- 2 -
160
Committee, in Select Committee, in the Legislative Assembly, and in the Council of State) and then guided them to fulfil- ment in practice, I am sufficiently aware of both the legislative and the practical aspects of these matters to
be able to judge that this time would be sufficient for me to investigate, report, draw up the necessary legislation, formulate in detail a scheme to administer the tax, and make proposals as to the staff required. As I would fly to England on completion of the task to take a little leave, should the time prove either slightly excessive or deficient the necessary adjustment could be made without difficulty. (Incidentally the Government of India have made it clear that as a condition of releasing me they would insist upon the extension of my contract, and this makes possible the taking of some leave without cutting too deeply into my time
with them.)
-
After
It may seem premature for me to mention terms at this stage, but I prefer at the outset to make these suggestions as comprehensive and as final as possible. On doing a little arithmetic I find that the extra expense both direct
and indirect which I would incur by coming to Hong Kong would be such that if I were to be paid by the Hong Kong Government on a time basis the rate of pay per annum would look rather formidable, and might embarrass you. careful consideration, therefore, I have come to the con- clusion that the most satisfactory solution would be for your Government to pay me a lump sum for the whole job, leaving me to pay all my own expenses. All I would want the Hong Kong Government to supply at their own expense would be one good stenographer, a call on the services of somebody sufficiently familiar with the legislation and administration of Hong Kong to be able to keep me supplied with all the
necessary local data, and the collaboration of the legal