Hong Kong 8/1307.
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of an Interdepartmental Committee endorsed by the Treasury, Colonial Office, and War Office, and its right interpretation and application are not matters of pure law but of policy, and belong in last resort, as this Office contends, to the Government.
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Again, with regard to the 4th paragraph of the Colonial Office letter, I am to observe that Mr Stanhope is not unprepared to accept the contention of the Colonial Office, with the proviso that the Colony, having set aside the value of the land in question as a Capital Contribution towards its defence, holds itself liable to reproduce such value when required for similar purposes.
A copy of this letter has been sent to the
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Colonial Office.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Signed.
RH Knox