§ MR. ESSLEMONTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has received a Petition to Her Majesty from certain residents of Hong Kong, reciting that a Despatch from the Colonial Office of 12th July, 1881, announced that the system of grants for ecclesiastical purposes in the colony would be gradually discontinued as vacancies occurred, and praying that such decision may be reconsidered, and that
The Church of England as here established may continue in the enjoyment of the moderate endowment which has hitherto been provided by the State;whether he is aware that this action has caused dissatisfaction among other European residents, as well as among the Chinese, who contribute the principal part of the Colonial revenue; and whether the Government will give an assurance that the policy of the Colonial Office in this matter will be adhered to?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethThe Petition referred to has been received and considered, and the Colonial Government has been informed that the decision announced in 1881 cannot be departed from.