Aries paid elsewhere in the Colonial service having due regard to the cost of living in Hong Kong, I am not satisfied that the existing rates of pay can be regarded as insufficient. Moreover, since Mr May's despatch was written, it has been decided that sterling salaries shall in future be paid at the rate of 2/- to the dollar, with the result that a considerable addition has been made to the emoluments of all officers in Hong Kong, and in these circumstances I am not prepared to consent to a further increase.
Mr May adduces figures to show that the prospects of officers in Hong Kong compare unfavourably with those of their colleagues in the Straits Settlements. If, however, any such comparison is to be made, it should be not between the service of Hong Kong and that of the Straits Settlements but between the service of Hong Kong and that of the Straits Settlements and the F.M.S taken together. A comparison on that basis shows that the prospects of Hong Kong compare rather favourably than otherwise with those of officers in the Malay Peninsula, but I will not labour the point as I regard any such comparisons as inadmissible.
The services of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the F.M.S. are not distinct services but branches of one amalgamated service, officers appointed to any one branch being appointed on the clear understanding that they may be transferred to either of the other branches. Therefore, in considering an officer's prospects, it is necessary to look not only to those appointments which are open to him in the place in which he happens to be serving but to the opportunities for promotion afforded by the service of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and the F.M.S as a whole.
I have &c.
Page 704
:
aries paid elsewhere in the Colonial service
hammy
fald i due regard to the cost of living
A
in Hong Kong, I am not satisfied that the existing rates of pay can be regarded as
insufficient. Moreover, since Mr May's
desp was written it has been decided that
sterling salaries shall in future be paid at the rate of 2/- to the dollar, with the result
that a considerable addition has been made
to the emoluments of all officers in Hong
Kong, and in these circumstances I am not
prepared to consent to al further increase.
3 Mr May adduces figures to shew that the
prospects of officers in HongKong compare
unfavourable with those of their colleagues in the Straits Settlements. If, however, any
such comparison is to be made it should be
not between the service of HongKong and
that of the Sts Setts but between the service of Hong Kong and that of the Straits Setts ad the F.M.S taken together. A comparison on that basis shows that the prospects of Hong Kong/ff/ffthør compare rather favourably
}
than otherwise with those of officers in
the Malay Peninsula but I will not labour
the point as I regard any such comparisons
as inadmissible. The services of HongKong, +
the Sts Setts and the F.M.S. are not dist-
inct services but branches of one amalgam-
ated service, officers appointed to any
one branch being appointed on the clear unde-
standing that they may be transferred to
either of the other branches. Therefore,
in considering an officer's prospects it
is necessary to look not only to those
appointments which are open to him in the
place in which he happens to be serving but to the opportunities for promotion afforded by the service of Hong Kong
the Sts Setts and the F.M.S as a whole.
I have &c.
704
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.