THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1936.
HONGKONG GOVERNMENT'S CLERICAL STAFF
Employment of Local Citizens in Civil Service: HENRY HEATH
Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga Defends System
SOME LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT OF
"OTHER" EMPLOYEES
break of a long leave for the main- tenance of a condition of health for the efficiency expected of them.
JUNIOR CLERICAL, SERVICE
dollars per aunum for their salaries alone, aud it the cost of home leave and other special privileges were included, the total expenditure would be very much higher. Members of the Junior Clerical average salary per annum the Euro- Again, from the figures for the Service are all paid in dallors, The standard establishment of the times per capita than the other pean employees are paid more than highest grade is ten. It can, there-employees. Here also, if the cost of fore, be considered that in this honie leave, etc., were ascertainable branch there are ten prize appoint- ments, with emoluments attached the disproportion in the
more excessive. annually,
average
"HOW CAN IT BE PROVED THAT of $4,800 to 56.600 by $200 aluries would show up as being far
THE PORTUGUESE ARE ROBBING
ANY
OTHER SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY?” Special to the "Telegraph"
By THE HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.
RADIO BROADCAST
Variety Concert From
The Studio.
From Z.B.W, on a wavelength of 355 metres (845 kilocycles):
4-7 p.m. Chinese Programme. 7-11 p.m. European Programme.
7 p.m. The J. II. Squire Celeste Octet.
Operatica (Famous Operatic Melo- clies) (arr. Squire); A Venetian Barcarolle-Serenade (arr. Willough-
HATS
for
MEN
in
New Styles
There is a prevalent belief that) In the light of these disclosures an 02O AND HIS BOY FRIENDS, the Portuguese enjoy most favour-outstanding feature that cannot be Ignored in the fact that thio ed" treatment as regards this grade,
"other" employees ure in Disillusionment must come with great many cases themselves British the indisputable assertion that they subjects owing allegiance to the encroach on this grade to the Crown, and serving in the Volunteer extraordinary number of one only. Detence, Force of the Colony.
LOCAL SECTION" SALARIES. This is an employee who was seen
1nc Colonial Secretary in his fit to be recommended for inclusion speech in the Legislative Council on in the Birthday Honours List
for the Budget for 1933 remarked that by). 1935 for membership in the imperial "Government has from time to time 7.17 p.m. Stuart Robertson (Bass- Service Order—a signal distinction had on its books locally recruited Baritone). reserved only for long, trustworthy
who have fulfilled. all the Yehudi Menuhin (Violin). and meritorious service. This cum officers
but something requirements desired, ployee was appointed in 1898-exact- better than the prospects of the (Mozart), Serenade and Tambourin
and 1. Concerto In G Major-Adagio Clerical Service, which is be-(Sarasate) Yehudi Menuhin; 2. allowances in any shape or form.
The standard establishment of welscht of little unwieldy by its Songs-When Dull Cure (Lane Wil- of numbers, and consentient son); When Lights Ko Rolling ten is composed of puc Portuguese, slow promotion, is required to at- (Ireland), 7.30pm. Closing Local one Indlan, and eight Chinese, fract
and hold the right type of Stock Quotations. 3. Violin Sofo Their length of service aggregates | recruit. It to
10: 4. therefore proposed, Guitarre (Moszkowski-Sarasate); 320 years, or an average of 32 subject to the approval the Songs-Myself, when young ("Ina
Garden") years each. The longest period of Secretary of State here whom the Persian
(Lehmanin),“ service is 40 years and the short- | scheme has been In
Williams); to create a Silent Noon (Vaughan est 23.
local section of the Senior Clerical & | 5. Violin Solos — (a) Minstrels Accounting Staff, and to B it with (Debussy), (b) Flight of the Dumble- specially selecte men of the type Bee (Rimsky-Korsakov).
