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JR INJ89% 31
The Honourable Colonial Secretary
Submitted for favourable consideration. Petitioners state facts, should you desire it the attendance Book for the last six months can be forwarded.
On another paper I have just forwarded a very modest scheme simply because the machinery appeared to be on the verge of collapse and my suggestion was merely a palliative.
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verge of collapse and my suggestion was merely a palliative. I wanted to keep the clerks physically fit for the work on half days.
With reference to the Branch Office clerks, I found heavy arrears of correspondence, no register of letters "poste restante", etc., receipts, months behind, with Registration Department, the work had to be done with the means at my disposal. The arrears have nearly been overtaken but the ordinary work has now so grown; I mean registers and books that seem necessary, that I see no prospect of releasing them.
I cannot help it if they have to work to midnight, the latter hour not so frequently, but still occasionally, the work must go on all the same next day.
That the clerks of the Post Office are the hardest worked and poorest paid in the Government Service and, as far as my knowledge goes, in the Colony, is, I think, indisputable.
With apologies for using the expression, the sweating system has prevailed here. The bulk of the clerks are recruited from the very poorest of the Portuguese, and so it has been quite safe to go on.