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the case that, when full competition again asserts itself, applicants will be glad to accept the liberal terms which they now find themselves in a position to refuse. I should prefer accordingly to adhere, for the present at any rate, to the salaries which have been fixed, and to fill immediate vacancies on such terms as it may be possible to arrange in the individual case.
You
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4.
There are certain points in the Overseers' memorial which call for comment. In paragraphs 12, 15, 16, 17, and 20 they refer to the initial salary as being £220. The figure £220 was due to a mistake in the original circular, and it was corrected to £260 some time before the memorial was sent in.
In paragraph 13 reference is made to a new class of appointments, which were formerly held by Over- seers. In 1919 there were three posts in that clase, none of which was held by an Overseer. There are now eight poats in the class of which six are held by Overseers and one will shortly be so held. There is no Overseer qualified to hold the post of Electrician. The reference to appoint- ments from outside is in consequence of the re-engagement of Mr. Hamer, formerly an overseer, which is dealt with in my despatch No.158 of the 7th May, 1920.
The comparisons in paragraphe 16 and 17 are not sound. At 4/- to the dollar the sterling equivalent of the Second Class Overseer's initial salary in the Colony is £520, while the First Class Overseer's maximum salary works out at £720.
The men's real grievance is probably set out in paragrapha 18 to 21. The Police, as I have explained elsewhere, were paid largely by means of allowances, and their salaries have now been brought into line with those in other departments, the allowances being abolished. The
Overseers'