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order to meet the wishes of the Army Council,
10.
I venture to urge upon Your Grace's
consideration that this Colony is the centre of an ever-
growing trade of very great importance to the people of Great Britain; but that its vast potentialities cannot be
properly developed owing to its inability to remove unaided
the Military incubus which occupies, with no benefit to
Military efficiency and to the great detriment of the civil
community, large areas essential to commerciel progress. It is, I submit, manifestly in Imperial interests that the
Army Council should cease to put difficulties in the way of
reforms which are long overdue. The matter is one on which
the whole of the articulate community of Hongkong feels very strongly and I am bound to warn Your Grace that further delay on the part of the Army Council in accepting a
reasonable solution will result in a violent recrudescence
of the opposition to the payment of the large Military
Contribution now made by the Colony.
11.
I would add that Mr. Perkins, Director of
Public Works, proposes to proceed to England in May, and he will be available to furnish Your Grace with any further
information which may be required.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble servent,
B.E. Stubbs
Governor, &c.