1
2
2.1
more than 50% of their salary, while subordinate
officers only begin to draw a comparatively small
sum after completion of 10 years' service. It is
worthy of note that certain Government employees
even below the rank of subordinate officers draw
rent allowances commencing from date of their engage -
ment. As regards Government rented quarters in
Percival Street, they are no better than the accom-
modation provided for Chinese Coolies of several
leading European Firms in Hong Kong, and are not of
a type that can be tenanted with any degree of reason-
able comfort by men of a social grade of clerical
service of Government.
3.
In paragraph 3 of your letter under reply
it was stated that both the General and Chinese
Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong, in reply to
Government's enquiries, were of the opinion that
Government subordinate officers are better paid
comparing with employees of both Chinese and European
Firms in Hong Kong. To compare Government subordinate
officers with employees of Chinese Firms, it is only
fair that men of a social standing and education
similar to the class holding appointments in the
Government clerical service should be taken into
consideration. We beg to point out that men of the
same status, while in the employ of Chinese Firma
are generally allowed to hold several posts concurrently
and to receive commission on sales, and bonuses at
the end of each year and, in addition, are allowed
to do business on their own account, while Government
servants are rigidly denied such privileges.
There
are instances where commissions earned by certain
clerks in certain employments exceed their monthly
salaries.
Regarding Fension privileges, the system
of