CO129-439 - Others - 1916 — Page 576

1.

Mr. Harris

Flease see marked paragraph of last enclosure.

It may be assumed that Mr. Cooper, in accepting this purely temporary appt., did not realize that during

the period of such employment he would not be earn-

ing Imperial pension.

We can hardly go so far as to say, without

reference to Hong Kong, that if he serves for a year

in the Colony he will be eligible for a pension from

Hong Kong in respect of that year, but we can put the

point to the Governor.

? So inform G.F.O.,sending copy of 46940, but

say that, in the absence of any undertaking which may

be given to Mr. Cooper by the Col. Govt., any pension

awarded to him would be calculated under the local

pensions regulations.

? and send copy corres. to Hong Kong for consn.,

with reference to 45940.

Nov. 2, 1916,

I am not quite satisfied that the General Post Orice are right. ur Cooper is still in the Army, and

it is a mere incident that he is allowed to take

temporary work in Hong Yong. If he is to be considered as merely on leave from the Army I do not think his

pension rights from Imperial

At the same time, it is

unds ought to be affected.

quite fair that Hong Kong

should be asked to award him pension for a period of

service which has been given to suit their convenience.

A put the matter to the General Post Office as

the draft annexed.

Catt

4. Now de

Э

? Marine Gov

Me Robinson

we.

Siil him another

Addrass reply to "The Secretary, General Post Ofes,”

quoting Registered No.

187727.

उ BE

571

GENERAL POST OFFICE, LONDON.

October, 1916.

51590

REC Rent 280CT 16

sir,

I am directed by the Postmaster General to enclose,

for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a letter and enclosures from the War Office regarding the temporary employment in the Hong Kong Post Office of Mr. J. H. Cooper, a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist in this Department serving with the 4th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

Mr. Cooper's temporary service in the Hong Kong Post Office cannot be counted for Civil pension from. the Home Post Office funds; but as his temporary service may possibly be prolonged, the Postmaster General would be glad to know whether the Colony propose to recognise this service as pensionable with a view to the calculation of his final pension on his combined Home

and Colonial service.

The Under Secretary of State,

COLONIAL OFFICE.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Maven