CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12] — Page 328

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gations made at the time of the general re-adjustment of Suda -

ries in 1891, and it was then found that between the years

1874 and 1891 the cost of native produce had increased some

75 per cent in the Straits Settlements and Hongkong,

4. In spite of the enormous increase in the

cost of living evidenced by the tables referred to, I cannot

recommend that the prayer of the petitioners be entertained,

because the increase would in that case be one of 57.60 per

cent on their salaries, and the average increase in the cost

of the articles enumerated in enclosures A, B, and C (the Po-

lice do not deal with Messrs. Lane Crawford & Co.) is 57.93 per

cent only.

5. On the other hand the increase in salary

which the Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies was

pleased to offer recently to the Police (viz., half pay in

the Colony at 5 shillings) amounts to an increase of 20.92

per cent only at to-day's market rate of 2/1 per dollar,

and would seem to be inadequate to compensate the men for

an increase in the cost of what may be regarded as the neces-

saries of life of nearly 58 per cent.

6. I have therefore to submit for serious con-

sideration whether in view of the figures (for the accuracy of which I can vouch) shown in the enclosures to the memo –

rial, the members of the European Force should not in jus-

tice be granted compensation by the payment of half their salaries in the Colony at 3/4 to the dollar. This would at to-day's rate be equivalent to an increase of 28.80 per cent