As regards para¡¡raph 14 of War Office
91
letter whilst it is admitted that Military contribution does
not cover cost of garrison it is vry strongly felt in the
Colony that garrison is not mainta ned here merely for
defence of Hong Kong akan but also for defence of British
interests in China and that it wou d be entirely inequitable
to charge Hong Kong with the whole cost.
Before any actin is taken to charge
military contribution on interest and Sinking Fund either
existing Bublic Works Loan or on proposed new loan astion
which will arouse acute unofficial opposition I suggest
that Peel be consulted.
Matter is urgent as Estimates for 1933
arè now being considered and military contribution on
interest and Sinking Fund for 192 Loen alone would be over
180,000 dollars.
2 END
3