747 Orchestre Raymonde. who now enter the Special Class of
p.m. the Junior Clerical Service, and un- Electric Girl (Holmes); Romantique fortunately leavé ft only too often-Waltz tar. Walter); Love is my
"UCH immorance exista in respæret of the staffing of the Gor-ly 40 years ago. He is granted no unifo M
erament clerical service in Hongkong. .
Due in large part to this lack of knowledge, there has arisen a certain measure of prejudice, which in turn has given way to hanty conclusions and unfounded accusations that might easily be avoided for a happier rélationship of all concerned. ·
How an improved and siner understanding might he created it is just the perpors of this article to seek to promote.
In the endeavour, therefore, to remore partisan feelings that might develop into bitter estrangemeal, a dering into official publications and statistics has been undertaken,
really
THE advocacy of the employment of local men is one prompted by economic considerations. It is no new move. As long ago as October 20, 1930, it was urged in the course of the Budget debate that "there has been too great a tendency for the 'sons of the soll' to be passed over in Hongkong.
Track
ን?
RACIAL, COMPOSITION The whole of the Cleit List for 1936 has been gone into very care- fully, and from an analysis of the personnel of the Junior Clericul clear their premise is becoming e-Wnliz (ntr., Walter); Dance of
Stair the following pures are or- rived ut:--
Chinese Indian Portuguese Dettish Eurasian
780 30
កំពង
the Merry Mascots (Albert Kelelbey). 8 p.m. ical: Time Signal, Weather Report and announcements.
8.03 p.m. From the Studio.
A Jazz Recital by Ozo and his Boy Friends.
Programme.
The conclusion cannot be resisted that were the Government prepared to revise their scale of saluries to ensure more attraction, especinity in the Junior Clerical Branch of the Civil Service, the experience which has been the Government's Jot us related in the foregoing quotation
1. Shine, 2. Plano Medley: I'm a Regarding These sectional totals it!
would not be repeated, and instead should be stated that errors might of being drawn to fields offering fool for lovin' you: Chinatown: These
-Gel
thee behind me Satan, 5. l'inno have crept in which, however, do more encouraging outlook for a foolish things, 3. Rose Room, 4. Vocal vancement, new recruits would
Solo-My Gal Sal, 6. Someday inaugurated whereby qualified local men be afforded faci-hot materially affect the argument and better inducement in the service Sweetheart, 7. Vocal-Melody from
"This tendency ought to be checked, and a new policy lities for advancement in the Colonial Service." (Hansard, 1930, p. 212.)
Replying. Sir William Peel, the then Governor, said: "regarding local recruiting, it is a question that I have had under consideration ever since I came here, and I have not only asked the Retrenchment Commission to consider it, but I have instructed several departments to see how far it is possible to achieve something on these lines." (İbid, 227)),
The average salary per employee per annum is one of-£509, to which must be added the cost to the Colony of home leave pay and travelling allowances to them and their families.
CONCLUSION..
In point of numbers. However de-·
absolutely impossible it is to obtain i sirable, it will be understood how of their election. perfect accuracy when names are ndopted to contuse proper classifen- tion.
Of the Chinese 71 are on probation 7 on the temporary list. One out of the 30 indians is on probation
and
In truth, there are only ten Portu- #uese on the axed establishment; there are five employees on probation and one is temporarily employed,
For convenience sake the remain-
number
The presentation of the foregoing facts and figures will not have been in vain if it should help to promote better understanding of the condi- tuns in the loent section" of the Government Civil Service.
