CO129-550-1 Estimates 1935 14-9-1934 - 15-9-1934 — Page 348

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negotiations for the revision of the Railway Working Agree-

ment, negotiations in which the new Manager of the Railway played a very important part. The new agreement which will shortly be signed should greatly improve the relations be-

tween the two sections of the Railway and make for the

increased efficiency of both sections.

Head 27 Defence.

The current year has seen the establishment of

the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force for which provision

of $30,000 is made under Volunteer Defence Corps in the

current Estimates. For next year provision is made for

this force as a separate department, namely, Head 27 (B)

and it has been found necessary to increase the vote to

$35,987. "Military Contribution" formerly Head 27 (B)

now appears as Head 27 (C).

Head 28

Miscellaneous Services.

Grants in aid of Farnham House and Imperial

Economic, Imperial Shipping, Imperial Agricultural Bureaux

(Sub-Heads 8 and 9) are included on the invitation of the

Secretary of State for the Colonies who is of the opinion

that the work of these institutions merits the support of

the whole Colonial Empire. This provision is in accord

with the recommendations made last year by the Imperial

Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation.

With the approval of the Finance Committee

the Government agreed to increase its contribution to

the Imperial Institute from £300 per annum to a maximum

of £600 per annum but it is not yet known whether the full