1930-04-25 — Page 7

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1930.

CIVIL

SERVAN

SALARIES.

Despatches to Downing Street.

THE COST OF LIVING.

:

THE CHINA MAIL.

the purpose of meeting votes for Public Works Extraordinary and for certain heavy items of non-recurrent expenditure included under the heading of apecial expenditure, we are left with the flawing analysis for 1990:- Estimated Total Re-

venbe

venue

}

($22,712,920 |

Lord Passtield is surprised to learn that in Hong Kong the cost Deduct Land Sales .... of living is higher now than it was in 1920. He has asked for evid-, Estimated Recurrent Re-" ence to be obtained showing comparative costs in 1920 and 1929 in Estimated Total Expen- the hope-if the figures warrant it-that the cost of living allowance paid to Government servante may be withdrawn or at least diminished.

ture

Deduct

Public Worka Extraordinary Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (disallowed)

Below we reproduce extracts from correspondence passing be. tween Sir Cecil Clementi, the late Governor, and the Secretary Certain henry items of of State for the Colonies relating to the report of the Salaries Com- mission:

non recurront apcefal expenditure

1,006,000

NEW

SHADOWS BEFORE ADVERTISEMENTS.

COMING EVENTS ANNOUNCED IN CHINA MAIL

Social Functions

TO LET.

TO LET-roomed FLATS-No. 24, 2nd floor and No. 28; Ground floor, Ashley Road, Kowloon, with flush Byatezit. Apply Bakfly Co., Ltd.

To-day Tea Dance at Hong Kong Tel. C. 2685, Ifotel, 4.30 p.m.

21,712,920

Today Ten Dance at Peninsula 27,268,515 Hotel, 5 p.m.

3.840,750

25,438

Dances To-day Dinner

at Hong Kong and Peninsula Hotels, 8.30 p.m.

1,016,000

THE CANTON INSURANCE OFFICE, LTD.

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS.

THE

To-morrow-Hong Kong Football Club Annual Dinner, Lane, Cray-] THE FORTY-NINTH ORDIN- ford's Restaurant. 8 pm.

ARY GENERAL MEETING To-morrow Dinner Dances at of Shareholders will be held at Hong Kong. Repulse Bay, and the Offices of the undersigned on: Peninsula Hotels, 8.80 p.m.

FRIDAY, the 16th May, 1930, at To-morrow Diocesan Sehcol Dance, 9 p.m.

Neon, for the purpose of receiv ing the Report of the General Agents, together with a Statement of Accounts for the year ended the 31st December. 1929.

The SHARE REGISTER and TRANSFER BOOKS will_be-

May, 1930, both days inclusive. CLOSED from the 2nd to the 16th

Boys'

Thoatre,

Gross Recurrent Expon-

diture

..$22,987,832 My Lord,With reference to in axchange has already involved

These figures show an estimated paragraph 5 of my despatch No. the Government in payment of deñcit of $674,412, as between estim- 395 of September 6, 1929, I have temporary allowances at 18 per cent. ated recurrent revenue

Entertainments the honour to report the further and per cent. Instead of 16 per estimated

and gross To-day

- Queen's action taken in connection with the cent, and 8 per cent, as provided for but I fully expect the recurrent re-

recurrent expenditure; Trial of Mary Dugan.” Report of the Salaries Commission, in the estimates, the additional cost venue to exceed the already approved "The Awakening."

To-day.Star. Theatre. additional copion of which are en- of which, if extended throughout recurrent expenditure in the light of closed for convenience of reference. the year, is estimated at. $214.500 paas experience Even-without-de-"The Crowd," 5.15 and 9.20 p.m.; To-day World Theatre, I desire first to express my great over and above the $420,000 voted dueting "special expenditure" items, "The Eyeing Woman" (Chinese "pic- indebtedness to the members of the for the high-cost-of-living allow-the recurrent revenue has for the ture), 2.30 and 7.15 p.m. Commission and in particular to the ance. Chairman, Sir Henry Gollan, K.C. It has been found from the ex-ed recurrent expenditure, as fa "Serenade."

past few years in every case exceed- C.B.E., for, the meticulous care with perience of 1929 that even at 16 shown in the table which forms en- which they approached this intricate per cent. and 8 per cent. the vole of closure No. 5 to this despatch. 1, problem and for the very able report $420,000 would have proved inade- therefore, which they have presented as the quate and would require to be less apprehension than the print- view the future, with result of their long and elaborate raised to $564,000. A recalcula- enquiries. Theoir, recommendations |tion of the effect of the new scheme

ed estimates might appear to war Tant. cannot but prove of the utmost based on exchange rate of 1/6d, and

Amusement Tax? value, in arranging for the just and a detailed application of the new equitable treatment of all officers of this Government in regard to their remuneration and other conditions of service.

