COPY.
Sir,
Hongkong, 6th. March, 1903.
52
We beg to acknowledge your letter of the 4th. instant, No. 1599/03/C.S.O.. enquiring, for the confidential information of His Excellency the Governor, whether any general increase of salaries has been granted within the past three years to the Portuguese and Chinese employed by us.
In reply we beg to inform you that:-
1. No increase have been allowed during the past three
years to the Portuguese employed by us as Overseers of Lighters.
We may add that no Portuguese are employed by us in a clerical
capacity.
2. No increase has been allowed to our Compradore's
Staff, or to the Chinese in charge of our Godowns.
3.
Increases, averaging (15%) fifteen per cent. of
extending over twenty years
their salaries, for long service
have been conceded to certain Chinese employed on our Steamers.
We have etc.,
(Sd.) Butterfield and Swire.
Hon. F. H. May, C.MIG.,
Colonial Secretary.