Liner Delayed By Strike
Finally, it is hoped, I may achieve the purpose of drawing forth the kindly interest, mutual respect, and generous sympathy of the various communities maiding up the cosmo- There is a forceful point in 12 at £1,050, 1 £1,030, 2 £825, 1¦
£725, 4 £700, 4610, 2000, ing ave, who are from Portuguese politan citizenship of this Colony these remarks in an earlier 100, 2 £500, 1 £460, 450, India have been grouped with the who should find room and oppor
"Portuguese," since the num of the tubities enough, it only there be recommendation of the Salaries £445, 430, 3 £415. 2 £400, 1 Commission in Shanghai report- £3702 £340, 2 £325. 2. £310, 2 former is negligible for all practical the goodwill to "live and let live!"
purposes and need not, therefore, be classified
Of the separately. ing on the question of the £293, 3 £280, and 2 £265
the five, two se been have are sons of men who salaries to the Shanghai Muni-
resident in Hongkong and with whom cipal. Council's Staff, both
most Kowloon residents are familiar foreign and Chinese. The Com-
courtesy their
attention on and mission recorded that: "In vies
for dolly duty in one of the important utility services of the Colony, Al of the high cost of obtaining and maintaining foreign employees in
the five enjoy worthy sponsorship in the Council's service, including
the Government Service for
and emelency. They passages, long leave and other
qualifications Bonefits, the Commission is of the
belong to a very small, peaceful and Industrious
community, and, if it Joenl opinion that
residents.
should be permissible to introduce sentiment into the present discussion; foreigners domiciled in China, and Chinese, should be appointed where-
they belong to a race whose country of origin provides a picturesque re- ever possible, provided that they
minder of Portugal's oldest Alliance possess the necessary quallications and experience for the position to be
with England. occupied, thus reducing the heavy costs of appointments from abroad." This recommendatión has been given effect to this year.
CIVIL SERVICE COSTS
From time to time the question of the Increased administrative expendi-
!
Two lady stenographers are classi- in the same grade, but carrying the title of Confidential Assistant and Stenographer, one at £450 and the
other at £390 per annum.
SILENCING FACTOR
their
8.25
of 11.
the Sky, 0, I ain't got nobody,
The Regimental Band p.m. M. Grenadier Guards, Pomp and Circumstance March No. Black (Elgar), The Mill in the Forest (Ellenberg), March of the Mountain Gnomes (Ellenberg), Selec ton-The Beggar's Opera (Gay
Silver Trumpets-Grand Austin), Processional March (Viyani), Old Follts at home and in Foreign Lands (Roberts).
9 p.m. News and announcements from London,
9.20 p.m. "Sea Songs and Shanties" by The Portsmouth Royal Naval
Singers.
9.30 p.m. From the Studio. A Variety Programme by Audrey Steel
G. F. d'Aquino (Vocal); (Vocal), O. Harvey Ash-(Humorous), Programme.-1. Song-Don't count your kisses before you're kissed, (Audrey
Steel);
to teli a ile.
2. Song--It's a sin (G. F. d'Aquino): Frightfully
3. Humorous-F)
(G. Harvey Ash); *
a fool for loving CREW QUITS WHEN MAN DISCHARGED.
it should be a silencing factor to
San Francisco, Sept. 9. the clamouring voice for a hundret
500 world touring passengers aboard The liner President Hoover, with per cent, undiluted British Service when it is learnt that 12 lady steno- ;
and an necumulation of mail, is being All the nina British employees in held up here by a strike. graphers, all British, draw salaries the junior grade are on the fixed The fallure to settle the strike ranging from £260 to £360 per establishment. There are an equal resulted in the sixth postponement | annum cach, in the following pro- number of Eurasians on the fixed as of the ship's sailing for the Far East portions: 2 at $3,600, 6 at $2,800, on the probationary departments of
lo-day. 3 at $2,000, and 1 at $2,400.
the grade, namely, two each.
It admits of no dispute whether the merit of domiciliary qualification can be successfully established in the
lo justify their sterling salaries, for
COMPARATIVE COST
This article would not be complete
The trouble with the crew arose over the discharge by officials of the ship's Labour Union delegate, und the crew walked out In protest,-
lure of Hongkong has been presseet case of every one of the 61 employees without a summary of the compara- Reuter. upon the attention of Government, if a close scrutiny is made into the live cost of the clerical establishment and at no time was this pressure felt merits of each case it is doubted if of the Hongkong Civil Service. The to be more insistent than recently satisfactory claim" can be sub-statistics disclose the following sali-
stantiated with the accentuation of the prolong-
respect of each and ent facts:-
ed trade depression which has affect-every one of them.
ed the Colony so seriously and which i
For the most part a large portion
is responsible for the Colony's un-of their expenditure is incurred in the balanced Budget for 1936.
