assumption to make any substantial or permanent reduction
in the attractions which they offer. With reference to the
third point it is true that the present limitation in the
number of candidates taken and the partial elimination of
competition from other services have combined to place
recruitment for the Colonial Administrative Service in a
very satisfactory position. But having regard to the
normal wastage it does not seem possible that recruiting
can for very long continue on the present limited basis,
even after allowance has been made for reductions in
establishments. Also, there is clear evidence that in spite
of the general depression, a certain demand continues to
exist for young men of the best type from the Universities,
and that the most desirable candidates do not experience
serious difficulty in obtaining alternative employment.
Thus any permanent deteriorations in the attractions which
the Service offers would be accompanied by a definite risk
of loss in the quality of the candidates coming forward.
Moreover, any reduction in the terms laid down for the
Administrative Staff would inevitably have to be reflected
in a scaling down of the terms offered in respect of other
branches of the service, recruitment for which is not on so
satisfactory a footing and might be even more seriously
prejudiced.
A review of these considerations suggests that
there are only two alternative courses which can safely
be adopted:-
1) To maintain the present conditions of service in
substance for the time being, and to effect any necessary
savings
8
savings by way of measures which are definitely of a
temporary character; or
(2) To devise new permanent conditions which, while
if possible representing a saving in the total of
Government expenditure, will be in such a form that,
taking one consideration with another, the attractions
of the Service will not be diminished.
If the latter alternative is practicable,
there is much to be said in its favour, especially if
the matter can be dealt with as part of a scheme of
real unification. It cannot be too strongly emphasised,
however, that in considering a question of this kind it
is necessary to take a long view, and to base decisions
upon fundamental principles. Thus, any scale of salary
must be such as, upon a reasonable estimate in the light
of such evidence as is available, satisfies the following
conditions:-
(1) It must provide an initial rate of pay which
will enable an unmarried officar to live within his
means in conditions suitable to his rank.
(2) It must place the officer in a position to
marry and to enter into normal family commitments at a
reasonably carly period of his life.
(こ) It must provide a definite prospect of reaching
a salary at which the officer can take his natural place
in the world, provide for the education of his children
and meet his social and domestic obligations.
(4) It must be so co-ordinated with the pension
system as to enable the officer to earn, after a normal
career in the Service, an adequate retiring allowance.
(5)
9
(5) Generally, it must be a scale which, taken in
conjunction with the other conditions of service, will
compare favourably enough with the attractions offered
by other professions and businesses to secure a
sufficient supply of candidates with the necessary
qualificationa.
Paat experience justified the expectation that
the original unification scheme satisfied these essential
requirements and no evidence is forthcoming which would
support the view that in principle the scheme is in any
way too generous. But if practical considerations
absolutely preclude the acceptance of the scale as it
stands, there are strong arguments in favour of the
view that any reduction should be confined to the lower
end of the scale, provided always thet a clear assurance
can be given that the first of the conditions enumerated
above is fulfilled, and that there is no danger of an
officer who wisely arranges his affairs becoming
financially embarrassed during his early years. In
that the other conditions may be
order, moreover, that the other
fulfilled, it is desirable that there should be some
edjustment of incrementa su that, while on the whole
the scheme may represent a saving in Government
expenditure as compared with existing scales, the point
at which the officer reaches a salary on which he can
live as a married man is not substantially postponed.
Further, account must be taken of the situation
with regard to the retiring age and the pension fraction.
10
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