Enclosure
48
their being made public) compelled me to decline their request.
5.
Mr. C. M. Ede in these circumstances at
the wish of his colleagues brought forward a motion that the
contribution should be fixed at $1,000,000 per annum and this
resolution was unanimously supported by the Unofficial Vote,
and only defeated by the Official majority. In accordance with
my pledge I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of the
local Hansard containing a report of the debate. The terms of
your telegram had left me entirely uncertain as to your ow
view on this subject. From my own point of view the result of
the debate was eminently unsatisfactory for the subject was not
debated from the standpoint of Imperial responsibility, nor yet
from the practi cal basis of the mode of assessment.
6.
I desire while writing on the subject of
the Military Contribution to lay before you one or two aspects
of this question which appear to me worthy of consideration.
(a).
As to the amount of the contribution I
have already expressed my views but I venture to submit that if
the proportion it bears to the Revenue were identical in all
Eastern Colonies (and lovied in an identical way) much of the
discontent would be removed. You stated, Sir, in your reply in 24th.y Parliament to questions asked by Colonel Yate on April 24th.
that
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.