382
auggested by the Salaries Commission, but
I cannot agree that its effects are likely
to be more satisfactory.
Indeed I have
come to the conclusion that it is most in-
advisable to commit the Government of Hong
Kong to the payment of salaries expressed
in dollars, because in that event it is im-
possible entirely to avoid the argument
definitely
that a man who is entitled to a salary of
so many dollara is entitled to have them
paid to him in Hong Kong when he is on
leave of absence, and the claim to receive
pensions locally in dollars is still stronger.
In this connection I am te refer to various
difficulties which have recently arisep, and
are arising, in connection with the rate of
G
exchange for the payment of officers and
7
widows and orphans pensions in this country.
calculati
A
on "doties" salaries
On the whole therefore I am strongly of
opinion that all salaries now expressed
in sterling should continue to be expressed
in steriing, and that officers should be in-
on appointment
formed that the salaries are paid to officers
A
actually serving in Hong Kong at a rate of
rate is now 2/- to the dollar, but is
liable to alteration.
For officers
1
paying visits to China and possibly
Japan the Government rate of conversion
might be applied, but it should be
distinctly understood that this is done
aa an act of grace and only on the
approval in each case of the Colonial
!
Government.
3.
I will now deal with the
question of leave of absence.
I may
say at the outset that I entirely agree
with your view that the grant of full
pay leave as of right in every fifth
(or indeed at
day
other fixed time). year would be wholly impracticable.
In
the main I consider the present system
fairly satisfactory, and I would observe
that the Malayan Salaries Commission
reported that the Hong Kong system
seemed to many officers preferable to
the scheme which at present prevails
in the Peninsula, viz. two montingitu
pay for each completed year of service th ascomutated upt
Jd monk's fettter troo
If, however, the opposite view is taken
!
conversion fixed by the Government, which
rate
in
J