52
its proportion of the cost, viz., 40,000% per annum, provided there is no very large deficiency of men at any time, but as the basis of the present demand is the provision of additional troops, his Lordship thinks there is reason in the contention of the Legislative Council that they should not pay the increased contribution until the troops are provided."
And paragraph 5 of same despatch reads---
"Lord Knutsford desires me to add that the liberal manner in which the unofficial members of the Hong Kong Legislature have met the demands of the Imperial Government, has enabled a constitutional crisis to be averted, and it will, in his Lordship's opinion, be politic to make any concession which may be possible to meet their views.
In the above Colonial Office despatch Lord Knutsford distinctly informs the War Office that the Colony cannot be expected to pay its proportion of the extra cost of the increased garrison until the additional troops have been provided. No extra or additional troops have been provided during the year 1890, therefore no additional expense has been incurred. Yet we are called upon to vote the increased contribution through the Council, and in spite of the fact that circumstances have in no way changed since the date of the above Colonial Office despatch to the War Office was penned.
Such an arbitrary proceeding is not only unjust, but is calculated to bring about a constitutional crisis. There has been no unwillingness on the part of the Colony to bear its share of the burdens imposed by the Imperial Government. instance a distinct promise was made to increase the garrison of the Colony. No In the present increase has been made, but payment of an additional contribution is demanded, while no increased expenditure has been incurred. be called upon for any extra vote until the War Office have carried out their promise We consider the Colony should not to increase the garrison.
We, the unofficial members, jointly and severally protest against the action of Her Majesty's Government in increasing the Military Contribution from the Colony before an increase has been made to the garrison, and we request your Excellency to forward these addenda to Lord Knutsford, so that his Lordship may see that the pledges of the Imperial Government in regard to providing additional troops are adhered to in their entirety before the Colony is asked to pay an increased contribution.
Hong Kong.
1st December, 1890.
(Signed)
P. RYRIE.
C. P. CHATER.
J. J. KESWICK.
HO KAI, M.B., C.M.
T. H. WHITEHEAD,
59.
any of them over until some decision has been arrived at as to the housing of the bulk of the garrison, and especially as to the proposal by the Colony that they should find sites for, and build, new barracks and other military establish- ments outside Victoria, in return for all the property held by the War Depart- ment in Victoria.
I am to request, therefore, that you will have the goodness to move Lord Knutsford to prevail upon the Colonial Government to hand over the land, leaving the question of other sites and of the title to be settled as part of the general barrack scheme.
I am to point out that the Committee on Colonial Military Contribu- tions recommended, in paragraph 35 of their report, that such sites should be supplied by the Colony, and that the value of the site in question can hereafter be set off against the value of the sites which may be surrendered by the War Department.
RALPH THOMPSON.
No. 38.
CONTRIBUTION,
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office,
Sir,
27th February, 1891. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter* of the 21st instant, and to inform you that he coueurs in the draft despatch which Lord Knutsford proposes to address to the Governor at Hong Kong on the subject of the protest of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council relative to the increased Military Contribution demanded from the Colony.
Mr. Secretary Stanhope would, however, observe that the total strength of the garrison may now be set down as 1,700 of all ranks, and the cost as, approximately, 180,0001. a-year.
With reference to the last paragraph of your letter, I am to inform you that the proposal of the Indian Government- a proposal concurred in by this office-is to raise the Indian battalion for service at Hong Kong from among the Mohammedans of Upper India. Steps are being taken to organize the corps as soon as may be practicable.
RALPH THOMPSON.
Hong Kong
2
4420
LANDS.
Sir,
No. 37.
War Office to Coloniul Office.
War Office, 26th February, 1891.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of Lord Knutsford, that, for the accommodation of the increased garrison of Hong Kong, a piece of land is required near Victoria Battery, close to Belcher's Point, for the erection of a barrack for European and native Artillery.
The Colonial Government are willing to hand over the site on certain conditions, if they receive in returu several properties which Mr. Secretary Stanhope is of opinion are of much greater value, viz. :-----
The site of Murray Battery.
"}
Stanley Barracks.
old Sanian Barracks.
Ground near Kowloon Police Station.
Ground between the Naval Yard and You-ma-te, and ground near the
south-east angle of Kowloon.
Perhaps in the future it may be practicable to hand over to the Colony some of these properties, but it is not advisable, or indeed possible, to hand
No. 39.
CONTRIBUTION.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street,
Sir,
4th March, 1891. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Stanhope, with reference to the letter from this departmentt of the 19th of November last, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule, which relates to the Hong Kong Military Contribution.
ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
Date.
28th January
Description.
Despatch from Governor of Hong Kong.
* No. 36.
↑ No. 34.
200
40248
273
276
$