PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
EPIC.O. 882
السلسا
6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
58
as other Colonies may not be in that position, and the circumstances are not likely to be otherwise identical.
I
(d.) Whether you decide upon a scheme of sterling or dollar salaries the question of fixing a commencing salary for Cadets should be dealt with. The present scale, which is equal to £187.10, is probably enough for an economical man to live upon while out here, but he can save nothing for passages home and back, for his health or relax- ation, and it is certainly a very small remuneration to tempt good University men to leave England for a life at the Equator.
21. You have already the recommendations of the Committee of Council, as regards this Colony, and I will continue to collect similar information as regards the Federated Malay States. But it would greatly simplify matters and save much time if you would, after considering this letter, favour me with a telegram to tell me whether you still desire me to frame a scheme on the sterling basis or whether I should pre- pare, for the Federated Malay States, a dollar scheme similar to that already sug- gested for the Colony.
I have, &c.,
'
F. A. SWETTENHAM. P.S.-Lest there should be any doubt as to my own opinion, I am in favour of such a scheme as referred to in paragraph 17.
SIR,
Enclosure in No. 17.
F. S.
MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE to the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Singapore, May 8, 1901. WE, the undersigned, have the honour to address you on the subject of the proposed increase to the pay of the Civil Service asked for in a memorial sent in in July last.
2. In his reply to the despatch sent with that memorial, the Right Honourable the Secretary of State admitted the necessity of increasing our salaries in consequence of the increased cost of living in the Colony,
3. A Select Committee of the Legislative Council was appointed to report on the matter. The Unofficial Members were unanimously of opinion that it was just and necessary to raise the pay of the Civil Service, and a careful and elaborate report was drawn up recommending certain considerable increases throughout the Service to take effect from 1st January, 1901. This report was laid before Council on 5th March, 1901.
4. We were thus led to hope that our petition would be very shortly alleviated. 5. But by circular of the 15th March, 1901, we have been informed that the matter must stand over for the present.
6. We fully understand that the postponement of a final settlement of the question is the necessary result of the preparation of a new scheme, viz., the payment of salaries in sterling, and of a wish expressed by the Secretary of State to have the Federated Malay States brought into line with the Colony in the matter of pay and pension, and we are also aware that His Excellency is doing his utmost to bring this present scheme to maturity,
7. While we recognise the advantages which may result from a scheme based on payment in sterling, provided the increase given be sufficiently liberal, we cannot help seeing that the preparation of such a scheme presents so many difficulties and involves so many conflicting interests that it must inevitably be a considerable time before it can be finally settled.
8. It is the prospect of delay in the settlement of this important matter which induces us to address you, and to ask that you will be good enough to lay the matter before His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government with a view to its being represented to the Secretary of State.
9. The memorial above alluded to was not drawn up until matters had become really pressing, and since then the pressure has continued to increase, the cost of living, of passages to and from Europe, of house rent, &c., have continued to rise, and many of us are reduced to the most serious financial embarrassment.
10. The justice of increasing our pay having been recognised in principle, we, therefore, beg to appeal to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, and to ask that he will submit, for the consideration of the Right Honourable the
39
Secretary of State for the Colonies (if possible by telegram) the urgent necessity for the grant of some immediate increase to present salaries for the current year, such increase to date back to the 1st January last, and to be quite independent of any scheme that may hereafter be matured in respect of salaries.
We have, &c.,
20875
No. 18.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
34 signatories.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to AÇTING-GOVERNOR SIR F. A. SWETTENHAM (Sent 1.0 p.m., July 12, 1901.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 19,]
Referring to your confidential despatches, 16 March and 17 May,* I have not yet come to any final decision, but I shall be glad of your views as to the following in the case of all European officers in both Colony and Federated Malay States.
First, for all new comers after a given date sterling salaries on scale to be fixed on merits of the case irrespective of present holders of offices.
Secondly, for all now in the service, compensation allowance on whole instead of half-salaries, but on salaries alone, exclusive of all allowances.
This will give liberal increase to local pay without any increase to pension or leave charges, which will be governed by existing rules.
I shall be glad to know what increase this will involve roughly to expenditure in Colony, and Federated Malay States respectively, and whether you are of opinion that it can safely be met.
24518
No. 19.
ACTING-GOVERNOR SIR F. A. SWETTENHAM to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received 10.21 a.m., July 16, 1901.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 20.]
Referring to your cypher telegram, 12th July,f your scheme has great advantages, would save immediate trouble, and if granted forthwith give satisfaction.
Revenue of Colony and Federated Malay States can afford expenditure; approxi- mate estimate increase Colony $231,000 if you approve clerical and subordinate proposals.
Federated Malay States $300,000. Anomalies, previously detailed in my letter and my confidential despatch of 21st Junet remain, but I recommend grant forthwith. Your terms for this year from 1st January give time for writing (?), full particulars of sterling pay grades and periodical increments for all new appointments, and possibly on occurrence of vacancies. Should not personal allowance carry compensation.
24518
No. 20.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to ACTING-GOVERNOR SIR F. A. SWETTENHAM. (Sent 3.40 p.m., July 17, 1901.) TELEGRAM.
Referring to your telegram of 18 July,§ will await your confidential despatch of 21st June before giving final decision. Increases should date only from 1st July. Exchange compensation would be given on personal allowance, but on no other
Nos. 14 and 17.
12169
† No. 18.
‡ No. 22.
§ No. 19.
II 2