DRAFT.
Downing Street,
22 April, 1901.
HONG KONG No. 133
Governor Sir H.A. Blake.
MINUTE.
A.F.16/1.
Mr. in Thurn 16/IV.
Mr. Antrobus,
Mr. Cox.
Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Graham.
Sir M. Ommanney.
Earl of Onslow.
Mr. Chamberlain.
22 April
Sir,
I have been in communication with the
Secretary of State for War on the subject of
your despatch No.483 of the 4th November
last, relative to the position of the
Governor as a Member of the Committee estab-
lished under Section 45 of the Finance Regu-
lations for the Army, 1899, for the consi-
deration of the Annual Military Estimates.
2. Were the Governor to attend the Com-
mittee, he would attend as Governor and
would preside at the meetings, being respon-
sible for any financial proposal submitted
to the Committee; but inasmuch as, since the
passing of the new Military Contribution
Ordinance, the Hong Kong Government is no
longer directly interested in the Military
Estimates to the same extent as before, I am
of opinion, and the Secretary of State for
War