:
5.
422
" it is in fact a debt which the Government
must of necessity discharge unless it is
shown that it is absolutely impossible for it
to find the money. The payment of adequate
salaries to Government officers for services.
rendered is just as much a legitimate debt
as the payment to a contractor for services
performed. If it had been possible to submit
the report of the Salaries Commission to the
Secretary of State earlier, it is probable
that the new rates would have been brought
into force as from the 1st January, 1929.
If that had been done I can hardly imagine
that a request would have been made to Government
to pay its officers at a reduced rate when the
dollar dropped below a certain figure. In short,
once the recommendations of this Commission are
accepted as fair and reasonable, I consider that
this Government is bound in honour to give
effect to them."
The Colonial Secretary (The Honourable Mr.
W.T. Southorn, C.M.G.) said as follows:-
"...... a very fair scheme and indeed a tardy
act of justice."
.. Granted that the scheme is fair, the
payment of these salaries becomes a debt of
honour which the Colony is bound to meet unless