per cent of the gross revenue, proceeds of land sales.
less the amount to be contributed to the cost of defence.
2. I request you to inform the Members of the Council, that Her Majesty's Government regret that they cannot agree to this proposal, as they cannot admit that a fixed rate of contribution for all time, irrespective of the comparative financial ability of the Colony to bear its proportion of the cost of its defence, is a fair or reasonable arrangement.
3. You will remember that in Viscount Knutsford's draft despatch of 20th Jan, 1890, the contribution of £40,000 a year was fixed for three years only, (afterwards extended to five years), with the distinct understanding that the rate would be reconsidered later on and possibly increased. The Members of the Council were under the impression that there was a reconsideration in consequence of their representations that the above contribution was excessive.
4. They are also under a misapprehension in supposing that my despatch ...