Mr. Asquith, in reply, stated that the Government did not
propose to appoint such a Committee at the present time. " The Crown Colonies already make a considerable contribution towards the cost of the military garrisons maintained in them calculated in proportion to their revenue. The question of Imperial naval defence will be discussed at the Imperial Conference in regard to the interests of the self-governing Dominions, and the consideration of a contribution by India and the Crown Colonies to the Navy does not directly arise." We sincerely hope that the words " at the present time " in Mr. Asquith's answer mean that the Government, though not yet prepared to go the whole way, are not antipathetic to this very reasonable proposal for a Committee. We may observe, also, that the present contribution of the Crown Colonies towards the cost of their garrisons does not meet the point that they ought to co-operate on the naval defence of the Empire. Further, the contributions are now exceedingly unequal. For example, though Singapore and Hong Kong contribute 20 per cent. of their revenues for Imperial defence purposes, Ceylon, we believe, only contributes five per cent. Yet Ceylon is financially well able to bear a burden pro- portionate to that of the sister Crown Colonies.
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