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HONG KONG, 4th May, 1931.
SIR,
We have the honour to state that we were on the 11th of July, 1930, appointed by Your Excellency under the Public Seal of the Colony to consider :-
(1) The sufficiency of the existing staff of the Government Service and its effective
employment.
(2) The possibility of reducing such staff by re-distribution of work or by abandon-
ment of unnecessary work.
(3) The possibility of extending the method of temporary engagement of Government
officers for particular duties.
(4) The sources from which the personnel of Government offices should be supplied
and the terms of service.
(5) The possibilities of economy in the general administration of the Government or
in any branch of the Government Service.
2. We have held ninety-nine meetings and examined fifty-three witnesses, the majority of whom were members of the Government Service. A number of private persons did however give evidence before us at our request; and, by placing their expert know- ledge at our disposal, were of great assistance to us in our deliberations on the technical departments.
3. Shortly after we were appointed we inserted notices in the European newspapers of the Colony, asking members of the public to come forward with, or to send in to us in writing, recommendations and suggestions whereby economies might be effected in the ad- ministration of the Government. The response was disappointingly meagre.
4. We now have the honour to submit to Your Excellency our Report.
5. In conclusion ve desire to place on record our appreciation of the valuable assist- ance we have received from Mr. A. W. G. H. Grantham, our Secretary, and Miss G. Ezra, our Stenographer, as well as from Mr. T. Dallin of the Government Audit Department, who has been in attendance at practically all the meetings held by us.
H. E. SIR WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.
Governor, etc.
Hong Kong.
We have the honour to be,
Sir.
Your Excellency's most obedient servants,
M. J. BREEN, (Chairman).
J. J. PATERSON,
J. SCOTT HARSTON,
W. N. T. T'AM.