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From Messrs. Shelford, Donaldson, and Seah Liang Seah to His Excellency the Governor, Straits Settlements.
Singapore, 4th January, 1895.
At the last meeting of the Legislative Council, held on the 10th ultimo, there was laid on the table by your Excellency's directions, the despatch of the Secretary of State. relating to the adjustment of the Military Contribution for the quinquennial period of 1804-98.
2. It is needless to say that the decision of Her Majesty's Government, which we are bound to assume is final, in no degree fulfils the reasonable expectation of the people of the Straits Settlements by lightening the burden of the military charges which are so heavily pressing upon the finances of the Colony, nor are we able to regard the conclusions arrived at as a just fulfilment of the undertaking given by Her Majesty's Ministers to the House of Commons, in August, 1891: That if the revenues of the Colony should decrease, if they are less able to bear the contribution than they now are, Her Majesty's Government would be inclined to review the situation."
The despatch expresses regret that it should have been found necessary to grant even the temporary abatement of 20,0001, in 1894, and of 10,000 in 1895, which it is in contemplation to recover in the later years of 1897-98.
Her Majesty's Government thereby entirely avoids the contention of the Colony sustained throughout the last five years, that the cost of the garrison should be appor- tioned, as in the case of the forts and armaments, with due regard to Imperial and Colonial interests, and abides by the agreement of 1866.
The letter written under directions of Lord Knutsford to the War Office, dated 4th May, 1888, sets out the changed conditions which have obtained since the opening of the Suez Canal, and nothing can be added to so clear and succint a statement.
The despatch reiterates the claim of Her Majesty's Government to charge the full cost of the garrison, re-asserts the obligation of the Colony in respect to military lands and buildings, and "reserves all rights claimed on behalf of the Home Government should a fuller assertion appear reasonable on or after 1899."
The claim of the Colony to consideration in these respects has thus been set aside. The contribution was fixed in 1888 upon a rising revenue of 3,858,909 dollars, and on a basis of 38. per dollar at 660,000 dollars, about 17 per cent.
The estimated revenue of 1894 is 3,818,170 dollars, the reduced contribution of 80,000Z. is equal to 729,000 dollars, about 19 per cent.
The estimated revenue of 1895, enhanced by increased taxation, is 3,973,521 dollars, the contribution of 90,000% is equal at 2) to 830,770 dollars, at the exchange of the day to 900,000 dollars, about 22 per cent.
The revenue in 1888, taken at 38. in sterling, was 578,0001, the contribution 100,000/
The estimated revenue in 1895, at 21 is 430,5004, or at the exchange of the day, 397,500, the contribution 90,0007.
In 1888 there were reserves amounting to 1,663,762 dollars, which had been gradually built
up in prosperous years in accordance with Lord Kimberley's instruc- tions of 1882 "to meet emergencies which may arise in the future owing to bad seasons, depression of trade, or other calamity."
Almost the whole of this fund was absorbed in meeting the increased military charge and claims, as set out in the memorandum of the Audit Department, dated the 6th October, 1892.
These reserves are now entirely exhausted, and Her Majesty's Government also proposes to appropriate any yearly balances of revenue which may be procurable.
The heavy fall in silver has greatly increased the cost of gold remittances to meet necessary civil charges, such as stores, pensions, &c., and which at a difference between 3. and 28. 2d. will probably not be less than 175,000 dollars, to which has now to be added the exchange compansation of 105/115,000 dollars.
The revenue in meeting these charges is unable to provide needed public works, more especially in the northern settlement, for increased facilities to trade, or in the social and educational progress of the native classes, who are entirely dependant upon the initiative of the Government.
In view of all these circumstances, we are unable to perceive that any "sensible relief" has been afforded to the finances of the Colorry, nor to acknowledge that Her Majesty's Government has treated the question with fairness and equity,
It is generally understood that the principal functions of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council are to advise on matters of finance, but on this question.our string expressions of opinion, which we believe were altogether in accord with those of your Excellency, your Excellency's predecessor and the Executive Council have been entirely ignored.
Year after year the Legislative Council is compelled to pass estimates, which we know are insufficient to meet the wants of the Colony, and to vote sums of money for military purposes, which are greatly in excess of what the Colony can afford to pay.
The determination of Her Majesty's Government, as revealed by the despatch, to pay no heed to our protests, nor to lay down any principle of finality, obliges us to
33
disclaim further reaponsibility for the finances over which this Council is not permitted control, and which are threatened with further inordinate exactions.
We beg, respectfully, therefore, as a final protest against such unjust treatment and disregard of our views, to place our resignations in your Excellency's hands, with the request that you will be pleased to forward them to the Secretary of State.
Had it been practicable we should have preferred to express our views, and the course it becomes us to follow at the table of the Legislative Council, upon your Excellency's return to Singapore, but the gravity of the situation will not admit of further delay, and we are therefore constrained to address your Excellency by letter.
Dear Mr. Talbot,
T. SHELFORD. A. L. DONALDSON. S. LIANG SEAH,
From Mr. T. C. Bogaardt to the Colonial Secretary.
Singapore,
27th December, 1894. With reference to my letter of the 21st instant, I now beg to inform you that I,
at the moment with great regret, cannot accept the Governor's kind offer to renominate me a member of the Legislative Council. It is true that at the time when his Excellency intimated me verbally that it was his intention to reoffer me the seat, I was inclined, and, in fact, had as good as made up my mind to accept it, but since we are (since then) in possession of the last despatch of the Secretary of State, and know how little chance there is for the Colony to get the advocated relief
and
or
reduction in the Military Contribution, I feel I will not be doing justice to the Colony nor to myself to remain longer in the Council, and it is this fact alone which has actuated me to respectfuly decline his Excellency's offer.
I shall nevertheless remain grateful to his Excellency for the honour he has
shown me.
Sir,
Mr. Hüttenbach to the Colonial Secretary.
T. C. BOGAARDT.
Singapore,
2nd January, 1895.
I have the honour to request you kindly to inform his Excellency that I beg to tender my resignation as member of the Legislative Council.
I do so with much regret, and my only object in doing so is to prevent the creation of ill-feeling and class hatred between the various sections of the community.
Nobody should, I take it, be a member of the Council unless prepared and able to speak and act at all times up to his conviction, regardless of consequence.
Abuse or
As far as I am personally concerned this was and still is the case. disadvantages, as far as they affect me personally, I do not mind in the least. But what I could not anticipate when accepting the honour of a seat in Council was that my doings or sayings might be used to spread hatred against classes, the most harmful thing that could happen in a small Colony like this, and which could never be out- weighed by any service I might otherwise be able to render.
It is not only the Military Contribution question which I have in view; the present time is pregnant with many other questions of importance to the Colony, and I must fear that my independent attitude on any of them will lead to the same result.
After mature and calm consideration of the case, I have decided to tender my resignation in order to assure the maintenance of good feeling between all sections of the community. I consider it, however, my duty, in the present state of affairs, should his Excellency desire it, to retain my seat until the Government has made a selection as regards my successor.
Hon. A. P. Talbot,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
(237)
Straits Settlements, Singapore.
A. HÜTTENBACH.
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