salary scale proposed in the unification scheme is on a
suitable basis for such conditions as
as are likely to be
normal for some considerable period. Moreover, it should
be recognised that salary scales have been fixed in the
past as part of the general scheme of conditions of
service, and that in the unification scheme the salary
scale similarly forms part of a balanced arrangement into
which there enter other important factors such as leave
and pensions. In some respects the scheme is more favourable
to officers than existing systems; in other respects, for
instance in regard to pensions in Tropical Africa, it is
less favourable. An attempt to deal with conditions of
service piecemeal under the pressure of an insistent demand
for economy may be expected to result in acceptance of
every proposal which is to the disadvantage of the officer
and the rejection of everything to his advantage; the
consequent effect of this might well be to prejudice
recruitment and to create a series of anomalies which would
have to be dealt with at no distant date. Such a position
would clearly be contrary to the interests of the Service and
of the Governments by which it is employed.
On the other hand, it might be claimed that the
economic situation has already developed to such an extent
that the following predictions may be expected to hold good
Over as long a period as it is necessary to foresee for the
purpose of a present decision:-
(1) That the financial situation of the several
dependencies will continue to be such as to necessitate
the most rigorous economy in public expenditure.
(2)
6