Moreover in view of the smallness of the Hongkong service, as compared with the Straits, which results in alternations of stagnation & quick promotion, I should urge that we should give increases at Hongkong strongly in the form of increments. This would have the further advantage of reducing the immediate cost of the increases certainly & the Colony, though solvent, can not afford a very great increased Expenditure on personnel Emoluments at present.
I submit tables showing generally increases which might fairly be given not only to the Civil Service proper but also to the medical, Public Works Depts etc. The total immediate increase involved by my scheme is about $30,000 & as the Estimated Revenue next year (excluding Landsales) exceeds the estimated Expenditure (excluding Public Works extraordinary) by $180,000, I think these increases may be given without any increase of taxation.
Inform Govr that the S. of S. is prepared to approve such increases on these lines if the Legislative Council is willing to vote them.
[I would not send out the annexed tables in the exact form in which they stand but would group separately the medical Dept.]
Ask him first how far he agrees to them. And that the increases may date from the 1st Jany next, but that in individual cases the Officer should start on that date at the lowest Salary of the new Scale in each case if such lowest Salary involves an increase on his present Salary, but otherwise should start higher in the Scale according to the length of his service.
G.W.J. 21/11
The Hongkong service is clearly underpaid, & we want to assimilate the pay to that of the Straits, as we appoint Straits & Native States cadets to Hongkong. Johnson has gone through the salaries most fully & I have little modified his suggestions.
The salaries or emoluments will on the whole be a little under those of the Straits, but the main thing is giving them in increments, we might send out the proposed Scale to the Governor & let him suggest modifications. We should rearrange the list somewhat, keeping the purely professional offices apart from the others. That the proposal is generally approved we will draft for consideration.
B & 1, (x)--12435-2000-1-99 16195-2000-4-90
has been kept as is, assuming it's a reference or code that doesn't need correction. If it should be removed or handled differently, please let me know.