Pagu.
Subject
Serial Yo.
From or to whom
Despatch No., &o.
Date.
Forwards copies of Nos. 135 and 136 and proposes to await the views of the Army Council before coming to a definite conclusion, but considers the for Governor gives strong reasons adhering to the present arrangement, and trasts the Army Council will not press their proposal.
Endorses the views of the Army Council in No. 133 and states that Treasury are unable to admit that any case has been made out. for reducing the amount of the contribution.
119
148
The Governor
Hong Kong, 95.
1909.
xvii
11:
149
War Office ...
Straits
May 20
Settle- inents.
141
To the Governor
Straits
August 21
Settle-
Transmits copies of Nos. 130, 131, 133,
and 140.
120
mente,
Confi.
dential.
142
To Governor
Mauri- tina, Secret.
September 9
M:
War Office ...
Hong Kong,
September 28
181
Ta Governor
Hong Kong, 243.
October 23
145
The Acting Gov-
ernor.
Mauri- tlus, Telegram
Informs him, inter alia, that the 120
Secretary of State does not see his way to place the proposal in No. 134 hefore the Treasury, having regard especially to the smallness of the contribution as compared with the cost of the garrison.
Forwards copy of a letter from the Colonial Secretary to the local military authorities asking for a statement of army expenditure in the Colony in each year from 1864-1907;: considers that such figures should be communi- cated through the Colonial Office, and states that all available figures were furnished in No. 132.
(Rec. Dec. 18) Embodies
Transmits copy of No. 132; regrets inability at present to comply with bis request for returns of the military expenditure of those Governments which provide their own defence.
ananimously resolution adopted by the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council "that, as measure of relief to the Colony in ita present depressed financial con- dition, Colony, be exempted for a period of three years from the pay- ment of the military contribution."
121
123
1909.
146
Ditto
Mauri- tius. Secret.
December 16, 1908 (Rec. Jun. 18. 1909.)
147
War Office ...
Hong Kong.
March 2
Reports on the financial situation and states that notice has been given by Mr. Leclézio of a motion asking for the abatement of the military con- tribution for three years.
Asks for an explanation of the dia
crepancy between the revenue upon which the contribution for 1907 was assessed and the revenue actually received.
150
To War Office
Straits Settle- menta.
Subject.
l'ag.
April 7 (Rec. May 13.)
June 8
Forwards letter from Colonial Treasurer explaining that the discrepancy re- ferred to in No. 147 was due to the decision to apply certain revenue to the payment of interest on advances for railway construction, thereby excluding it from assessment to con- tribution.
Asks for explanation of the action of the Colonial Government in assessing net, instead of gross, receipts from Government buildings let for profit; declines to concar in the exemption of any portion of the liquor farm rents from assessment; asks that any Ordinances affecting the military contribution may be referred to the War Office, and that items of previous expenditure to which the 4 per cent. reduction applies may not be included in statemente for the current year.
Explains, in reply to No. 149, that the revenue from Government buildings let for profit was not assessed for military contribution, as such build- ings are regarded as productive under takings; trusts that the Army Council will concur that the deduction was properly made; enquiry is being made of the Governor as to the liquor farm revenue.
Fails to understand on what grounds it is held that revenue applied as stated in No. 148 should be excluded from assessment to contribution, and aske that a further explanation may be obtained from the Governor.
Submits proposals for the formation of Education Board, which will receive direct fees paid in Govern- ment schools, involving a decrease in the military contribution.
Notifies proposed establishment of a Board of Education, involving the direct receipt by the Board of all fees charged in Government schools, which will slightly reduce the revenne assessed to military contribution.
Approves proposals in No. 152 and states that War Office are being informed of proposal that school fees should no longer appear in the Colonial Estimates but be paid direct to the Board of Education.
States that the Army Council are of pinion for the reasons stated that the revenue from Government buildings let to Government officers should con- tinue to be assessed in the gross.
125
125
126
126
127
129
130
130
151
War Office...
Hong Kong.
June 12
152
The Governor
123
Straits
May 27 Settle-(Rec. June 21.) menis, 223.
an
153
To War Office
Straite
July 13
Settle-
ments.
123
154
To the Governor ...
Straits
July 13
Settle-
ments,
176.
124
155
War Office...
Straite
July 14
Bettle.
ments.
24618
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :---
C.O. 882
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
|ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
Arial Na.
whom.
Despatch No., &c
Date.
xviii
1909.
Subject.