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which they are used can be fully guaged. criticism especially applies to the last in the list of the petitioners' claims viz, that they should be given a consultative voice in questions of an Imperial character This sentence seems to point to some kind of Imperial Federation, and it is possibly written with reference to the military contribution question which has not been without difficulties in various colonies including Hongkong. The subject raised is so wide and so vague that it would be useless to attempt to discuss it The question of a general remodeling of the Colonial system of Great Britain for it would probably amount to no les9 as it would necessarily become partof any scheme for a federation of the Empire a most interesting question; but one of too wide and far reaching a scope to be dealt with in regard to a single case alone But I may state simply that under the existing system when questions arise which concern the various colonies, it has been the endeavour of my predecessors in office and it is my own earnest. endeavour that the claims the interests and even the prejudices of each colony shall be adequately set forth and fully and fairly considered.
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To sum up the petitioners ask nominally that Hongkong should be given self government, and an elective system In my opinion the place and its circumstances are wholely unsuited for what is pro- posed. An Imperial Station with great Imperial interests, on the borders of a foreign land, the nucleus of wide reaching British interests in the far East, must, it appears to me, be kept under Imperial
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