CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910 — Page 109

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that the

one of great financial stress to the Colony

Colony derives no important commercial advantago from

those agencies which are carried on outside her

Jurisdiction and desires to give up their wintonance;

that such advantages are derivod by the British eorarities at the ports where the Agencies are establishod

that those commumitias not unnaturally object to the with-

droal of portal facilities which are no prostor then

thoce enjoyed by the "ationals of other Countries at the Metropolitan exonse; wd that if Hong Kong assisted originally in establishing theso facilities her nation in

the matter was not tranaonab lo.

In view of all these considerations the conclusion which 'e. Herbert Samuel would offer for their Lor-lships" noceptance is that the Imperial Government should undartaka to sort 75%, insband of only 60%,of the fatura annal leficit in the Postal Agencien, leaving the remaining 36% to be borne by Hong Kong, an 1 should also make some adequato adjustment in respect of the 20% Military contribution on the gross revenue of tho Armetos vwhich will ensure that the Colony'a los consequent

on maintaining them is not greatly in excess of hor

roal interest in thon.

The Postmaster General conjectures, that thoro may be a practical difficulty, involving action by the Colonial Dagislature which nicht be incorvenient, in exeluting the arency Dovenuo from the aouroos on which the Military Contribution is assonnod. o therefore mumenta for their Lordships' considoration that, while Hong Kong should continue to pay 20% on the gross Agen Beyma in the

form