objections that they would introduce different rates of pay for men serving at the same station in the same Corps and also that they might bring prominently before the Lascars at Ceylon the fact that they are receiving less than the Lascars at Hong Kong, a fact of which they are probably now ignorant. But the first of these objections will naturally grow weaker as the present men leave the Corps, and to the second it will be a sufficient reply that while there is a difficulty obtaining Lascars for service at Hong Kong, there is no corresponding difficulty in Ceylon.
The whole question is one of exchange, and therefore as already stated, Mr Secretary Smith would be glad to be favoured with the views of Their Lordships before he takes action.
He also proposes, on receipt of Their Lordships' reply, to communicate with the General Officer Commanding at the Station and obtain a further report as to the best means of effecting the change with the least amount of friction. In making this communication to the General Officer Commanding, the whole matter would be fully explained, and it would be pointed out that in the event of a rise in...
Page 166