As a first step copies of the Re. port were issued to the heads of all departments with, an invitation to submit to the Colonial Secretary

staffs, Thia

On the figures for 1929, it would

To-day Majestle Theatre;

Charity Concert in aid of Tin Kwok To-morrow At Theatre Royal, School & Orphanage, 9 p.m.

Sports

4.

JARDINE; MATHESON & CO., LTD., General Agents.

Hong Kong, 26th April, 1930.

HONG KONG CRICKET CLUB.

LAWN TENNIS.

ar-

See Special Sports Diary on page

Home Mails. scales to existing staff raises the have been possible to meet the full via Siberia (Rajputana and Pre-E

To-day-Inward from EuropeXHIBITION TENNIS gross estimate to $11.472,554 or cost of the salaries scheme estimated sident Madison),

MATCHES have been $2,541,468, in excess of the sum at $1,038,934 for that year and stil actually voted for 1934 and $1,358. huve shown a surplus at the end of via Siberia (Pembrokeshire), 10 mitting, on the Stand Court on To-morrow-Outward for Europe ranged to take place, weather per- 524 over the revised estimate at the year. The position for 1930, isa.m.; for Europe via Marseilles | TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY $1-1/104. of the additional cost of not quite so favourable owing to the (Rajputana), 10.30 am,

NEXT. the revision. Any revival in the drop in exchange and I consider value of silver will automatically that it would be advisable to make

April 29, Singles:- result in a reduction of this sum.

Extra Cost Involved.

any representations they might wish

provision for an increased recurrent tö make regarding the awards to

revenue of about $1,000,000. I have their respective

As the Table shows at exchange already under consideration a tax on invitation produced very large 11/9d., the net extra cost of the petrol which should bring in some body of detailed criticism, in which scheme would be under $1,350,000 $200,000 and the possibilities of an nearly every branch of the Service It must, moreover, be borne in mind amusement tax and of a tax on het participated. Every item in these that the existing rules for converting are being investigated: but I representations was fully and care-sion of sterling salaries are power cannot anticipate, any large revenue fully considered and a decision for lewa to mitigate the electy

on

or against modification of the Comoilleurs with sterling commitments from these sources. The only taxes which bring in large-sums-are-the. The of an exchange of $1. Assessment Tax the Stamp Tax and mission's awards was taken. final recommendations of Govern- The sliding scale itself ceases to be the taxes on liquor and tobacco. ment are embodied in the enclosed (of value below an exchange rate of schedule of recommendations and 1/8d. and the temporary allowance tobacco have recently been reviewed Of these the taxes on liquor and ubservations. Apart from these. I does not compensate for any lower and are probably, as high as it is would propose to adhere strictly to rate thun 1/9d.” Therefore, with wise

to make them at present, the Report.

put any revision of salaries, It has though they may be capable of Labour Advisory Board already become necessary to con-future enhancement. The Stamp At the same time copies of the aider what steps should be taken to Duties I, should prefer not to dis- Report were sent to the Labour compensate the officers with sterling (turb. Advisory Board with the request commitments for this further drop that it would furnish the Govern- in the sterling value of the delar.

•*

Assessment Tax.

There remains the Assessment

Lammerts Auctions. April 28 At 1, Observatory Villas, Kowloon, household furni ture, 11 a.m.

tory and dwelling house, household May 5-At Dr. Heanloy's Labora- and office furniture and laboratory glassware, 2.30 p.m.

Land, Sales.

April 28-At P.W.D.

Onces

three lots of Crown Innd, 3 p.m.

Mectings.

To-morrow-Hong Kong Tug, and Lighter Co Ltd. (in Hquidation), G, Des Voeux Road Central, Noon. May 7-Humphreys Estate & Finance Co., Ltd., Hong Kong Hotel, 11.30: a.m.

Miscellaneous. May 9-Union Church Annual Spring Jumble Sale.

