Name.
Indian Members.
Rank.
Gaol Staff.
COPY
Hong Kong Prison,
Hong Kong.
Date. 7th September, 1938.
35
The Honourable Colonial Secretary
(through the Commissioner of Prisons)
Sir,
With reference to C.S.O.Circular No.57 of 10th
August 1938 we the undersigned Indian members of the Gaol
Staff of this Colony, have the honour to submit the follow-
ing application to Government for favourable consideration:
1. At the time the conventional rate of exchange
was introduced for pensions, the market rate was the same as
the present one. Such conventional rate must have been fixed
by Government after careful and serious consideration as to
its effects on Government as well as on its Indian Civil
Servants. Government's financial position at the time of
the introduction of the conventional rate of exchange was not
as favourable as it is today. We are unable therefore to
understand the reason for Government's proposal to consider
any revision of the present system of payment of pensions.
2. The new system contemplated by Government means
a cut of about 35% in our pensions and we particularly beg
to point out that this cut affects Indians only. In view
of the fact that exchange rates are so uncertain we further
beg to say that unless the revision is only temporary and
future rates of exchange will be increased to over 1121⁄2 we
will be put to great hardship.
3. Since Government control of the rate of ex-
change in December 1935 and the subsequent drop in the buying
ENCLOSURE NO.2.