14.
Gov.Conf.
16
2.6.31
Transmits second memorial signed by 573 officer.
Submit for approval a proposal for connect ing
sterling salaries of officers who have dependents
in a country the currency of which is based on gold.
Requests reply by telegraph.
The Petition is open to criticism on one or two
points: -
Page 2. Figures are quoted showing that the
wholesale index figure for foodstuffs nas gone up over
fo rty per cent since 1922 but the se figures are
apparently based on dollar prices and do not take
into account exchange fluctuations.
Page 4 Para.8 Comparative figures for previous years
are not supplied.
Page 6 Para. 12. Comparison of rates in different towns
is notoriously difficult, in view of differerces of
stringency and method of assessment.
Please see minutes on 4 on the P.Q. file,
especially last para. of Dr.Shiels' minute of 23.6.31.
I suggest following action.
? Tel. to Gov. approving scheme in paragraphs 7-8
of despatch. Add that despatch follows informing him
that system of conversion of entire sterling salaries
at current exchange rate should be restored as from
#1932.
1st January, . Estimates should therefore be
framed on that basis.
In open despatch say that Secretary of State
has now further reviewed the question of the system
of exchange in sterling salaries. He considers that,
the fal 1 in exchange having been arrested and the
Colony having had a sufficient interval in which to
read just