5876-150) Wt. 14813-85 5,000 6/40 T.S. 695
17
C. O.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Sir A. Burns.
Mr. G. L. M. Clauson.
Mr. C. J. Jeffries.
Mr. A. J. Dawe.
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
DRAFT.
FURTHER ACTION.
enclosed in Mr. Smith's
despatch under reference, that it is
a matter of indifference to the
Government of Hong Kong whether it
that consideration in
obtains
(py pighto
the form of annual rent, or a lump
sum premium, or a combination of
both. I note also that the number
of leases concerned totals 1,344;
anghough I was not aware of the
total number of Crown leases granted
Leems clear in the Colony, it
that
these 75 year leases are but a small
proportion of the total number held
in the Colony. In these circumstances
I am doubtful whether it would be
wise
for the Government of Hong
Kong to become involved in lengthy
or exasperating controversy with
an important section of the
unofficial community on an issue of luch
S. I
comparatively small importance.
am of a buson,
therefore, that no
premium should be haut fish
required
for the
of 75 year leases of Crown
land, but that such leases should be
hauted
on payment of a rent which
need not be the current rate of Crown
rent for the locality, or even the
fair and reasonable value of the holding,
but should
in addition to the latter freuve delitian
payment in respect off
include
equivalente the premium
other wase
required
which would have been bed on the
nout of a heck
lease