PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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Hon. Dr. Ho Kai.- With your leave, and in the absence of the senior unofficial member, I beg to propose a resolution in order that my unofficial colleagues may have an opportunity of discussing this question to-day. The proposition I have to make is as follows:-"That the decision of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding the further grant of exchange compensation to Civil servants. of this Colony, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council, be approved by this Council." I am quite of the same opinion as the senior unofficial member of the Council. I certainly think that in the third port of the world we should not pay our Civil servants in any worse manner than they are paid in Singapore, considering that this Colony of Hong Kong is the chief port of call for all vessels coming East or going West; and we expect, and have a right to expect, that all our Civil servants should discharge their duties in a faithful manner corresponding to the importance of this Colony. And while we expect faithful and long service from our Civil servants, we certainly should pay them sufficiently for their faithful work. Singapore, I believe, although it is a larger place, than Hong Kong, is in prosperity, in trade, and in every- thing else, far behind Hong Kong, and I believe the duties there of the Civil servants are not anything like so hard and important as we have for them here. So that in. sanctioning this further grant in exchange compensation, we are doing nothing but justice to our Civil servants, and I for one, as representing the Chinese, numerous large tax-payers in the Colony, am quite of the opinion that their compensation should be increased. There is a further inducement, I think, in this way, that while they are on active service here they get the full compensation, and in their absence on leave they do not have any such advantage, so that there would be an inducement to work harder here and not go home on half-pay leave so frequently. We at all events, as colonists and inhabitants, get good service for the rate of pay. I propose this resolu- tion just to the opinion of my unofficial colleagues now [sic. in original], and I am quite ready to discuss the questions; I only put this out as a feeler, so that we may all see what opinion will be expressed and whether we are unanimous in sanctioning this decision of the Secretary of State.
Hon. J. J. Bell Irving.--I have much pleasure in seconding the proposition put before the Council. I heartily agree with what Dr. Ho Kai has said.
Hon. Wei a Yuk.-I beg to concur with all Dr. Ho Kai has said.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead. I would certainly have seconded the proposal and my sympathies are entirely with the Civil servants. But, sir, I would like if this motion could be postponed until next meeting of the Council with the view of having an opportunity of going into the matter. This is the first, practically, I have heard of the
motion.
I did not know that it was to be brought forward to-day, and if it would make no difference I would like time to give it full consideration. If your Excellency would give the unofficial members an opportunity of perusing the despatches which have passed I have no doubt at all that an unanimous vote could be come to.
His Excellency the Governor.-I quite understand the position of the hon. member. I may tell you that I gave this at once to the senior unofficial member of the Council with a view to his communicating with the other members. Unfortunately you were not here, being away at the time. Of course if it is the wish of the unofficial members that it should be postponed, I am in their hands. As to the despatches, they were confidential: I have said as much as I can regarding them, and I do not think I can make them public, because they were confidential and mention some matters that perhaps it might be as well not to publish. I have no objection to show the hon. member the despatch if he wishes to see it. Perhaps that would be quite sufficient.
Hon. J. Thurburn.- quite concur with what Dr. Ho Kai has said on every ground, but especially on the ground that it is most undesirable that our officials should be paid less than those of any other Colony. As you, sir, mentioned in your speech, we would get the worst men. There is no question about that, and I think that is one of the strongest reasons why we should grant this increase. For my part, I have much pleasure in supporting it.
His Excellency the Governor.-I do not know whether I mentioned it, but the proposal is that this increase should take place from the first of next month, and that is one of the reasons I wished to bring the matter before the Council to-day before the Afst of next month. As a rule I disapprove of retrospection in such cases, and I think it is better that we have the thing arranged before the date arrives. If it is the wish of the unofficial members that it be postponed, I am entirely in their hands.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead.-In deference to what has been said, I will not press my proposal. I have no desire to stand in the way. Only before giving my vote on a
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question involving a very considerable outlay of money, I should have liked to have had an opportunity of fully considering and discussing all the pros. and cons. My sympathies are entirely with the resolution, but as an ordinary matter of business I should have liked to have had an opportunity of going into the matter, and discussing it in all its different phases and on its merits. Still I have no desire to oppose the wishes of the majority.
The motion on being put to the Council was carried unanimously.
6725
SIR,
No. 48.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
GOVERNOR SIR F. A. SWETTENHAM to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received February 17, 1902.)
(No. 27.)
[Answered by No. 67.]
Government House, Singapore, January 20, 1902.
IN continuation of previous correspondence, I have now the honour to enclose, for your favourable consideration, the scheme of sterling salaries which I have prepared for (a) the Cadet branch, (b) the professional and other appointments, in the Straits Settlements Service.
2. After all that I have already written on this subject it would be superfluous to go over the ground again, or to give reasons for the sterling sums which I propose for each appointment in these lists.
3. The decision you have already arrived at with reference to officers in the Service prior to 1st August, 1901, has cleared the ground, and, should my proposals not meet with your approval, or should you require further information beyond what I now supply, there is fortunately time for the fullest consideration and discussion.
4. Speaking generally I may say that I have been guided by the following con- siderations (1) your instruction that the sterling salaries should be fixed with regard to the duties and responsibilities of cach post, allotting thereto such remuneration as seemed just and fair, without regard to the dollar salaries hitherto paid; (2) the cost of living in this Colony; (3) the comparative rates of salaries in other Colonies, especially in Ceylon and British Guiana; (4) the maintenance of at least the existing standard of character and education in candidates for service in this Colony; (5) the strong advisability of abolishing, wherever possible, all extra allowances, such as free quarters or house rent, fees, &c.
5. Further I have consulted Mr. Kynnersley (Acting Colonial Secretary), Mr. Penney (the Treasurer), and two more junior officers of the Cadet Service, in regard to all the proposals. I have also placed the scheme, privately, before the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council and, while those who have only just returned to the Colony (Mr. Napier and Mr. Stringer) did not commit themselves to a general acceptance of sterling payments, the others have, as you are aware, already expressed their approval of the change, and I understand that the scheme I now forward meets their views except as to the following points:-
(a.) They are in favour of higher salaries for the Chief Justice and Judges in order to secure higher qualifications in the officers appointed to those posts.
(b.) They consider that some few posts to be found in the list of professional appointments should be filled by professional men and not by Cadets.
(c.) They recommend that the minimum half salary of a passed Cadet on leave after six years' resident service shall be £200.
6. On the whole, then, I think I may say that the scheme as prepared has the approval of those here who are best able to give an opinion, and, if it obtains your sanction, I believe it will secure its objects, which I may briefly summarize as; comparative finality; rates of salary and prospects sufficient to attract the class of men required; fair remuneration for the services to be rendered; a system of classification and periodical increments to relieve a possible stagnation in promotion; rates which include the total local, leave, and pensionable emoluments of each post, and cannot be misunderstood because they are expressed in sterling. If the scheme is likely to secure these objects I think you will agree with me that it is well recommended.
7. In order that you may have the fullest information under your eye, so as to compare the existing conditions with the proposed scheme, I have prepared a form (A), which gives, in parallel columns, the present dollar salary, the equivalent in sterling at 36. to the dollar, the proposed sterling salary, the nature of the increments,