pendra
10 -
Budgets have been examined more in the light of what
has been left out in the way of development work than
they have been in the matter of growing governmental
costs, but now that the public is faced with the prospect
of increased taxation it is right to ask that the whole
position shall be carefully examined before extra taxation
is imposed to meet the cost of greatly increased salaries.
III. Conditions of Government Employ.
It has always been thought in Hongkong that
Government Servants are a fortunate section of the
·
community There has been no reluctance to enter
Government Service, for with allowances and pensions
such servants are better off than most of the community.
Practically the whole of the European subordinate staff
enjoy free quarters, others receiving rent allowances in
lieu thereof. Many of the higher paid staff occupy
comparatively palatial houses at the very low rental of
six per cent. of their salary, plus 1 per cent. for the
more substantial items of furniture.
Privileged medical
attention and hospital accommodation are provided, leave
on full pay with passages for wives and children are
granted at shorter intervals than obtain in the majority of
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non-government positions, there is the certainty of a
pension on retirement, and in general, Government Servants
1