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we have not had time to go into the matter as The Hon. C. P. CHATER-That may be the
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thor aghly as we should like. Persound. A use, but we have to give our vote one way APR 00
have objection to the vote, but I should like another.
to have good deal more information before the The CHAIRMAN-I merely mentioned rote is passed. I should like to know whether auy The COLONIAL TREASURER--Some of them other officers of the Government have asked for have not go an increase and they want to increases, and if so who they are and what has, delay others. Those officers who have not got become of their application such, and what reasons an increase would have a better excuse for ap. they have given for asking for increases before plying after this vote is passed. This vele is finally passed by the Council. The The Hon. C. P. CHATER-I said that the reasous given in the papers for the increase, I financial minute was received by the unofficial think, are very good, but they are equally ap. members late yesterday afternoon and we have plicable to the other oil servants as they are not bad sufficient time to go over it carefully. to the officers who are going to be affected by this We should like to consider also whether any rote. Therefore I think an unofficial mein bers; other officers in the Government service have would like to have the fath facts before them made similar applications for increases of before they are prepared to vote on the matter, salaries and if so w they are and what The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEA-I quite sup-reasons do they give for the application. port, sir, what has been said. If the reasons I for one have absolutely no objection to the given in support of this increas to certain v te before as, but it is best to make one job of heads and assistant heads of departments are the whole matter
applicable to them, I maintain that they are The CHAIRMAN--As I said, there is no still more applicable to the clerical staff in the objection to postponement. I would only civil service, and that it is not equitable that ask your attention to the printed correspon- the heads and assistant heads should receive dence in the meantime. The Conneil meets increases whilst the juniors and clerical staff this day week; do you wish for a longer post. do not participate in an increase which perhaps ponenght than a week. they are more entitled to than the heads aud assistant heads,
The Hon. C. P. CHATER-I should say a fortnight.
he CHAIRMAN observed that there wore
wou like the matter settled.
The COLONIAL TREASURER-It seems to me that it might be called a dog-in the-mangor yers going on leave to England and they policy to deprive the heads and assistaut heads of departments of increases which are admitted The Hou, C. P. CHATER--The postponement te he justifiable, because others hav not gót them.
would it affect them, because the Secretary of State for the Colonies has sanctioned the increases apm the begining of this year. Therefore a fortnight sooner or later does not matter.
The CHAIRMAN-I do not know whether honourable members have carefully read the cor- respondence which was laid on the table. I forget the exact date-a fortnight ago or a month azo The CHAIRMAN--I no not so much harm in -wish reference to this matter. You will ob- the matter being postponed for a fortnight. serve from that that, under date 23rd July, 1899, The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I wish just His Excellency the Governor forwarded a to express my regret that we should have been memorial from certain members of the Hong-accused of adopting dog-in-tho-manger kong Civil Service on the gubject of the in. polisy on this question. I consider that that dequacy of the salaries of public servants. remark was entirely undled for, especially That was a general representation made to the coming from the Honourable the Colonial Secretary of State for the Colonies. Practically Treasurer. My object in supporting the senior the reply to that is/contained in despatch unofficial member is to endeavour to see that No. 280. I do not thuk there is any objection, justice and fair dealing is done to the other if you wish it, to/postpone the consideration civil servants. of this financial hinute, especially as it only The CHAIRMAN-I do not think the honour- reached yon at a late hour; but I draw your able the Colonial Treasurer mesut anything Attention to the correspondence. It is not a personal. He made use of the expression as a question of certain members asking for increases i mere colloquialism. There is no more business of salaries and of distinctions having been before the Committee.
mate between the applicants. If you carefully The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I am soley, read this correspondence I do not think very sir. to see that the Honourable the Calantų much more can be laid before you. You see, Treasurer has not seen it to withdraw the nu the Heuretary of State for the Colonies has warranted accusation. practically decided the question for himself. This was all the business.
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