CO129-519-1 Estimates for 1930 5-9-1929 - 14-11-1929 — Page 6

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brought up in connection with the 1928 Estimates, but the Governor, in reply to the Secretary of State's

despatch, intimating this decision, admitted that,

while in the first flush of enthusiasm a Division of

the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve might be success-

fully established in Hong Kong, it was unlikely that it could be maintained in a state of efficiency for

any length of time. He confessed that he entertained small hope of future conditions affording better promise of success. The provision in the present Estimates appears to be the first that we

have heard of a revival of this scheme. It is

noticeable that the total estimate amounts to only

previous? $25,000, whereas when the scheme was/ submitted to the Admiralty, it was estimated that the proposal which they then considered desirable would cost something over £10,000 per annum (20666/26).

I do not think that the Secretary of State

anything in should be advised to object to the present Estimates

for 1930; but, when the time comes to communicate his approval, reference should be made to the observa- tions contained in last year's despatch, and it should

be emphasised that the Secretary of State considers

it essential that the finances of the Colony should be

conducted on conservative lines in the next few years,

general

as yet since conditions are by no means stable, and that

substantial

a widowing liquid balance should be ad stand viscrease, built up and regarded as only available for expenditure

? In the meantime we should telegraph to

in very exceffione al tires.

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the Governor asking for further details regarding

the subside to Civil Aviation and to the Air Club, and

as to the revised scheme for a Royal Naval Volunteer

Reserve. The Governor's address to the Legislative

ausgetable copertatten

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Council