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In this connexion they would suggest that the
Colony have not in fact at any time counted on the repayment
of the overpaid contribution, and that, had they not desired
to utilise it in order to press their claims to the military
lands, they would have been pleased to waive repayment in the
first instance. The War Office have been so much persuaded
of the Colony's liberal attitude that, after keeping the sum
in a suspense account for some time, they surrendered it to
the Exchequer, and it was finally brought to account in aid
of the revenue of a past year. If repayment is now to be
made, it will form an actual addition to the liabilities to
be met by the British taxpayer.
Further, I am again to invite attention to the
fact adverted to in the War Office letter of 20th September,
1921, that for the year immediately following those in which
the overpayments were made, the cost of the garrison
exceeded by over a quarter of a million (more than twice the
sum in question) the contribution received from the Colony.
This position has been repeated during the succeeding years,
in which the portion of the cost falling as
a final charge
upon Army Votes has only in one year fallen below £200,000.
In referring to this fact the Council fully recognise that
the Colony have loyally carried out their engagements and
have contributed substantial sums to the relief of the
British taxpayer, but they would suggest that a full
recognition of the share borne also by Army Funds is not
irrelevant to the question of the refund of a contribution
overpaid in very different circumstances nearly ten years
ago.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.)
A.E. WIDD OWS.