PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O. 882
Reference :-
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON!
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
The object of these amendments. I understood, was to make clear that no part of the money payable under the Ordinance was to be deemed applicable for Imperial purposes
7 'The amendments were supported by all the Unofficial Members present, and I have no reason to suppose the Penang members who were absent) differed from their fellow councillors on this matter
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The amendments were rejected by my personal vote, and the Bill was passed through Committee as drafted
Lenclose copy of the Bill as drafted, and copy of one
2 bedemand 14 March, INC
amendment- inserted of the debate.
with the proposed
I also enclose report
After the rejection of these amendments, Mr. Burkinshaw asked for an adjournment of six weeks in order that you might be placed in possession of the unanimous views of the Unofficial Members present, and as I thought it was politic not create any sore feeling by seeming inconsiderate of their wishes, I assented. and should be glad to receive any views by telegraph or despatch which you may have to express on the matter
Enclosure 2 in No 2.
I have. &c..
CB1 MITCHELL
Amendments proposed by Mr Burkinshaw are shown in obliterated type and
italics
A BILL intituled an Ordinance to repeal and re etmet with amendments “ The Defence
Contribution Ordinances 1×96 and 1×98
Whereas it is expedient to repeal and re-enact with amendments" The Defence Contribution Ordinance 1×96."
And whereas inasmuch as the Colony does not maintain its own Military forces nor supply its own armaments it is deemed advisable that the Colony shall pay a `contribution to the Imperial Government towards the cost incurred by the Imperial Government in supplying the defence of the Colony and the armaments of the Colony and in establishing and maintaining the forts of the Colony such contri- bution to be such a proportion of such cost as can be provided by the Colony paying to the Imperial Government one fifth part of the annual revenue of the Colony:
And whereas the said contribution is intended to be for such defences as are From time to time necessary for the purposes of the Colony only and not for such as are necessitated by the Imperial Government haring created or hereafter creating or using Singapore as an Imperial Couling Station or as an Imperial Nary docking or repairing station or as a base of operations of the Imperial Nary:
And whereas it is intended that the said contribution shall as far as possible be
a fæed and unchangeable contribution by the Colony to the Imperial Government so long as the Imperial Government shall maintain in the Colony Imperial forces and defences the total cost whereof in any year shall not be less than the amount of the said contribution for the same year.'
It is hereby enacted by the Governor of the Straits Settlements with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof as follows:-
Short title.
1.
1899."
Yearly ap-
This Ordinance may be cited as
"The Defence Contribution Ordinance
2. A sum equivalent to twenty per centum of the Colonial revenues shall be propriation appropriated yearly to the Imperial Government as a contribution for the defence
of the Colony.
defence of Colony.
of
Definition 3. The Colonial revenues for the purposes of this Ordinance shall include the gross receipts by the Colony from all sources of revenue but shall not include the Revents, proceeds of land sales and premia on leases or statutory land grants.
"Colonial
Percentage
4. In the first instance the said percentage shall be calculated on the estimated how cale revenue of the year and shall be paid at that rate subject however to revision and
adjustment in the manner following that is to say :—
inted
(1) After the close of any year for which payment shall have been made according to this Ordinance when the actual revenue shall have been ascertained if there shall prove to have been an excess of receipts over
Only one draft is printed; the proposed amendments are shown in obliterated type and italics.
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the estimate a further payment of twenty per centum of such excess receipts shall be made.
(2) If there shall prove to have been a deficiency of receipts compared with the estimate a deduction equivalent to twenty per centum of such deficiency shall be made from the next payment or payments due for the defence contribution
percentage.
5. The said percentage shall be deemed to be a fixed contribution payable by the What ex- Colony in full return for the annual cost of the defence of the Colony mirrim penses are including all capital expenditure for military lands and buildings and the included in cost of maintenance of all military works and buildings and the cost of lodgings in lieu of barracks and all other military charges whatsoever “being such a proportion of the cost incurred by the Imperial Government as can be deemed necessary for the purposes of the Colony only exclusive of such cost as is incurred by the Imperial Government having created or hereafter creating or using Singapore as an Imperial Coaling Station or as an Imperial Nary Docking Station or as a base of operations of the Imperial Nary: Provided that in no year shall the sum paid by way of per- centage exceed the cost of the Garrison for that year"-ovided that-in ne your sha!! the sum paid be met of zeppoutage. expeed-the east of the Garrison for that reas:
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F
6. The said percentage shall be paid monthly on or about the last day of every Percentage month in each year into the Imperial Treasury Chest in the Colony on account of payable
monthly. Her Majesty's Government.
7. "The Defence Contribution Ordinance 1896" and "The Defence Contri Repeal. bution Ordinance Amendment Ordinance 1898 " are hereby repealed.
OBJECTS AND REASONS.
This Bill is introduced by the instructions of the Secretary of State.
It is considered that it will be in many ways more convenient and more to the advantage of the Colony that the Colony should pay twenty per cent. of the Colonial revenue in full discharge of all liabilities in respect of Defence Contribution than that the present system should be maintained, by which in addition to 17 per cent. of the revenue the Colony has to disburse large but uncertain sums in respect of Military works, buildings, and other charges.
W. R. COLLYER,
Attorney-General's Chambers,
Singapore. 26th January, 1899.
Enclosure 3 in No. 2.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Tuesday, 28th February, 1899.
Present:
HIS EXCELlency the Governor
Attorney-General, S. S.
(Sir CHARLES BULLEN HUGH Mitchell, G.C.M.G.).
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary (Sir ALEXANDER SWettenham, K.C.M.G).
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the Colonial Treasurer (F. G. PENNEY).
the Auditor-General (E. C. H. HILL).
the Colonial Engineer (A. MURRAY, Č.E.).
J. BURKINSHAW.
LIM BOON KENG, M.B., C.M.
G. S. MURRAY,
**
J. M. ALLINSON.
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T. C. BOGAARDT.
A
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