No: CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
RECE
-3 MAY 1939
53653/35
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONG KONG.
15th April, 1939.
2 on /35.
Award. 2.
I have the honour to refer to previous
correspondence ending with your confidential telegram
No.141 of 31st August, 1935, regarding financial assistance
to the Hong Kong Travel Association and to enclose for
your information copies of recent correspondence with the
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and a memorandum by
the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association
on the subject of the future financing of it.
2.
It appears clear that the Association cannot
carry on if it has to rely on subscriptions from individual
business firms and the corresponding dollar for dollar grant
from the Colonial Government, and that unless the Colonial
Government is able to assume greater responsibilities, the
Association will probably have to be wound up.
3.
In these circumstances the whole question has
recently been discussed with the unofficial members of
Legislative Council. They were unanimously of opinion
that the Association should be continued in being and that
its maintenance should be accepted as a charge on the tax-
payer. They moreover expressed the opinion that if it is
to discharge its duties properly it may be necessary to
contemplate the provision of funds up to as much as $50,000
per annum. I have accordingly to request your approval
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
&c., &c., &c.
3/2
19