With ย view to removing con- jectures and surmises and discovering what the true facts are regarding the composition of the personnel of the Clerical Branch of the Civil Service, let there be a probe into available
currency of the Colony, quite a few of the employees beint sons an! daughters of residents in Hongkong.
"LOCAL SECTION"
To what extent can the objections at the employment of Portuguese in the Government service be sus sources of reliable information. tained? It need only be stated there There are two very excellent manual are only two Portuguese in the Senior publications regularly issued by the Clerical and Accounting branch. To Government, which furnish a com- sharpen the distinction this Grade plete guide to the administrative ser- is designated the "Local Section." vices of this Colony. They are,
How can it be proved that the firstly, the Civil Service List, in book Portuguese are robbing any other form, for 1936; and, secondly, the section of the community of em- Blue Book for 1035.
ployment which, it is claimed, should "belong to one section exclusively, is a pertinent question that challenges dispute. Both the Portuguese out of
For the purpose of this article in vestigations have been limited to the Staff and that other branch of the Service denominated by the Govern- 'ment as the Junior Clerical Staff.
STERLING PERSONNEL
The personnel of the Sentor Oterical Staff on a sterling basis is composed entirely of British em ployeca
total of 03 graded in the Senior Clerical Staff belong to Class II, Lc., "Local Section." One of them is paid $1,650, and the other $1,200 per
annum.
to
defined as prize appointments, with The appointments to this class are a commencing salary of $1,200 per annum, rising to $4,600 per annum na a maximum, by $150 annually. That much is an established fact; ments it will be seen that before the On the basis of the annual' incre- there can be no disputing it.
elder of these two Portuguese mem- In the Civil Service List there bere can niinin to hla maximum appear the names of 47 such officers, anlary of $4,800 a year he hos drawing a total salary of £23,055; serve 18 years more, and the younger there total emoluments do not include of the two men has to serve 20 years more. Before hoth these men can home leave, passages and other altain to their maxima they will have privilege en alaries in in reached the ages of 44 and 45 years,
respectively, dividual cases vary from £283 per Be it noted that, singular as it Pannum, drawn by the lowest to
may appear, they are called upon to £1,030 per annum-drawn by the carry on steadily from won 10 highest. The detalls are as follows: to year's end without so much as a
officers. The
17 Employees of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff draw a combined salary, per annum. of.......... 2 Confidential Assistants
and Stenographers
The Treasurer has fixed the rate of the "CDN. ventional dollar" for the current quarter at 18. 448.......... 12 Girl Stenographers
61 British employees are
paid or an average of $6,481 1. cach. The arre- rate annual salaries of the Junior Clerical Ser- vice, consisting of 862 employees is
Total Clerical Esta
bilaliment
23.055
840
f 24,705
BRITISH BANK DEPOSITS
NEW RECORD FOR AUGUST
London, Sept. B. The deposits of 11 Landon clearing banks advanced in August to a new record ligure of £2,246,889,000. The Agure represents
Increase an
you
Steel); 5. Song-Song of the Cello. (G. F., d'Aquino); 6. Hunerous Silly Aas.
(G. Harvey Ash); (Audrey 7. Song-Goody Goody..... Steel); 8. Song Why Stars come out at Night...... (G.-F. d'Aquino). 10 p.m. Big Ben from London.
Dance Music.
11 p.m. Close down.
FLYING FEAT PRAISED
OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO MRS. MARKHAM
London, Sept. 8.
