CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10] — Page 94

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has no objection, and Lord Elgin states it as his view

that unless the deficit to the Taxpayers of this Colony

can be made good, it will be necessary for the Colonial

Government to close the Agencies. The Lords of the Treasury,

however, propose to allow the matter to stand over until

they have received certain returns a year hence, showing

the cost of the Agencies on the new weights &c. The con-

-ditions of the Rome Convention are likely in the opinion

of the Postmaster-General to enhance the loss incurred by

this Government as stated in my Despatch, and therefore in

view of the strong opinion expressed by Lord Elgin,

suggested postponement would hardly seem an equitable

the

arrangement. I have instructed the Postmaster-General to

keep a record of the figures desired by Their Lordships,

and these shall be submitted when the year is completed

(October 1st., 1908). In the meantime I await Your Lord-

-ship's instructions when the reply to your communication

to the Foreign Office has been received.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient,

humble servant,

Governor, 20...