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to the R.A.F. authorities here, and an airfield constructed on that
site would from the outset be developed on a military and a commercial
basis.
The R.A.F. and the Military authorities are willing to accept the
proximity of the proposed site to the borders of this territory on the
grounds that aeronautical requirements should, from the Service point
of view, as from the civil point of view, be regarded as paramount.
I have already suggested in my confidential despatch
referred to in paragraph 1 that part of the cost of the proposed air-
field should be borne by the Air Ministry. I trust that the considerations
outlined above may form a useful basis for any representations which may
6.
be made to the Air Ministry on this subject.
7.
I understand from conversations that I have had with the
Allied Air Commander-in-Chief, South East Asia and more recently with
representatives of the Air Ministry, including the Air Member for Supply
and Organization, that if the cost were to be apportioned equally
between the Air Ministry, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Colony,-
that is to say, if each were to pay one third of the total cost, the
arrangement would be in accordance with proposals that are already under
consideration for other airfields and would be regarded by the Air Ministry
as reasonable. This Government would also consider such an apportionment
reasonable and it might therefore be taken as a basis for dis cussion, but
I would repeat the request made in paragraph 10 of my despatch of the
4th September, that general approval of the scheme should be given as
early as possible and that its acceptance should be made the subject of
a communication to the Chinese Government and thereafter of a public
announcement with the least possible delay, and should not await final
agreement as to the ultimate apportionment of the cost.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
huarka
GOVERNOR.