CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8] — Page 451

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estimated at 25.

3.

I observe that both Sir Everard Fraser and the

Foreign Office consider that the remuneration of the staff of the

small registry at Shanghai should be measured by the estimated cost

to the Colonial Government of maintaining a registry at Shanghai. I

venture with respect to differ from this view. It is true that this Government having now, since the Post Office has been handed over to the Imperial Authorities, no officer in its employment at Shanghai would put to considerable and wasteful expense if it were obliged to establish a branch registry of companies at Shanghai, for it would have to pay for the whole time of an officer who would only be occupied for a very brief period of the day. The true criterion, I submit, of the remuneration to be paid is the

market value of the work to be done, and I would suggest that if

it is desired to keep the work entirely in the hands of the

Consular Staff then an allowance of £150 per annum to whoever is appointed Registrar, with £50 per annum to a Clerk and £100 per annum to the Crown Advocate for legal assistance is very ample

remuneration.

4.

I trust therefore that on reconsideration the

reasonableness of the offer made by the Colonial Government will

be recognised.

I may add that I am prepared if it is so desired to send, without charge, an officer of the Supreme Court, who has acted as Registrar of Companies, to Shanghai for a month to instruct the staff there how to inaugurate and work the registry.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Herna

Governor, &c..