CRIME COMMISSION Problem of Cleaning Up Chicago.

"PUBLIC ENEMIES.”

Chiengo, Yesterday.

ment with its views on the findings {Should it prove necessary to abnn-Tax. The present general rate is '80 for as they concerned those don the sliding scale and to convert 18 per cent. and it is expected to' categories of employment which are sterling salaries at current rate with yield $4,250,000 in 1930. This can- embraced by the term "Labour." the maximum temporary allowance not be called a high rate in com- On the request of the Unofficial on, the results so obtained, andparison with other large cities, and I Members of the Executive Council assuming an exchange rate of 1/6d, think it could be raised by 4 per coples were also sent for general it would be necessary to increase the jeant. without any appreciable rise in criticism and observation, to the sum voted for 1930 by $797,559. rents or other undue hardship. An Committees of the Hong Kong The maximum. cost of the revision increase in the Assessment rate by General Chamber of Commerce and if the dollar should fall to 1/6d.4 per cent should bring in about the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of may therefore be put at $2,541.548 $1,300,000. From the $1,500,000 Commerce.

over the sum voted for 1930 but the thus raised It would be necessary Replies were received from the dollar should fall to and remain at under the present method of calcula-eight men whom it describes as It has drawn up a list of twenty- Chinese Chamber of Commerce,un 1/6d. 1 do not however anti-tion to deduct 20 per cent. or $300,- "public enemies," and advises the November 27, 1929, and the Labour tipate that the dollar will fall as 000 as Military Contribution; for Police to deal with them accord- Advisory Board on December 6, low as 1/6d. or that it will even re-which the Colony will obtain no 1929, the former. offering no ob main at ita present low level.

ingly. servations or representations on the.

Additional -Taxation.

The Hat is headed by "Scarface"

additional benefit."..

Approval "Asked.

I

been established to consider the A special Crime Commission has problem of "cleaning up" America's greatest criminal city.

Gordon Lum v. F. Aragon. April 30, Doubles:

F. Aragon and Gordon Lum

S. A. and H. D. Rumjahn. Reserved Seats may now be booked at Messrs. Moutrie & Co. Price $1 each. Play will com- nience at 4.45 p.m. each day.

A proportion of the takings will be given to the Sepoy Fund.-

Note:-Messrs. F. Aragon and Gordon Lum have won the Singles Lawn Tennis Championships of the Philippines and Shanghai res- pectively.

SUMMER TIME

PICNICS,

Order your

PICNIC BASKETS

(for any number)

from the

CATERING · DEPARTMENT,

Phone C. 2581.

MAC'S CAFETERIA

Phone C. 4801.

Your Lordship will no doubt real- Al Capone, the notorious "vice HONG KONG HOTEL Report, while the latter conveyed in It is necessary at this point to tee that this deduction of 20 per king," who is accused of directing general terms an opinion on the consider how far the Colony can cent. acts as a very strong part of its commercial members that meet, the incrensed

for years pust a great criminal or cost of the deterrent to the raising of the Government was already paying scheme without resort to additional additional

ganisation, and being guilty of every revenue and. If its labour adequately. The Cum-taxation. The estimates for 1929

Your

crime in the calendar from murder Lordship could arrange

downwards. - mittee of the General Chamber of as framed, foreshadowed a deficit of that Military Contribution should

Reuter's. American Service. Commerce has not yet replied but $2,621,060. The final figures for not be charged on this additional has reported progress in an 'interim the year will not be available until revenue, necessitated as it is by the lettor of which a copy is enclosed. the Crown Agents accounts are re-normal expansion of activities and

xm bound to say that the It seems fairly clear from this letterceived, but the result of the year's by an increase in the cost of living.

for recommendations

starting that so far as labour is concerned wurking as estimated by the Trea- it would go far to remove any op salaries appear to me generous: in the awards of the Commissioners surer sbowe, in place of the deficit, position to the proposed increase in particular I am surprised to learn will not find favour with the Europa surplus of $1,485,405;-revenue Taxation.

