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should be converted for local payments at a rate of exchange not exceeding 2/- to the dollar, the uncertainty of an unduly fluctuating dollar is avoided, and, by recommend- ing that a High Cost of Living Allowance be granted, we have not only obviated any reduction of the amounts drawn locally but have also arranged a scheme, which, we trust, will be easily understood by the prospective candidate at home.
In paragraph 12 we have stated that the exchange system suggested by us should be applicable to officers "when on duty in Hong Kong". We consider, however, that General Order No. 101 (2) which reads as follows:
"Subject to the approval of the Governor in each case, the salary of an officer on duty or on vacation leave, not combined with commuted or half pay leave, in a neighbouring country, will be paid to the credit of the officer at his bank in Hong Kong at the same rate of exchange as if he were resident in the Colony”
should remain in force.
Similarly, we consider that General Order No. 101 (3), which allows the privileged rate of exchange to an officer returning to the Colony from leave for the period of his voyage (not exceeding six weeks), should continue in force, but that the High Cost of Liv- ing Allowance should not be paid for that period.
General Order No. 101 (4), which makes a similar provision relating to officers pro- ceeding to the Colony on first appointment, should also, we consider, remain in force. In this case, also, the High Cost of Living Allowance would not be payable.
III.-Acting Pay, Charge Allowances, and Overtime Allowances.
(a) Acting Pay.
162. General Orders Nos. 92 (1) and 93, taken in conjunction with Colonial Re- gulation No. 54 (1928 Edition), provide as follows:
If an office be vacated in the Colony by the death, removal or absence on long leave of the holder, the person appointed by the Governor to act in that office shall be remunerated as follows:-
(1) If the person appointed is not in the public service, he shall be remunerat- ed at such rate, not exceeding the initial emoluments of the office, as the Governor may decide.
(2) If he is the holder of another office, but is not performing the duties of
it:
(a) If his emoluments in his substantive office are not less than the mini- mum emoluments of the office in which he is acting, he shall continue to receive the former.
(b) If his emoluments in his substantive office are less than the minimum emoluments of the office in which he is acting, he may, while so act- ing, receive half the initial salary of the office in which he is acting, half the initial salary of his substantive office, all the increments he has earned in his substantive office, and any personal allowance to which he may be entitled, provided that he shall not receive in all more than the minimum emoluments of the office in which he is act- ing.
(3) If he is the holder of another office and is required to discharge the duties
of that office while acting, he may receive:—
(a) If the offices are distinct and separate offices in different departments, or do not stand to one another in any immediate relation of superio- rity or subordination, half the initial emoluments of the office in which he is acting, together with the whole of his emoluments in his substantive office: