Ev 24088/09
Strails
424
rate
A
including their enjoyment of the Imperial postage although outside the Empire.
3.
On the other hand it appears that Hong Kong
herself has a not inconsiderable interest in the mainten-
-
ance of the Agencies, and has profited by them in the past,
although now working them at a loss on the whole.
Sha
moreover, is herself responsible for that loss, in having
made what appears to My Lords the unnecessary concession
of penny postage, contrary to the intention of the Post- master General a concession which, once made, may no
doubt be somewhat difficult to withdraw, for reasons of
policy, so long as the Agencies exist.
It would appear
therefore that the communities have a distinct claim
on Hong Kong in the matter, while Hong Kong has really
little if any on the Home Government.
4. The promise which His Majesty's Government has
already made to contribute towards the relief of any dis-
location of Hong Kong finances (anticipated, but it is to be hoped temporary at most) through measures taken with
regard to the opium question, has also to be borne in
mind in this connection.
5. Having regard to all the above points, and in
order to give time for the further consideration of the
Earl of Crewe's general proposal of the 26th August already
mentioned, My Lords feel justified at the most, and that
with great hesitation, in offering to guarantee Hong Kong
for one year against one half of any net loss that may
necessarily