33
the time. In spite of occasional
anomalies it is not unsatisfactory
as an index of themeans of the
Colony.
The Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury have represented to me
that the exemption from assessment
for contribution of any items of
revenue which were taken into account
in reaching this figure would pro
tanto disturb the proportion between
means and contribution then judged,
after careful consideration, to be
equitable, and that it would be
accordingly be necessary to restore
the proportion by a corresponding
increase in the percentage, if such
exemptions were allowed. On the
other hand, since the deliberations
of the Haliburton Committee, the
sphere of govermental activities in
Hong Kong has been considerably
enlarged