COPY
Enclosure
C.O. 34994
face A
Tue 10 EC 70 336
Report of the Committee appointed by His Excellency the Governor on the subject of the Salaries of Chinese Employees.
We have considered the above question and agree with the principle of the report of a previous Committee on the same subject, dated the 15th July 1898, but are of opinion that the increases in the cost of living have been understated, especially in regard to house-rent.
We therefore recommend that Chinese Employees drawing salary up to $15 per mensem should receive an increase of 30% on their salary and those drawing up to $50 per mensem 20% increase.
We refrain from making any recommendation in the case of the highly paid Chinese Employees as the hardship is not so great, and such would involve consideration of salaries throughout the Service.
We have to add that the above recommendation should be carried out as soon as possible in order that Government may retain the services of good and honest servants and that temptation to peculation, bribery and other offences may be minimised.
We have &c.
A. M. Thomson.
(Signed.)
C. P. Chater.
Ho Kai.
25th September, 1899.