209
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE UNDERSIGNED
OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE
COLONY OF HONG KONG TO THE RIGHT
HONOURABLE MR. JAMES HENRY THOMAS, M.P.,
HIS MAJESTY'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE
COLONIES.
SHEWE TH:
1.
2.
We, the undersigned, are officers of the Civil Service of
Hong Kong whose services were engaged upon the understanding
that our renumeration would be payable upon a sterling basis.
On the 28th December, 1935, a circular was issued by the
Colonial Secretary to the Heads of Departments intimating that
in view of the unfavourable financial position caused by the
fall in revenue and the low exchange value of the Hong Kong
dollar the Government was reluctantly considering the imposition
of a temporary levy on both dollar and sterling salaries.
Appendix
"A"
On the 20th January, 1936, a further circular (of which a
copy together with copy of an amending circular is annexed) was
issued by the Colonial Secretary stating that the following
method of payment would, as from the 1st January, 1936, be
adopted for the payment of sterling salaries:-
(1) No levy on salaries not exceeding £240 per annum. On
salaries above that figure, 2% on first £240, 5% on next
£360, 7% on next £400, 10% on next £400 and 12% on
remaining portion of salary above £1,400 per annum.
may be expressed in tabular form as under:
This
On the first £240
22%
Above £240 and up to £600
5%
£600
41 11 47
£1,000 72%
£1,400 10%
121%
£1,000
£1,400
always provided that this levy shall not operate so as to reduce