The Alr Secretary, Lord Swinton, has sent to Mrs. Beryl Markham, the Kenya airwoman and first woman pilot to fly solo across the North Atlantic from East to West, a tele- gram of hearty congratulations on your splendid achievement."
Leaving Abingdon on Friday even- ing in a Percival Gall aeroplane Mrs. Markham was forced down in Nova Scolia on Saturday afternoon by Tacit of of petrol after an arduous flight against strong winds and through fog.
British Wireless.
$ 360,545 157,000,000 sinee August, 1935, and
31,800 of £425,000,000 since 1931.
DETROIT WINS
A feature of Bank statements over the last 12 months, which points to
trade $395,345 increasing
activities And healthier thancial conditions, tự the growth over £81,000,000 in ad-
New York, Sept. 8. Vances-though about half of this is accounted for by a croit arranged Detroit and Chiengo were the only for the French Treasury-und of teams in either of the Big Leugues in 1,225,480 about £3,000,000 in investments after action to-day, the Tigers, though these had doubled between 1931 and hitting lustily, failing to keep pace 1035. The advances, however, are with the White Sox scoring, and $1,820,825 still over £63,000,000 less than do losing by five to seven on sixteen and
1931-British Wireless,
eleven hilts.~~Reuter,
of the Junior clerk is $1,422.
The individual average salary p.a.
per annum All-British employee,
DAY BY DAY. NEWS IN BRIEF .36,461.00 Average ......................... Non-British employee,
HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO HAS BOTIŲ Į Hongkong rainfall for the 24 hours Average LAST
1,422.00
a.m. to-day totalled. ending at 10 MONEY AND BENSE; FOR HE KNOWS HOW 0.02-inch. The total since January Illzher All-British Cós!--m
averago
5,039.00 | TO USE HIS WEALTH ARICHT.--Demo- is 60.28 inches, against on average of
critus.
70.25 inches.
From accessible sources of infor mution there appears to be no means of oscertaining the total cost of home leave and all other special privileges riot included in the polar category
Yung Fung, 51, was admitted to the employees in the special category. Kowloon Hospital yesterday with in
will be seen from the above, juries received while unloading iron however, that 81 Brlilih employees
01
Wong Kau, 23, unemployed, was Bentenced to three months hard labour when he appeared before Mr. Magistracy this morning, on a charge. W. Schofield, at the Central
of stealing a quantity of iron bara
Une hapayee of the Colony from a junk at the Standard Oll from the St. Louls Industrial School," more than one third of a million Company, Lalchikok.
Third Street, yesterday.
Colours
$14.50, $16.50, $23.50.
Lenn 10% cash discount
MACKINTOSH'S LTD.
AGENTS for HENRY HEATH
Easy Driving
The De Luxe Ford is a comfortable car. You can sit at the whasi for long journeys without feeling undus fatigue. Why not take a complate road test at our expense? This will give you an opportunity of studying 13 comfort. performance and economy of the car without any obligation.
'Phone un now.
"Ford cars and Fordson trucks-- proved by the past-improved for the future."
The radiator and bonnet showing modern design.
WALLACE HARPER & CO., LTD.
(Authorised Ford Dealers)
Nathan Road, Kowloon.
QUEEN'S
HONG KONG
-Hennessy Road, Wanchal.
[ALHAMBRA
KOWLOON
DUE ON SATURDAY
CARL LAENULE presents
EDNA FERBER'S
0
SHOW BO.
0
ON ITS WAY!
The floating palace of 1936). To thrill you with its new songs, heart-throbs and joy!
starring
Irene DUNNE ALLAN JONES Charles WINNINGER
PAUL ROBESON HELEN MORGAN HELEN WESTLEY
Screen play and fyilet by
Oscar Hammerslain. II.
Now songs' and all your
·Þið favóellow by Jerome Kam. Directed by: JAMES WHALE, A CARL' LAEMMLE Ir. Production
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE