2.
Consular Officers is not less than that given to Colonial officers, the former enjoy the privilege of free quarters, while the payment of House rent and rates in Hong Kong is unquestionable, the most serious item in the yearly expenditure for the latter.
aware that this
additional
3. the are fully distinction is inevitable, and we only allude to it as furnishing reason why service under the Secretary of State for the Colonies much, we Submit, be not unreasonably held to give those who perform
it a claim to be placed in other respect upon the same footing with officers who are serving under the Secretary of State
323
for Foreign Affairs in the same part of the world.
4.
Besides being provided with free quarters Consular officers are entitled to leave of absence after five years instead of after six years service as is the case with Colonial Officers; when on leave they are allowed one half instead of one third of the cost of their passage to and fro for themselves and their families; and when absent the whole time spent upon pay is reckoned as time on leave.
Ordinarily half time spent on leave is reckoned as half time in Service spent on leave instead of being reckoned as halftime as is the case with Colonial officers.
5. We are however especially induced to address Your Lordship at the present