CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12] — Page 9

No 371

39570

G17 NOV 13

8

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 25th. October, 1913.

Sir,

I have the honour to transmit for your informa- -tion the enclosed report of proceedings of the Legislative Council at a meeting held on 23rd. October when hir. Hewett proposed a resolution to the effect "that in the opinion of this Council it is expedient that the Defence Contribution Ordinance, 1901, be so amended as to provide that the contribution in respect of any one year shall not exceed the sum of one million dollars local currency $1,000,000)". The motion was lost by 7 votes to 5.

2.

In view of the opinion widely held and express-

-ed in Hongkong that the present contribution is disproportionate to the Colony's means, I should be glad to know whether there is any information available which I can communicate to lembers of the Legislative Council regarding the matter.

I have the honour to be, sir.

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Cland Severn

Officer Administering the Government.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEVIS HARCOURT, E.P.,

&c.,

&c..

&c...