CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5] — Page 546

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and I would ask for your sanction to make advances up to this sum, to be repaid with interest at the rate of six per cent per annum

circums by such instalments as I may direct having regard to the

-tances of the borrower.

3.

At the same time in order to protect the members of the subordinate service from the results of their improvidence I would ask for your approval to the enactment of a law on the lines of the Federated Malay States "Public Servants (Liabilities) Enactment, 1897" which I am informed is still in force. The only change I propose to make is to raise the salary of the officers to be protected in Section 3(ii) from 8150 to $200 a month. The salaries paid to subordinate officers have been raised during the last few years, and the effect of the law would be considerably reduced if officers in receipt of salaries between $150 and $200 a month were not included.

4.

In the course of my enquiries I found that a similar law in the Straits Settlements (Ordinance No. 13 of 1889) had been repealed in 1906 and I enclose a copy of a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Singapore, giving the reasons which lead to its repeal. I am not in a position to judge whether the dif- -ficulties indicated in this letter were really widespread and counterbalanced the obvious advantages of such a law, but I am of opinion that the legislation should be given a trial in this Colony where the Northern Indian Money Lender is of a peculiarly

rapacious type.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Governor,&c..