CO129-509-8 Military Contributions- claim for relief 24-2-1928 - 15-12-1928 — Page 63

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In this connexion they would suggest that the

Colony have not in fact at any time counted on the repayment

of the overpaid contribution, and that, had they not desired

to utilise it in order to press their claims to the military

lands, they would have been pleased to waive 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 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 20th 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 taxpayer, 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,

(Sgd.)

A.E. WIDD OWS.