169
2
196
We think that the present situation should be met by a sufficient all round reduction of salaries and not by extensive abolition of posts.
At the present juncture Government Servants who lose their posts have no reasonable opportunity of finding outside employment and considerable dissatisfaction, hardship, bitter feeling, and unrest would thereby be created.
In the case of the Plaine Lauzun and Railway artisans and work- men who were recently dismissed, the Government has been com. pelled to create a Dole Fund to keep more than 300 ex-Civil Ser- vants and their families alive until such time when they can find new employment.
We are not, however, against the gradua! application of certain recommendations having for their effect to remedy over staffing of numerous Departments by the pensioning off of employees having reached the age limit or by not filling posts becoming vacant through the transfer, retirement, or death of the occupier thereof.
The Civil Service has been most fairly and most generously treated by the Colony, in years of prosperity. It is only fair that they should now contribute to a reasonable extent to bring down the expenditure of the Government in order to help the Colony to tide over the present difficult times.
The Colony cannot maintain the salaries of the Civil Service at figures which absorb 45 per cent, or even 40 per cent. of its revenue. After a careful examination of all the above conditions and cir- cumstances we consider that a levy of 20 per cent. on the salaries of the Civil Service and of 10 per cent. on the pensions of the Civil Service, would be fair and reasonable in the present financial crisis. Such levies to be in force for 1932-1933 pending reorganization and re-establishment of the Government finances.
Such a cut would still leave the Civil Service in a favourable posi- tion in comparison with their pre-war situation and in comparison with every other class of employees in the Colony.
Memorandum from the Members for Port Louis.
The two members for Port Louis agree with the other Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council as to the necessity for an im- mediate general curtailment of Government expenditure. Govern. ment being at a loss to face its current expenditure, it is evident that the first step to be taken is to restrict this expenditure in a measure compatible with equity and which would not risk to en- danger the normal working of administration. The personal emoluments and cognate expenses representing a great proportion of Government charges, the Members for Port Louis agree with the
197
other Unofficial Members in asserting that as an emergency measure Government ought to operate substantial reductions under these heads. The two Members for Port Louis are not, however, pre- pared to side with the other Unofficial Members in recommending a Bat reduction of 20 per cent, of the salaries. They consider that the principle contained in the graduated system already adopted by Government is, after all, that which best suits the existing condi- tions in Mauritius. It is true that when the salaries of the Civil Servants were revised the rate of increase was in many cases higher for lower paid than for higher paid sections. But the idea was, or in any case, the effect has been to reduce to a certain extent the dis- proportion which had hitherto existed in most cases between the salaries of subordinate ranks and those of higher ranks of the Civil Service. The Members for Port Louis are of opinion that with the present rates of pay and standard of living in Mauritius a graduated system of reduction, as an emergency and temporary measure, is the best means of preventing the Civil Service from losing its financial equilibrium and Civil Servants whose salaries cover only a little more than their essential needs from experiencing further liardships. The Members for Port Louis suggest therefore that the percentage of the grading scale be doubled so as to bring the minimum cut to 5 per cent. and the maximum to 20 per cent. But considering that a fair margin between the lower paid and the higher paid sections could not be reached below salaries of Rs.4,800 per annum, they recommend that the maximum percentage of 20 per cent.. should apply only to salaries exceeding Rs.4,800. The grading scale would therefore be as follows:-
5 per cent. on salaries up to
10 per cent. on salaries up to
15 per cent. on salaries up to
20 per cent. on salaries above
Rs.
780
1,680
4,800
4,800
Such reductions would result in a saving of about Rs.700,000, but taking into consideration the posts which could possibly be abolished, the net saving could be brought to a minimum of Rs.650,000. The Members for Port Louis express no opinion as regards the salary of His Excellency the Governor.
The Members for Port Louis are of opinion that it may be possible to abolish certain posts whose emoluments are in most cases high and which, in a period of crisis calling for financial retrenchment, are not actually or absolutely needed, e.g., in the Forests Depart- ment, the Public Works, the Medical and Health Department, and the Railway Department. The Members for Port Louis agree on this point with certain recommendations of the Commissioners and evaluate the saving which could thus be effected within a short time at Rs.200,000 at least. They would soon be prepared to furnish every required detail on this subject. The Members for Port Louis consider that it would be possible to effect immediate savings under
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TUBLIC
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PECORD OFFICE
Reference --
C.O.882/12
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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