118
Majesty's Government to make a substantial
contribution towards the Colony's loss of
Revenue.
2.
mendation
I am to point out that the recou-
referred to in the concluding
paragraph of the labber from this Depart-
ment of the 23rd of September last was
that a contribution should be made by His
Majesty's Government covering one half of
the direct loss of opium revenue during
three years after the £9000 granted on
account of the year 1910 had been taken
into consideration.
If the Secratast
State rightly understande Their Lordships'
doy not tharters
present offer be ecmcaivəs
now wholly carry out Lord Crewe's recoin-
mendation.
3.
Though the sum of £12,000 in
respect of each of the years 1911 and 1912
together with the £9000 already given
would cover half the prospective loss
28185/10
(with the promiss o "Vimilar payment
1912-37
normal
erdummy circumstances at home,
there now
Juch they
existing
estimated when the Hong Kong opium farm was
let for the period 1910-12, circu-stances
might mat
arise in which half
the loss would amount to a
z larger
sui.
Mr, Harcourt is however prepared to
accept on behalf of the Hong Kong Government
the proposal that the £12,000 should be
placed on the Imperial Estimates for 1911-
sufficient
12 as instalment on account/
account! on the
understanding that Their Loruships agree in
the principle that half the direct loss
should be borne by the Imperial Government
and that if a contingugey should arise
the
rasulting in a retter loss to Hong Kong
prous grouter
/than that
at first anticipated,
will
the Lords Commissioners wed permit the
whole question to be re-opened and undertake
to give their most favourable and sympathetic
consideration to the Colony's case for
further relief.
estimated
4.
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