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I have also to remark that when a Police Officer does become as proficient in Chinese as some of our men such as Chief Detective Inspector Hanson and Detective Sergeants Collett and Gidley, his knowledge is worth more to Government than the language allowances because he can dispense with a paid Interpreter.
I venture to think that in my memorandum of the 3rd of July last I adduced very strong reasons, supported by facts and figures, for the increases I recommended, and I must say that in my opinion the scheme of increases proposed in the despatch would give rise to dissatisfaction, for under it the junior benefit much more than do the senior ranks.
I have no knowledge of the conditions of Police Service in the Straits Settlements beyond the fact that promotion among the European Police there is much more rapid than here. Men there, I am informed, become Sergeants in a couple of years and Inspectors in 7 or 8 years. Here under normal conditions it takes a man 8 or 10 to become a Sergeant and at least 15 to become an Inspector.
But if the rates are sufficient for the Straits Settlements they ought to be increased for Hong Kong, which is a more expensive place to live in and which labours under the disadvantage of having an evil reputation for health.
Last time I was at home eleven candidates from the R.I.C. were dissuaded by their parents from joining this Force on account of the Plague, and Mr. Badeley had the same experience when he was recruiting in 1897 and 1898.
I am convinced that the increases now offered by the Secretary of State (with the deductions for the Widows