CO129-358 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [10-11] — Page 272

i

because I understand the advantages to Britis. interests

that those Postal Agencies confer. At the same time the

time has now arrived when it is absolitely unreasonable

to ask the Hongkong taxpayers to pay a single cash towards

their paintenance."

29387

7.

It is argued in Sir G. Murray's

letter of September 2nd., 1909,

(a). that "Hongkong herself has a not inconsider-

-able interest in the maintenance of these Agencies". That

these interests were not considered to be of great

magnitude by the spokesman of the Unofficial Members of

Council, who is also Clairman of the Chamber of Commerce,

may be inferred from his remarks that Hongkong should not

be called upon to pay a "single cash" towards their main-

-tenenco:

(b). that Hongkong has in the past profited by

them. I am unable to admit the justice of this argument.

Naturally the Colony did not undertake to increase its

Postal Staff and its buildings &c., and incur extra work

and responsibility without some profit to its Revenue. The

arrangement was one of mutual benefit and profit. The

losses on continuing them now which are given in my

paragraph 3 above are exclusive of office room and staff

&c.

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