CO129-518-8 Colonial Development Fund- requests and recommendations for monetary assistance for various projects 30-8-1929 - 28-2-1930 — Page 4

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proposed to go shares with the Air Ministry

The Air

in the erection of the hangar.

Ministry consented, and we are waiting for

Treasury agreement. So far as Hong Kong are

concerned, therefore, they are already committed

to their share, and the objection already made

to Items (1) and (2) applies here also. The

Treasury might, of course welcome the idea of

paying the ir half share out of the Colonial

Development Fund, but I think we ought to oppose

any such suggestion as the Air Ministry have

already consented.

The enlargement of the Aerodrome is

more the sort of work which might be met from

the Fund. It has been recommended by an Air

Ministry expert but has not been proceeded with

because neither Hong Kong nor the Air Ministry

is prepared to pay for it. The Air Ministry

have not committed themselves as to the

necessity or otherwise

of Mr. Dawson's proposals,

but y merely said that they did not consider

them necessary at present. I do not, however,

see how this work can be brought within the

scope of the Fund as laid down in Section (1) of

the Colonial Development Act. It can hardly be

brought within the words "aiding and developing

agricultura industry in the Colony" although

the reclamation part might be brought within Section

(g). Moreover, I do not see how any of the

work would give employment to this country.

The only part of the Governor's

proposals which can even be considered for

communication to the Committee is the

enlargement