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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
IC.O.885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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(SIR EDWARD Wingfield.).
I have no doubt that if all the higher posts in the services of the Crown Colonies were filled by men who entered the service, as in the case of the Home Civil Service, the Indian Service, and the services of the three Eastern Colonies, by competi- tive examination, the service would be more etti. cient, and there would be a better field for the choice of Colonial Governors with experience of Colonial administration.
Of course, we could not even so expect to come up to the Indian standard, because the scale of pay in the Crown Colonies must be much lower, and the service consequently less attractive.
The objections which have been pointed out in the various minutes to a general Colonial service seem to me to be insuperable.
I do not believe that good men would be attracted to a service which would make them liable to be moved about to any part of the world, whatever the climate; if so, the attempt to establish a general service would only give us a poorer choice than we now get for the Eastern Colonies alone.
Then comes the question of a cadet service for groups of Colonies, ́ I believe it would be most desirable to establish such a scheme for the West African Colonies and Protectorates, but until the climatic difficulties which make it unsafe to send out men under 25 can be overcome, I fear it will be difficult. Still the attempt should be made, and the beginning already made for the Gold Const should be followed up,
very
Indies
and
one
Weat
In the West Indies, Mauritius and Malta, the Transfers between great difficulty arises from the claims of the Colo- West Indian Colony and nists-they look to the Colonial Civil Service as the another should be freely career for their children, who could only in very West
made, and also between the rare instances compete in an open examination Africa, until the latter has with home candidates. To separate the service in established a calet service these Colonies into a higher division filled by com- sufficient supply ita petitive examination in England, and a`lower needs.—E. W.
division filled by nomination or examination in the
Colonies, would create great bitterness, especially
in the larger Colonies-Jamaica, Trinidad. British
Guiana, and Barbados—and still more in Mauritius
and Malta. I do not see the way to doing more I agree with Mr. Graham than filling the highest appointments in these that this is preferable to Colonies by transfers from other Colonies, and the nomination of ont- preferably from the Eastern Colonies, so that gra- siders.—E. W.
dually these higher posts may be filled by persons who have entered the service by competition.
Malta, I think, must be treated exceptionally, only the Chief Secretary being appointed from outside. The salaries of the other Heads of Departments are. too small to attract competent non-natives.
From the very different character of the Services and of the rates of pay I do not think that any combination of the Indian and Colonial Services is practicable.
We have, with great advantage to the Crown Colonies, obtained from time to time from the Home Service officers of experience in special work, such as Customs or Post Office, and I agree
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with Mr. Antrobus that it would be very convenient if officers of that kind could be seconded from the Home Service for service in a Colony- especially in West Africa-for a few years.
As to exchanges between the Colonial Office and the Colonial Service, I think they are useful and desirable, but I doubt whether, for the reasons stated by Mr. Graham, it is practicable to have more than one such temporary exchange going on at one time. I think the suggestion of Mr. Luens and Mr. Graham, of having Colonial officers tem- porarily attached to the Colonial Office on special. half-pay leave, is a good one.
As regards the system of recommending for promotion, touched upon by Mr. Antrobus and Lord Ampthill, I think that when a vacancy has to be filled by promotion the Private Secretary should circulate the papers through the Departments inviting suggestions. The General Department knows nothing about the merits of officers except what it may get from the Governor's confidential Reports, which I agree that it should have charge at. When the Geographical Departments have made their suggestions, the Governor's Reports on the men whese names they put forward should, of course, be referred to before a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State.
I think that a Departmental Committee such as has been suggested, with the addition of an ex- perienced ex-Colonial officer-g., Sir C. Smith—) would be desirable.
E. W.
30th July.