Reference
CHINESE PRESS COMMENT
THE GOVERNOR has al- ways been against over-burden- ing Hongkong with defence costs but reports claim that the U.K. Government is now ask- ing the Colony to contribute £60 million over the next live years.
This comes as a big surprise to the community in general and if Govern ment accepts this new figure it should be noted that it will be opposed to the very end.
The British garrison here has a security role to play in Hongkong but it is an integral part of Britnin's overall defence structure in Southeast Asin.
Thus, we can hardly be expected to bear the defence costs alone.
1. view of local circumstances, a heavy burden of defence costs would have an adverse effect Hongkong's efforts to maintain the Ntatus quo.
011
Although Hongkong has promper ed over the years, her economig base is still not firmly conolitinted.
Wah Khu Ynt Po
HONGKONG'S anmal contribu tion towards the cost of the British parrison here for defence has until recently amounted to £5 million.
If the new reported figure of $840 million for the next five years is ne curate, the cost to the Colony would Amount to a considerable increase against which we must strongly ob jeet.
1
It is no secret that the Britial Parrison can only put up token de fence in the event ol an extremal attack,
We appreciate the presence of the British garrison but we cannot refrain from expressing strong objection to
S.C.M.P. Ka
fact
Increased cost
of defece
is unwaranted
a substantial increase in Hongkong's contribution.
- The Express
JOVERNMENT must fight re lessly against the new contribution It Hongkong is being asked to make yards the maintenance of the British Irixon here.
HONGKONG has always shared in the cost of maintaining the Bratech
The United Kingdom government is parrison but the crux of the matter is
ponsible for defending, Hongkong whether there is any advantage in, moreover, the Colony is hirendy contributing to the cost at the ex pense of local taxpayers.
We feel that the basic objective of the British forces is the protection of overseas British residents and theit property.
The presence of the garrison is also syntholle of the intention of Britain and other Western countries to AN sume responsibility for Hongkong's defence giving the Colony a sense of Mectivity.
Apother question Come crm. the community's willingness and abidy to bear additional defence coRES.
As har * internal sermity Roes. which is more important the British parrisom in the police force? Seriously speaking, the latter is ungitesti-maldy more important.
I SR40 million were spent strengthening the police force, it would definitely do more to promote internal stabdity and prosperity,
Tin Tin You Po
dened with a contribution that not be said to be negligible.
New Life Evening Post
|BRITAIN should bear the major rtion of defence costs leaving Hong- ng's contribution to be decided her financial ability.
Britain must realise that Hongkong his money hudly to resolve many
her own problems.
It Hongkong's shure is too henvy, will be unable to carry out ny public projects and social wel- le work,
it is grossly untne to ask Hong ng to pay $840) milhos.
Ning. Too Wan Puo
事
OD 737719 557664 500M 2/71 GM 3643/2
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