The principles involved, & it might I think wait for consideration with the Straits proposal.
It might be possible to use the fact that the Ceylon have asked to raise its maximum contribution from 3242 to ... Samson ... its maximum contribution to the whole cost of ... in ...
10. I Treasury to ... the order system of ... to press to agree assessment on net revenue ... PJIS a.l. + 1/5-
In the reply to this Letter the following Number should be quoted. 4941 08
I think we might send to ... in a confidential despatch ... to cover the when the ... hear saying that the S.gt. will await a further Expression ... quite mins ... the mean ... and Acting ... time he is consulting D.D. with ... Last ... regarding the abstention often ... And dose? ... reti: Mht. Juny 2 at once 2/5
Sir, 12471 101 SAR 08
TREASURY CHAMBERS, April 1908.
The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have given Their careful consideration to Mr. Antrobus's letters of the 8th January last (44835/07), with enclosed communication from the Governor of Hong Kong relative to the cost of the British Postal Agencies at the Treaty Ports of China, and of the 24th ultimo (8075/08), referring specially to the maintenance of the British Agency at Tientsin.
My Lords have consulted the Army Council on the suggestion of the Earl of Elgin that the Military Contribution should be paid only on the net profits, if any, derived from the Agencies, and I am now to transmit a copy of the reply received from the War Office dated the 13th ultimo, from which it will be observed that the Council deprecate such a departure from the principles on which the existing contribution is based, and point out that the Governor's proposal, if accepted, would throw a further charge on Army funds, which, it appears to My Lords, would not be justified, regard being had to the heavy excess in the cost of the garrison over the present contribution.
There remains to consider the suggestion made by the Governor that the privilege of the 1 penny rate should be withdrawn from the Treaty Ports (except so far as ...
Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
Hong Kong
W. & B. Ltd. 16679-6,000-10-7.