State for the Colonies regarding the further grant of exchange compensation to Civil servants of this Colony, subject to approval of the Legislative Council, be approved by this Council." I am quite of the same opinion as the senior unofficial member of the Council. I certainly think that in the third port of the world we should not pay our Civil servants in any worse manner than they are paid in Singapore, considering that this Colony of Hongkong is the chief port of call for all vessels coming East or going West: and we expect, and have a right to expect, that all our Civil servants should discharge their duties in a faithful manner corresponding to the importance of this Colony. And while we expect faithful and long service from our Civil servants, we certainly should pay them sufficiently for their faithful work. Singapore, I believe, although it is a larger place than Hongkong is in prosperity, in trade, and in everything else, far behind Hongkong, and I believe the duties there of the Civil servants are not anything like so hard and important as we have for them here. So that in sanctioning this further grant in exchange compensation, we are doing nothing but justice to our Civil servants, and I for one, as representing the Chinese, numerous large tax-payers in the Colony, am quite of the opinion that their compensation should be increased. There is a further inducement, I think, in this way, that while they are on active service here they get the full compensation, and in their absence on leave they do not have any such advantage, so that there would be an inducement to work harder here and not go home on half-pay leave so frequently. We at all events, as colonists and inhabitants, get good service for the rate of pay. I propose this resolution just to test the opinion of my unofficial colleagues, and I am quite ready to discuss the question; I only put this out as a feeler, so that we may all see what opinion will be expressed and whether we are unanimous in sanctioning this decision of the Secretary of State.
Hon. J. J. Bell Irving-I have much pleasure in seconding the proposition put before the Council. I heartily agree with what Dr. Ho Kai has said.
Hon. Wei A Yuk-I beg to concur with all Dr. Ho Kai has said.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead-I would certainly have seconded the proposal and my sympathies are entirely with the Civil servants. But, sir, I would like if this motion could be postponed until next meeting of the Council with the view of having an opportunity of going into the matter. This is the first, practically, I have heard of the motion.
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State for the Colonies regarding the further grant of exchange compensation to Civil the servants of this Colony, subject to approval of the Legislative Council, be app:oved by this Council." I am quite of the same opinion as the senior unofficial member of the Council. I certainly think that in the third port of the world we should not pay our Civil servants in any worse mai ner than they are paid in Singapore, considering that this Colony of Hongkong is the chief port of call for all vessels coming East or going West: aud we expect, and have a right to expect, that all our Civil servants should discharge their duties in a faithful manner ponding to the importance of this Colony. And while we expect faithful and long service from our Civil servants, we tainly should pay them sufficiently for their faithful work. Singapore. I believe, although it is a larger place than Hongkong is in prosperity, in trade, and i everything else, far behind Hongkong, and I believe the duties there of the Civil servants are not anything like so hard and important as we have for thei here. So that in sanctioning this further grant in exchange compensation, we are doing nothing but justice to our Civil servants, and I for one, as representing the Chinese, numerous large tax-payers in the Colony, am quite of the opinion that their compensation should be increased, There is a further inducement. I think, in this way, that while they are on active service here they get the full compensation, and in their absence on leave they do not have any such advantage, so that there would be an inducement to work harder here and not go home on half- pay leave so frequently. We at all events, as colonists and inhabitants, get good service for the rate of pay. I propose this resolution just to the the opinion of my unofficial colleagu n and I am quite ready to discuss the questionos; I only put this out as a feeler, so that we may all see what opinion will be expressed and whether we are unanimous in sanctioning this decision of the Secretary of State,
Hon. J. J. BELL IRVING-I have much pleasure in seconding the proposition put before the Council. I heartily agree with what Dr. Ko Kai has said.
HO. WEI A YUK-I beg to concur with all Dr. Ho Kai has said.
Hoa T. H. WHITEHEAD-] would certainly have seconded the proposal and my sympathies are entirely with the Civil sorvants, But, sir, I would like if this motion could be postponed until next meeting of the Council with the view of having an opportunty of going into the matter. This is the first, practically, I have heard of the motion.
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