Sec. Ref. 4169/46
No. 58.
CONFIDENTIAL
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG,
1st April. 1949.
55
1.
(6) on '48.
I have the honour to refer to paragraph 12 of my Confidential despatch No. 290, dated the 25th of November, 1948, concerning the establishment of a Public Services Commission, and to inform you that I now wish to proceed with the appointment of a Chairman as soon as
possible.
I have certained by demi-official enquiry that Mr. T. Megarry, who recently retired as Cadet Officer, Class I, would probably be willing to accept this appointment, Finance Committee has approved a proposal that a three years' appointment on a flat salary of $3,300 per month should be offered to him, This figure is based on the total emoluments of a Puisne Judge, but does not take into account the recent increase in the Cost of Living Allowance. The appointment would be non-pensionable, but it is proposed that Mr. Megarry should be allowed to retain his pension in addition to the salary offered, and that he should receive the usual leave and medical privileges accorded to expatriate officers. He would not be eligible for Government quarters.
2.
Mr. Megarry is, I think, the ideal choice as the first Chairman of the Public Services Commission. He has a distinguished record of service and in addition to his wide knowledge of conditions in the service and in the Colony generally, he was a member of the Salaries Commission. Under his guidance the auspices for the Public Services Commission would be most favourable.
3*
was
It would be very convenient if this appointment could be made as soon as possible. The membership of the Conditions of Service Committee, which, as you know, appointed as an interim measure to deal with anomalies arising out of the Salaries Commission, will be much weakened next month by the departure from the Colony of the Chairman, Mr. D.J. Sloss. Although I intend to keep the Committee in being until the Public Services Commission is set up, I feel now that not only should the advent of the Public Services Commission be hastened, but that the early appointment of Mr. Megarry would be invaluable. Much preparatory work will require to be done and this, I feel, he could undertake while serving as Chairman of the Conditions of Service Committee.
4.
As I explained in paragraph 3 of my despatch under reference, action has been initiated to introduce a modified form of Whitleyism in this Colony. I intend to start regular conferences in the near future between representatives of the Government and of the European and Chinese Civil Servants Associations. It would therefore be convenient to have the Chairman designate of the Public Services Commission available as soon as possible, even if he were engaged only
in preparatory work, to complete the link-up between the Associations, the Commission, and the Government.
5.
I should be grateful for early information, by telegram if possible, as to whether you agree to the intro- duction into Legislative Council of the draft Bill forwarded with my previous despatch, and to my making an offer of