readiness of your proposal: GR1178/1922/32(III).
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