CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9] — Page 71

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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(3)

69

would apply to Indians, but turning to the facts which can be elicited from Blue Books I find that out of a total of 43 pensioners who have died (I am speaking only of Indians) since pensions were first granted 7 lived to the age of 59, and 36 died below that age, while there are no less than 64 pensioners of 59 years and upwards still on the roll. That is to say 71 have reached that age against 36 who have died younger----- a proportion of nearly exactly two to one. I feel confident therefore that the Government need have no fear of pecuniary loss in instituting the proposed change, but would almost certainly be a considerable gainer.

With regard to (2). I do not think the change would be unacceptable to the men, or have any prejudicial effect upon recruiting. I believe that a man would much prefer the lump sum to the pension. He would use it to buy land or embark on some small business or otherwise contrive to get much better interest out of it than the Government can, indeed I should not be surprised if he could make it yield him 10%, in which case he would have as much to spend annually as at present and still have the capital sum to leave to his heirs. Men now in the service might be given the option of commuting and for men joining hereafter it should be as suggested compulsory.

(sd). F. J. Badeley. 6/8/01.

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(3) 69 would apply to Indians, but turning to the facts which can be elicited from Blue Books I find that out of a total of 43 pensioners who have died (I am speaking only of Indians) since pensions were first granted 7 lived to the age of 59, and 36 died below that age, while there are no less than 64 pensioners of 59 years and upwards still on the roll. That is to say 71 have reached that age against 36 who have died younger----- a proportion of nearly exactly two to one. I feel confident therefore that the Government need have no fear of pecuniary loss in instituting the proposed change, but would almost certainly be a considerable gainer. With regard to (2). I do not think the change would be unacceptable to the men, or have any prejudicial effect upon recruiting. I believe that a man would much prefer the lump sum to the pension. He would use it to buy land or embark on some small business or otherwise contrive to get much better interest out of it than the Government can, indeed I should not be surprised if he could make it yield him 10%, in which case he would have as much to spend annually as at present and still have the capital sum to leave to his heirs. Men now in the service might be given the option of commuting and for men joining hereafter it should be as suggested compulsory. (sd). F. J. Badeley. 6/8/01.
Baseline (Original)
1) (3) 69 would apply to Indians, but turning to the facts which can be elicited from Blue Books I find that out of a total of 43 pen- sioners who have died (I am speaking only of Indians) since pensions were first granted 7 lived to the age of 59, and 36 died below that age, while there are no less than 64 pensioners of 59 years and upwards still on the roll. That is to say 71 have reached that age against 36 who have died younger----- Q proportion of nearly exactly two to one. I feel confident therefore that the Government need have no fear of pecuniary loss in instituting the proposed change, but would almost certainly be a considerable gainer. With regard to (2). I do not think the change would be unacceptable to the men, or have any prejudicial- effect upon recruiting. I believe that a man would much prefer the lump sum to the pension. He would use it to buy land or embark on some small business or otherwise contrive to get much better interest out of it than the Government can, indeed I should not be surprised if he could make it yield him 10%, in which case he would have as much to spend annually as at present and still have the capital sum to leave to his heirs. Men now in the service might be given the option of commuting and for men joining hereafter it should be as suggested com- pulsory. t: (sd). F. J. Badeley. 6/8/01.
2026-05-31 20:08:34 · Baseline
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1)

(3)

69

would apply to Indians, but turning to the facts which can be

elicited from Blue Books I find that out of a total of 43 pen-

sioners who have died (I am speaking only of Indians) since

pensions were first granted 7 lived to the age of 59, and 36

died below that age, while there are no less than 64 pensioners

of 59 years and upwards still on the roll. That is to say 71

have reached that age against 36 who have died younger----- Q

proportion of nearly exactly two to one. I feel confident

therefore that the Government need have no fear of pecuniary

loss in instituting the proposed change, but would almost

certainly be a considerable gainer.

With regard to (2). I do not think the change

would be unacceptable to the men, or have any prejudicial-

effect upon recruiting. I believe that a man would much prefer

the lump sum to the pension. He would use it to buy land or

embark on some small business or otherwise contrive to get

much better interest out of it than the Government can, indeed

I should not be surprised if he could make it yield him 10%,

in which case he would have as much to spend annually as at

present and still have the capital sum to leave to his heirs.

Men now in the service might be given the option of commuting

and for men joining hereafter it should be as suggested com-

pulsory.

t:

(sd).

F. J. Badeley.

6/8/01.

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