COPY.
ENCLOSURE 2.
C.O.
14152
RECR
IR E JUN
74
MINUTE BY THE CAPTAIN SUPT. OF POLICE.
Hon. Colonial Secretary.
J
200 rupees to the 100 dollars does not at first sight seem an unreasonable rate to fix now if due notice is given to all new recruits, but I beg to point out that the Indian Force has twice recently almost struck for more pay once in 1896 when they claimed the privilege of remittance at 44 cents to the rupee, and again last summer when they asked for an increase of pay on general grounds.
The pay and pensions of the Hong-Kong Indian Police, Shanghai Indian Police and the Hong-Kong Regiment as also of the Singapore Indian Police were compared in C.O. 1669(1) of 98, and the emoluments of the Hong-Kong Indian Police are less than those of the Shanghai Indian Force and the comparison with those of the Hong-Kong Regiment is not more in favour of the Police than it ought to be considering the more arduous and responsible duties of a Policeman.
I cannot therefore recommend that the pensions of the Police should now be reduced.
I submit that the pay, &c., of the Hong-Kong Indian Police should not be compared with the rates in Singapore and Ceylon, but with the rates obtaining in similar Forces in the Far East. The same remark applies to the Indian Gaol Staff which