CO129-587-8 Crown leases 18-4-1940 - 17-3-1941 — Page 17

5876-150) Wt. 14813-85 5,000 6/40 T.S. 695

17

C. O.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Sir A. Burns.

Mr. G. L. M. Clauson.

Mr. C. J. Jeffries.

Mr. A. J. Dawe.

Sir J. Shuckburgh.

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. of S.

Secretary of State.

DRAFT.

FURTHER ACTION.

enclosed in Mr. Smith's

despatch under reference, that it is

a matter of indifference to the

Government of Hong Kong whether it

that consideration in

obtains

(py pighto

the form of annual rent, or a lump

sum premium, or a combination of

both. I note also that the number

of leases concerned totals 1,344;

anghough I was not aware of the

total number of Crown leases granted

Leems clear in the Colony, it

that

these 75 year leases are but a small

proportion of the total number held

in the Colony. In these circumstances

I am doubtful whether it would be

wise

for the Government of Hong

Kong to become involved in lengthy

or exasperating controversy with

an important section of the

unofficial community on an issue of luch

S. I

comparatively small importance.

am of a buson,

therefore, that no

premium should be haut fish

required

for the

of 75 year leases of Crown

land, but that such leases should be

hauted

on payment of a rent which

need not be the current rate of Crown

rent for the locality, or even the

fair and reasonable value of the holding,

but should

in addition to the latter freuve delitian

payment in respect off

include

equivalente the premium

other wase

required

which would have been bed on the

nout of a heck

lease