CO129-100 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [9] — Page 82

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to by eight out of the nine Anembus present, and recorded on the minutes, to the effect that in the opinion of

the Council the Colonial revenues cannot fairly be charged with contribution towards the Military

expenditure rendered necessary by Imperial requirements in China and

Japan.

This opinion

was

based

the same grounds as those

adopted at the Public Meeting

upon

the 23rd Ultimo, that the

maintenance of troops in Hongkong

is no

longer necessary for the

security of the inhabitants, or

for the protection of any

Colonial interest.

The only

dissentient to this resolution was

the

Acting Chief Justice, and he stated that

he believed his

opinion

was not shared

by any other resident in the Colony

10.

I may mention that the

principle of calling on all colonies to contribute as

far

as

they

are able

towards the cost of the Military defence

of local interests is here acknowledged to the fullest extent, but it is simply denied that Troops are required in Hongkong for any purpose.

And it is further maintained that this Colony would

profit by the withdrawal of the troops

far

more

than it

gains indirectly