STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
I have found it
essential to entertain the Ministers and top officials frequently; often with the immediate purpose of getting business done. For example, Executive Council meets in By office (in the same grounds as Government House, in an isolated art of the island) every Monday from 10 am onwards with a break
and 2 pm for lunch.
by
beti
ime in the back one at a time, often after 3 pm or even the morning and at lunchtime have to trayal three siles
to
and ater. I therefore started inviting the whole Council to lunch (4 Ministers, Attorney General, Financial Secretary, Chief Secre- tary and Clerk) when there is a long agenda. This has been a Most successful move because it has been a major factor in achieving long sought harmonious and cooperative relationships
well as getting the Council back into session on time. Working lunches and dinners are also the only sure method of collecting the Ministers together to meet important visitors and tential investors. There is in addition the routine enter tainment of other members of the community for meals and/or drinks
arties. The resulting favourable climate has also enabled me to let it be known, without causing too much dissatisfaction, that a dropping the traditional Christmas Party, But at the present rate of axpenditure (see note attached) I must soon put up the shutters 11 am to have a QBP.
if
To abandon or even scale down
the QBP will cause much understandable resentment in the islands and unfortunately I have no choice in the matter. Thus, unless a QPP.
more realic sum is provided and the Q8P is funded separately
my doors will have to stay shut, This will doubtless be good practice for my retirement but it is not the way to gain influence: Moreover, it would reinforce the isolation of the Governor in his
Lastly, should like to lend ay support to the case for funding mid-tour leave journeys. While the Ministars be grudgingly admit the need to meet a Governor's bills, others do lot vnderstand why a Governor should compete with them for a
tively large share of available money.
I must add that despite the insignificance of these islands, *fool
feel that there is a challenging and very worthwhile job to be one: and enjoy doing
joy doing it. hodin i
Indeed, I am quite content, apart rom a touch of resentment at the way in which was sold financia emotion (with its revealing indication of my standing in the Service), and at the prospect of having to put my hand even deep er Into my own pocket before long to meet unavoidable entertainment exmanean ip 200ition to the purchase of items that are supposed to be provided from official funds.
STAFF IN ONFIDENCE
J G Strong