a-year.
48
quarter ended 31st March next will be adjusted at the new rate of 40,0007 This matter is so pressing that Mr. Stanhope will be glad if you will cause the Governor at Hong Kong to be communicated with by telegraph.
RALPH THOMPSON.
49
Enclosure 1 in No. 36.
COPY of telegram from Lord Knutsford to Sir G. Des Voeux, dated 13th February, 1891.
"Referring to my despatch No. 241, last year's increased contribution should be paid as soon as possible. Telegraph reply."
Enclosure 1 in No. 35.
Copy of telegram from War Office to General, Hong Kong. "Has Colony paid increased contribution, year ended 31st December last?"
Enclosure 2 in No. 36.
1891.
COPY of telegram from Sir G. Des Voeux to Lord Knutsford, dated 17th February,
"In answer to your telegram of 13th February, money paid.
Enclosure 2 in No. 35.
COPY of telegram from General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong, to Secretary of State for War.
"Colony paid no increase, and I have received no instructions."
No. 36.
CONTRIBUTION.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street,
Sir,
40248 237
40248 266
21st February, 1891. In reply to your letter, of the 12th instant, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Stanhope, copies of telegraphic correspondence with the Governor of Hong Kong, as noted in the margin,* relative to the payment of the increased Military Con- tribution from that Colony for the year 1890, together with copy of a despatch to Governor respecting the Contribution for 1891.
Sir,
Enclosure 3 in No. 36.
Lord Knutsford to Sir G. Des Vœux.
Downing Street,
13th February, 1891. I am informed by the Secretary of State for War that the full Military Contri- bution for the year 1890 has not yet been paid, and I have accordingly telegraphed to you this day requesting that the balance of the amount should be paid to the military authorities as soon as possible.
I observe that the increased contribution has now been voted for this year, and you will of course see that the proper amount is paid at the end of the current quarter. I shall address you separately in regard to the protest on this subject of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council enclosed in Mr. Fleming's despatch, No. 449, of 22nd December last,
Sir,
40248 237
of 12th
2. I am at the same time, with reference to your letter,t November last, and previous correspondence, to request you to lay before Mr. Stanhope the enclosed copy of the protest of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, which is referred to in the last paragraph of Lord Knuts- ford's despatch of the 13th instant, and the draft of the despatch which his Lordship proposes, with Mr. Stanhope's concurrence, to address to the Governor on the subject. I am to request that the numbers and cost of the present. garrison, referred to in the enclosed draft, may be verified from the latest returns in possession of the War Office.
209
3. I am to take this opportunity of inquiring, with reference to the last paragraph of your letter, 40248
of 14th July last, whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the class of Indian troops which it is proposed to enlist for service in Hong Kong.
JOHN BRAMSTON.
* Telegram to Governor, 13th February, 1891. Telegram from Governor, 17th February 1891. Despatch to Governor, No. 33, 13th February.
‡ No. 32.
‡ No. 26.
KNUTSFORD,
Enclosure 4 in No. 36.
DRAFT.*
Downing Street,
February, 1891. With reference to my despatch No. 33 of the 13th instant, I have the honour to inform you that I have given careful consideration to the views of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, regarding the increased Military Contribution as expressed in the memorandum which formed the 4th enclosure to Mr. Fleming's despatch, No. 449, of 22nd December last, to the effect that the contribution should not be increased until the garrison has been brought up to its full strength.
In reply to this memorandum, I have to point out that if the Colonial Contribu- tion covered the whole cost of the garrison, there would, in my opinion, be just grounds for claiming a rebate for deficient numbers, which is generally granted under such circumstances, but as the contribution bears only a small proportion to the total cost. not only of the garrison ultimately to be provided, but of that which is actually present in the Colony, no such claire arises in this case.
I am unable to admit the allegation that the demand for the increased contribu- tion was based solely upon the proposed further increase of the garrison; for in para- graph 15 of my despatcht No. 8, of 20th January, 1890, I laid down the general principle that the Colonies, so far as their means allow, should provide the whole cost of their land defence.
It must also not be forgotten that the strength and the cost of the garrison has con- siderably rizen since the contribution of 20,000. a-year was fixed in 1863, with the intention of increasing it at the end of five years, an intention which was never carried In that year the garrison consisted of 1,000 of all ranks, and its cost was 100,000, whereas the garrison now present in Hong Kong, according to the latest
ont.
* For letter as despatched, e Enclosure 2 in No. 39.
† Enclosure in No. 18.
198