21
What is "a divergence of o, inion as to the facts
of the case"? The facts are clear, and the
ir Ministry themselves think it equitable that
they should contribute half the cost 19.
so that this shabby refusal to reimburse
Hong kong must make an unfavourable impression
in the Colony.
The only advantage of a conference
- if
it is an advantage - will be to let the Treasury
know in unofficial language our opinion of the
mean and pet ifog ing methods adopted by H.L.G.
to extract from the Colonies suns trifling
in themselves but of importance to local
revenues. se get examples of this every day -
the latest is an attempt to defraud den of a
few thousand pounds in defiance of public
promises.
I agree that a con; rehensive remo.
should be prepared as a basis for our represent-
ative at the conference. It will have to
cover everything, as all sorts of side issues
}
may be brought into the scope for further
argument". but I should propose to stymie the
op, osition by stating flatly that, until a settle-
rent of Hong hong's claim is reached, the local
government will be authorised to refuse to co-
operate in any further work of this nature
except on terms of payment in advance.
H. R. Lowell
In Bridges
Castle
the word
21.11.36
to her heilding kis
had they ban
consulted before the work верю
Laven
hat in
have in the Cir kaimitey's letter