16/Abroad/4071(F.1.) 2LB.302/400/01 (PS)
TOP BECHET
Page 41
September, 1957.
would you please refer i
please refer bi guir lester oi
jrů a tauper, 1957, addraged to Johnston (who is away, about the defores e incribation of the Hong Kong devernsent fa: the Financial year 1257/58.
2.
and
As foreshadowed in Johnston's letter of 3rd Jane to helps, tue department nad hai talks with the Colonial Secretary and the Financial Secret ry of hong kong and besides with the governor himself; you may have seen the decorus of the Governor' discussions with the fence Committee and with the Chiefe of staff. There have however as yet been no practical developments arising frur: thoze talks. Farlaps I may say at the sea time that, though there are indeed difficulties to ba overcome before the defence contribution for 1957/58 la available, we do not think that it would be a fair conclusion, from the information evidently gival. by the Accountant General, hung Long, to the Command Vas Kaster, that the Hong Kong Government has "coased paying" the defence contribution for the current year or taken such a decision "without prior consultation and agreement.
T. Page 41 SHELTON, £34.,
WAR OFFIC”.
/3.
Page 41