The practice of going away to get food not only wasted time, but that the distances traversed and the conditions under which the food was taken were such as to negative any good in the way of recuperation, I suggested that the Government on the occasion specified should supply or pay for a meal to be eaten on the premises, the limit of cost not to exceed 50 cents a head. I have practiced the same thing before when I had the Fire Brigade. I always gave the men refreshments; energy and willing service resulted.
The meal was really intended for those who could not afford to have their food brought to them, but if the Government accepted the principle of feeding some, clearly no exceptions from the senior clerk downward could be made. Larger salary earned by long service or worth and ability should not be considered as debarring a man from an indulgence granted to juniors to keep them physically fit, the same arduous task being performed by all alike.
His Excellency the Governor decided that the principle was unsound, but was good enough to intimate that he would consider any further representation I had to make.