CO129-542-15 Land at Sham Shui Po- occupied by Military authorities 6-1-1933 - 31-10-1933 — Page 2

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6.1.33

Raquests that the question of the terms on which the occupation of ba Sham Shui Po area is to be continued

may be taken

authorities.

up

with the proper

I have not been able to trace any precedent

for the actual payment of rent by the War Office to a

Colonial Government for land occupied by the military

autnorities (Certain lands are held by the War Office on

long lease from the Government of Sierra Leone

-

see

paragraph 1 of (6) on 9607/31 - ; I have not

succeeded in finding out definitely whether rent is

paid by the War Office to the Sierra Leone Government,

but I believe not. This could be further looked into

later if necessary)

Every Colony is under an obligation, which is

explained in paragrapn 11 of the circular despatch of

the 30th December 1894 - copy herewith - to provide

lands required within its orders for military purposes,

whether under some special agreement, or under the

general obligation that rests on every Colony to

contribute, according to its means, towards its own

defence. In the present case the troops were despatched

for the defence of Shanghai and it cannot I think be

contended that they are retained in Hong Kong solely,

if at all, for the defence of the Colony. The present

case appears therefore to be one which should rightly be

the subject of a special agreement between the Government

of