CO129-386 - Public Offices & Others - 1911 — Page 158

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than briefly state the amounts.

It appears to me that such grants made in such exceptional circumstances cannot be treated as part of ordinary assessable revenue; and that it is impossible at this stage to invite the Colony to refund one-fifth of the sums paid or promised in compensation for the loss of opium revenue,

I do not deny that rigid adherence to the arrangement of 17 years ago affords some logical support for the der and for Military Contribution on the grants, and that there are precedents of small grants for postal purposes on which contribution has been paid. But in the present case the demand for one-fifth of what has been given seems to me a proposal which camot be placed before the Colony. I trust that my colleagues will agree that the Military Contribution on these special grants may be waived.