§ 55. Mr. Caryasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement with regard to the gift of $500,000 by the Straits Settlements to His Majesty's Government towards the cost of Empire Defence?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The Governor has reported to me that on 14th February the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements adopted a motion for the payment of 500,000 dollars (approximately £58,000) to His Majesty's Government as a gift towards the cost of the Imperial Defence of the British Empire. The Governor has at my request expressed to the Council the grateful appreciation of His Majesty's Government for this further generous gift, which is additional to the Colony's annual contribution towards the cost of the defence of the Straits Settlements and to the sums voted for the Colony's volunteer naval, military and air forces. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing the Government's appreciation of this further gift from the Colony and of the spirit of co-operation of which it is still another practical example.