CO129-503-3 Military contribution paid by Hong Kong 19-1-1927 - 17-1-1928 — Page 11

w.o.

48649/21

repayment in the first instance.

The War Office have been

so much persuaded of the Colony's liberal attitude that, after keeping the sum in a suspense account for some time, they surrendered it to the Exchequer, and it was finally which brought to account in aid of the revenue of a past year. If repayment is now to be made, it will form an actual addition to the liabilities to be met by the British taxpayer.

Further, I am again to invite attention to the fact adverted to in the War Office letter of 28th September, 1921, that for the year immediately following those in which the overpayments were made, the cost of the garrison exceeded by over a quarter of a million (more than twice the sum in question) the contribution received from the Colony. This position has been repeated during the succeeding years, in which the portion of the cost falling as a final charge upon Army Votes has only in one year fallen below £200,000. In referring to this fact the Council fully recognise that the Colony have loyally carried out their engagements and have contributed substantial sums to the relief of the British taxpayers, but they would suggest that a full recognition of the share borne also by Army Funds is not irrelevant to the question of the refund of a contribution overpaid in very different circumstances nearly ten years ago.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

At Millors