55
No. 33.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 1.40 p.m., 22nd August, 1933.)
TELEGRAM.
54
decision on the questions raised in the first nine paragraphs of my open despatch may be conveyed to me by telegraph.
4. I transmit a memorial which Dr. Chandrasena has addressed to you on this subject. I have reason to believe that he will be satisfied if you inform him that you have approved of the proposal made in paragraph 9 of my open despatch.
14327/33 [No. 3].
I have, &c.,
GRAEME THOMSON,
Governor.
No. 129. YOUR despatch No. 442.*
All proposals approved.-CUNLİFFE-
LISTER.
416
}
SIR,
Enclosure in No. 32.
University College, Colombo, Ceylon, 3rd July, 1933.
14327/33 [No. 4],
The Professorship of Chemistry, Ceylon University College.
I HAVE the honour to state that I understand that I have been recommended for appointment to the Professorship of Chemistry rendered vacant by the retirement of Professor W N. Rae, but that the salary attached to the post (£800-1,150) has been reduced and that I am to receive. after about twenty years' service, no better treatment than a new entrant to the service would do.
•
2. I am one of the Senior Lecturers here, having been appointed in October, 1922, shortly after the establishment of the College. Prior to my appointment as Demonstrator in Chemistry at the Medical College, 1914, I held other posts under Government and the period of pensionable service I have put in is considerably over twenty years.
3. Although a promotion from a lectureship to a professorship cannot always be claimed to be a normal one, I beg to point out that it is not by any means an un- usual one, and that in the only similar vacancy that occurred a few months ago in this College, the Lecturer was promoted under the ordinary conditions.
I
I
4. According to the new scale of salaries, the maximum-salary of a Professor is to be £800 per annum (the initial of the existing scale)-a reduction of £350. have been drawing the maximum salary of a Lecturer, namely £700, since 1928. understand, however, that on my appointment as Professor, I shall be placed on the next increment on the new scale (£600-£800 per annum). This entitles me to an increase of £20 per annum which cannot be regarded as an adequate remuneration for the increased responsibilities. It would not be unfair on my part to expect better treatment than a new entrant, particularly in view of the fact that I have been in entire charge of, and have developed my branch of the subject in a new Institution, preparing candidates for the External Examination of the University of London and that since my appointment, I have acquired further experience in the University of Munich where I spent the whole of my last long leave of twelve months except the few weeks at the Imperial Institute. Moreover, this is the last and only promotion I can expect in the rest of my career.
5. The above facts will show that I have a genuine grievance for the redress of which I most earnestly appeal to you.
I am, &c..
•
(No. 436.)
SIR,
No. 34.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to TUE GOVERNOR.
Downing Street, 5th September, 1933.
I HAVE the honour to refer to your despatch No. 442 of the 15th July, 1933,* regarding the proposed appointment to the post of Professor of Chemistry at the Ceylon University College of Dr. J. P. C. Chandrasena, and to confirm my telegram No. 129 of the 22nd August, † in which I approved your proposal to appoint Dr. Chandrasena on
Rs.9,000 12,000 the maximum salary of the new scale
which has now been adopted 300 for the post.
2. I note from your despatch that while the Board of Ministers concur in the proposal that Dr. Chandrasena should be appointed to the post on the salary scale mentioned above, they are unable to agree with your view that he should receive at once the maximum salary provided in the scale." On this particular question I find myself in agreement with your view. As I have said in my despatch No. 414 of the 24th August, the Governor must be regarded not only as being vested with the power of appointing officers (and as being able to exercise that power without necessarily following the advice of Ministers), but as responsible for maintaining an efficient administration.
It is clear that, in acquiescing in the appointment as Professor of Chemistry of a highly-qualified candidate like Dr. Chandrasena, the Board of Ministers have adopted
a policy which involves the maintenance of a high standard in the teaching staff. It is equally clear that you, in the exercise of your responsibility for the efficient execution of this policy, must satisfy yourself that an adequate salary is paid to the holder of this and similar posts. I accordingly concur in the action which you recommend as regards the salary to be paid to Dr. Chandrasena.
3. It will be understood that the general approval conveyed in my telegram of the 22nd August covers also the payment of the allowance referred to in para- graph 10 of your despatch of the 15th July.
I have, &c.,
P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER.
The Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State
for the Colonies.
J. P. C. Chandrasena. Acting Professor of Chemistry.
* No. 31.
† No. 33.
No. 21.
PUBLI
PECORD OFFICE
Peference
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C.O.882/12
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