Now recommend that the right to free return passage is forfeited.
The reason is that those Nurses should be put on the footing of the Police as they are given free passages again after five years when granted leave of absence.
This privilege has hitherto been confined to the Police. When it was proposed to extend it to Prison Warders (GR1178/1922/32(III)), we declined to allow it.
The Warders (some of whom are married) get $18480 rising to $7660. If the right is given to the Nurses, I am afraid other low-paid officials will want the same privilege.
Otherwise, I should like to grant the privilege (as proposed) to the Nurses. If, however, it is granted, I think it would be sufficient to give it only after six years' resident service, with an interval of six years between each period of leave (instead of every five years).
The Nurses get $18660 rising to $18780, with free quarters, attendance, fuel, and light, and a prospect of promotion to $720 (the Matron has $18720 rising to $8960) with not only free quarters (like the Wardens) but also free board (which Wardens do not get).
Their position is rather better than the Warders; and if free return passages are granted, as with the Police, the amount granted should not exceed the cost of a 2nd Class passage, leaving them to pay the excess themselves if they wish to travel first class.
I should refuse to give them free passages, but authorize the advance of the passage money to be repaid by easy instalments (CPF12).
I think the comparison of Hospital sisters with Police Constables or Prison Wardens is somewhat grotesque. Their sex sufficiently distinguishes them from the latter.
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