4.
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paragraph 8(c) of Mr. Thomas' despatch, but the Hong Kong service is so small that a division of Administrative time-scale posts into two Classes would be a matter of great difficulty and almost certainly result in undeserved blockages of promotion. I notice, however, that in the paragraph under reference the phrase "subject only to efficiency" is applied to clearing the fences on a through time-scale. The question which I have always put to myself when considering the signature of an efficiency bar certificate is "Does the efficiency of this officer justify his future remuneration at the salary rates above this bar?" If any lower value than this is set to an efficiency certificate it appears to me to lose its essential distinction from the periodical increment certificate, i.e. a negative test of non- disqualification usurps the place of a positive test of qualification. I have in fact always regarded the efficiency
bar as equivalent to a promotion barrier except in so far as the passing of it does not have to wait for a vacancy in the higher ranks. The criterion applied in Hong Kong has not, I understand, been so strict hitherto but (if the proposals now put forward are approved) the efficiency bar will be treated in the manner indicated and not misused as an engine of "automatic" promotion.
7.
The present Cadre of the Cadet Service provides for seven appointments above the time-scale, none of which (except the Secretaryship of Chinese Affairs) attaches to the tenure of any definite post. The duties performed by two of these Class I officers, i.e. those of Director of Education and First Police Magistrate, may pass in the not distant future out of Cadet hands and be included in the Educational and Legal Cadres respectively. Moreover with the transference of the Wireless Services to a Company's control the duties of Postmaster-General will no longer justify the highest level of salary. A justifiable measure of compensation to the Cadet Service for these losses will be the
elevation of the Chairmanship of the newly formed Urban Council