which is I believe shared by the whole community - that it is beyond question that the Salaries of the chief officers of Government from His Excellency the Governor downwards should be increased." But I do not agree with the Committee when they observe,
"that the Council would probably be in a much better position to arrive at a correct view of the question of a Civil List by postponing the further consideration of it for another year."
On the contrary, considering the temporary increase in the cost of house-rent and the price of the necessaries of life which will assuredly be caused by the hostilities, I am of opinion it will in all probability be more difficult to arrive at a correct view a year hence than it is now, when prices although high are so from natural causes which are likely to influence them for years to come.
I think it unjust, moreover, to continue the public Servants in an admittedly false and unfair position any longer than is absolutely necessary for the very strange reason that their position may shortly become still worse.
10. The truth is the report drawn up under an erroneous