206
3
Beach's despatch N. 34 of the 14th May 1878 and paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of his despatch N. 18 of the 2nd of March, 1880.
2.
The Pension question in this is of special importance, for it not only affects elsewhere, the personal interests of all the Officials but it has a direct bearing on the important question of Chinese interpretation. I have therefore given it a good deal of consideration;
and, finding that the despatches and papers on the subject were somewhat contradictory, I requested Dr. Eitel to draw up for the Government a précis and report of all the official documents.
In transmitting this valuable précis and report, I submit to Your Lordship my recommendations on the subject, which are as follows:-
(a) That the principle in force in the time of Sir Hercules Robinson, and all preceding Governors, be adhered to, by which all public servants holding offices named in the Civil List or described in the Estimates of the Fixed Establishment and drawing salaries of £30 and upwards be entitled to the benefits of the Pension Minute.
(b) That as a necessary consequence of the foregoing recommendation, the practice that grew up, after Sir Hercules Robinson left, of drawing a distinction as to pension between Chinese and other servants of the Colonial Government be discontinued.