I did not know that it was to be brought forward to-day, and if it would make no difference I would like time to give it full consideration. If your Excellency would give the unofficial members an opportunity of perusing the despatches which have passed I have no doubt at all that a unanimous vote could be come to.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-I quite understand the position of the hon. member. I may tell you that I gave this at once to the senior unofficial member of the Council with a view to his communicating with the other members. Unfortunately you were not here, being away at the time. Of course if it is the wish of the unofficial members that it should be postponed, I am in their hands. As to the despatches, they were confidential; I have said as much as I can regarding them, and I do not think I can make them public, because they were confidential and mention some matters that perhaps it might be as well not to publish. I have no objection to show the hon. member the despatch if he wishes to see it. Perhaps that would be quite sufficient.
Hon. J. THURBURN-I quite concur with what Dr. Ho Kai has said on every ground but especially on the ground that it is most undesirable that our officials should be paid less than those of any other Colony. As you, sir, mentioned in your speech, we would get the worst men. There is no question about that, and I think that is one of the strongest reasons why we should grant this increase. For my part, I have much pleasure in supporting it.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-I do not know whether I mentioned it, but the proposal is that this increase should take place from the first of next month, and that is one of the reasons I wished to bring the matter before the Council to-day before the first of next month. As a rule I disapprove of retrospection in such cases, and I think it is better that we have the thing arranged before the date arrives. If it is the wish of the unofficial members that it be postponed, I am entirely in their hands.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-In deference to what has been said, I will not press my proposal. I have no desire to stand in the way. Only before giving my vote on a question involving a very considerable outlay of money, I should have liked to have had an opportunity of fully considering and discussing all the pros and cons. My sympathies are entirely with the resolution, but as an ordinary matter of business I should have liked to have had an opportunity of going into the matter, and discussing it in all its different phases and on its merits. Still I have no desire to oppose the wishes of the majority.
The motion on being put to the Council, was carried unanimously.
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