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an increase which would have resulted even if clause 359, may be regarded as in some degree appointed to investigate and report upon the general cost of living under specified heads of expenditure, in the years 1874, 1879, 1884 and 1889 respectively.
7. The suggested Committee, with the exception of its President, was composed wholly of unofficial members; and its report was unanimous in expressing the opinion that there had been a rise not only in house rent but also in the cost of Living generally since 1874, and in recommending that the salaries of the higher officers should be restored to their sterling value, taking the dollar at what was its sterling value in 1875. This recommendation, had it been adopted, would of necessity have involved an immediate increase of 35 per cent in the dollar value of salaries. It is material to note that, at the present time, the increase would be even more considerable, owing to the further fall in the sterling value of the dollar which has taken place since 1889. The claims of the civil service being thus vouched and recommended by the unofficial members of Council, we claim to have special