105
of
both
the appeal made by the Governments of the Straits Settlements and Hong Kong, for reconsideration of the claim raised against them for practically the despatch from the Government of Hong Kong resolved itself into an appeal against the claim for a contribution) of £12,700 a year from that Colony on the ground that it is unable to meet coupled with an offer to contribute the sum of £4,000 a year from the set of Khwary 1880 in lieu of the present fluctuating payment of about £3000 based on the loss sustained in recent reductions of postage between this Colony and Hong Kong consequent on the Colony becoming a Member of the Postal Union and receiving its advantages.
I had not intended to make any comments on the Report of the Colonial Post-Master General which forms one of the enclosures to the Governor's Despatch of the 26th of June last, because it seemed to me to contain no arguments on which to found a case for remission or abatement beyond the mere plea of poverty. The benefit derived by the Colony from the reduction of postage and the efficiency of the British Mail Service is fully admitted, and the real question at issue is whether the Colony ought to and is able to pay its fair quota towards the heavy expense incurred in maintaining the Packet Service.
It is futile to argue the point with the Colonial Post-Master General whether Hong