21751
REC
VEGE 15 DEC 94,
15
& enclosure
No. 509.
Sir,
Enclosure 2
COPY.
C.O.
21731 RECT 322
REGIC DEC 04
Police Office,
HONGKONG,
6th November, 1894.
I have the honour to forward the accompanying Memorial addressed to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies by all the European Members of the Police Force of two years standing and upwards with the exception of the Chief Inspector and two other Inspectors who still retain the privilege of family remittance, and Inspector Mackie, praying in effect that their salaries may be paid in the Colony at the rate of 3/4 to the dollar; in order that the sterling value of their salaries may be made the same as it was when the salaries were readjusted in 1891.
2. Comparative price lists are attached to the memorial shewing the increase in the cost of clothing, stores, liquors, and native produce caused by the heavy fall in the value of silver since 1891.
3. I would draw special attention to the increase in the cost of native produce, as it appears to be a common fallacy that the purchasing power of silver as measured in products of a silver using country has not been diminished by the appreciation of gold.
The Honourable
The Acting Colonial Secretary,