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able Member was in connection with the salaries of subordinate officials in the Civil Service of the Colony, and he considered that a distinct promise or under- taking had been given that the subordinate officials' salaries should be dealt with forthwith. I have very carefully gone over the pages of the Hansard in which the question was considered, and I have failed to find anything of the nature of a distinct promise. I lay upon the table the memorandum I have been able to find in the Hansard dealing with this subject. At the same time I may mention that all the papers dealing with this subject of the salaries of subordinate officials show very clearly the desire of the Committee appointed to enquire into the salaries of subordinates that any increase that might be recommended should take place with- out any unnecessary delay, and this opinion was shared by Your Excellency, be- cause, in your despatch to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, you recommend- ed that the increase should take place from the 1st of January this year, but the Secretary of State did not see his way to approve of that. Now I think, Sir, that the Supply Bill reveals a very satisfactory state of affairs, so far as the financial position of this Colony is concerned, and I desire to express the hope, which I am sure is shared by every member of Council, that Your Excellency will see your way to make further representations on this subject to the Secretary of State, especially as a number of the representative heads and assistant heads were granted increases while the salaries of subordinates were being enquired into by the Com- mittee. The Chinese employees also had received an increase. In view of these circumstances I trust Your Excellency will see your way to make further repre- sentations in the matter to the Secretary of States for the Colonies. (Applause.)
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--Since last meeting of Council I have gone carefully over the Hansard, and looked up all that took place when the question was before the Council. Since then, too, I have consulted the Senior Unofficial Member and one or two others, and I have every reason to believe the Unofficial Members are unanimous in favour of Your Excellency again urging upon the Secretary of State for the Colonies the expediency, upon public grounds--for the benefit of the public and of the public service--that the increase in the salaries of subordinate officers should come into force as from the 1st of January this year. The great increase in the cost of living and the immense rise in the price of the necessaries of life must have been felt more severely by subordinate officials than by those drawing higher salaries. I heartily concur with the Honourable the Colonial Secretary who has just spoken of the desirability of urging with all Your Excellency's force upon the Secretary of State the necessity of granting the increase from the 1st of January this year.
His Excellency the GOVERNOR.--As far as I am concerned, as the Council would see when I sent forward the recommendation of the Committee, I heartily endorsed that recommendation myself. But I can quite well understand the an- swer from the Secretary of State; the Imperial Government possibly wished to see what the finances of the Colony were like. However, if it is desired that I should again bring the matter before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, I shall do so with the greatest pleasure. I will ask the Senior Unofficial Member if all the Unofficial Members are agreed that the increase should be from the 1st of January this year.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.--Sir, I may state that the Unofficial Members are unanimously of opinion that the increase should take place from the 1st of January this year, instead of January, 1902.
His Excellency the GOVERNOR.-Very well, I shall take steps accordingly. (Applause.)
Telegram from Secretary of State to Governor, dated 26th November, 1901. "In reply to your despatch No. 426 of 19th October proposal approved.
CHAMBERLAIN."