that in Hong Kong the cost of liv ean community of this Colony and showing a surplus of $940,850 and

ing is higher now than in 1920. the whole Report. But I may say expenditure being $8,066,105 below Lordship's authority, if possible by this and steps should be taken in I would accordingly request. Your The committee gives no evidence of at once that I cannot do otherwise the estimate. than accept the view embodied in When the Budget for 1930 was telegraph, to lay the recommenda- the course of the year to compare. paragraphs 21-23 of the Report introduced in September last, the tions of the Commission, as modified carefully the comparative cost, in that the wages now.paid by Govern- position had so far improved that a by the schedule herein, before the 1920 and 1929, with a view, if ment to its lowest regular servants deficit of only $379,568 was anti-Finance Committee of the Legisla Agures-warrant it, of withdrawing are inadequate and that amellora-cipated at the end of 1929; batreventive Council with a view to the ap- or diminishing the Cost of Living tion must begin from this level and this estimate proved unduly pessim-proval of a vote enabling me to put Allowance. I regret I can see no

fatic, and (as stated above) the year the new scheme into forte with grounds under existing arrenge Comparative Table. ended with a surplus of about effect from January 1, 1980, and atments for proposing that additional With regard to cost a comparative $1,485,405. We, therefore, start the the same time to proceed with my revenue should be relieved from as. table of the amounts payable under year 1930 with the sum of $1,864, proposals for raising additional resessment for Defence Contribu- the exlating regulations and under 778 more than we expected. As a venue.

tion. Regarding the salaries of the recommendations of the Report, result of this our assets on January

spread upwards.

In conclusion I invite Your Lord Audit and Marite Survey staffs I

We specialize in

BOX LUNCHES

PICNIC BASKETS

and all Launch Picnic

Parties.

HOTELS, LTD.

at exchange rates of $1-1/100, 1, 1980, are raised from the estima-ship's attention to paragraph 188 of shall address you later, but in the 1/9d. and 1/6d. respectively is enated figure of $7,712,266 to 39,577, the Report. I appreciate the Com-meantime you should proceed on closed. The Estimates for 1930 088 of which $8,041,863. are commissioners tribute to the work of the basis of the revised salaries' THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI were framed on the basis of an ex-sidered to be liquid. Speaking gen- the officera mentioned and venture scheme in their cakes. Gratuifles change of $11/104, and sterling erally, therefore, the financial post-to recommend for your approval the recommended in paragraph 18 ap salaries were calculated under tion of the Colony cannot be regard payment of the following bonuses proved. Pending the introduction

To Mr." W. J. Carrie Socre=““

of revised salaries, I agree to the existing regulations at the privileged as unsatisfactory,

tary

proposals in your telegram of To Miss V R. Harrison March 14 that the exchange com

ponsation scale should be extended

sixpence Despatch follows.

ed rate of $12 to the £1, plus a high Fall in Exchange.

$1,500

.600

The extra duty required of Mr.

COST OF LIVING.

cost of living allowance of 8-per Turning now to the estimates for Stenographer cent or 16 per cent. for unmarried 1980, I would first premiad that the To Mr. Un Ting-fan-Inter- down to exchange one shilling and and married officera respectively. unexpected fall in the exchange preter The total so payabk would have value of the dollar has upset our

75 been $8,931,095 and the first rough calculations both as regards, the Badan Singh was not of sufficient estimate of the cost of the revision salaries scheme and as regards magnitude to call for any bonus.. made at the time of the introduc-sterling expenditure on salaries and tion of the Budget, and calculated material. As however I remarked at the same rate of exchange showed above, I can hardly believe that the total increase of $1,300,000 dollar will remain at its present al- The estimate. has subsequently most unprecedented depreciation been revised and the cost of the and I look for some improvement In scheme at $11/100 18 now the course of the year. There is, estimated at $10.114,080 or an in moroover, ittle doubt that the crease of $1,182,984 over the sum savings which inevitably occur every voted in the 1980 estimates. Since year will more then, the value of the dollar has de-from the fall the clined in the most startling fashion

the

off1/67 d. from

only slightly reco

085

1980

used

A Surprise for Downing

StreetS

of March 35, 1980, itary of State to the nistering the Govern

January 22, (No.

THEATRE

A diamond merchant's traveller

ported to Scotland Yard the loss staying at a London hotel has re

of £10,000 worth of diamonds.

ROYAL

CHARITY CONCERT, SATURDAY, 26th INST,

IN AID OF

THE TIN KWOK SCHOOL & ORPHANAGE

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF SS HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTRATING THE GOVERNMENT & MRS W TSOUTHORN.

AndersonkMaster

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