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was settled was that they should be paid at the
current rate, provided that the current rate is 2/-
or less than 2/-, but that if the rate exceeds 2/-,
the salaries are to be paid at 2/-. It is quite
clear from the terms of the report of the Commission,
and the Resolution of the Legislature, and from the
speeches made when the Resolution was introduced,
that the possibility of the dollar falling below 2/-
was contemplated, and that it was the intention that
the officers should have the benefit if it did.
Yet, before six months are passed, it
is proposed to tear up the arrangement, and to placate
the Unofficials with some of the salaries of the
Officials. Now,
the arrangement is, in respect to
the possible rise of the dollar, one-sided in favour
of the officers, and I am not going to suggest, of
Scheme
course, that the on binds the Government in
perpetuity. But what I am quite sure is that it
was never intended that it should be altered until
a reasonable period had elapsed, and certainly not
that it should be altered merely because something
has happened which was foreseen and provided for
and settled. The Officials, of course, have no
legal rights;
like all civil servants, they must
rely upon the honour of Governments. I am bound
to say that I think the action which is proposed
is, having regard to the terms of the settlement,
the circumstances, and the dates, a breach of the
intention and the terms of the June Sekerfect.
.12.30.
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