CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9] — Page 446

Sonclosure 2

COPY.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Hongkong.

sir,

435

Victoria Buildings, Hongkong

21st.

June,

1917.

With reference to the Confidential Circular

of the 12th instant on the subject of a proposed scheme of rent allowances, I have the honour to report that at a meeting of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils held yesterday the subject was gone into very carefully and thoroughly. The scheme would benefit a certain number of married European officers on the senior permanent staff.

and

We agree that relief is called for by the enhanced cost of living in Hongkong during recent years; but we consider that the standard of pay ought to be based upon the appointment held and dutica performed by the officer8, not upon his primate domestic obligations. We therefore recommend that, while some such increase as proposed in the scheme should be made, it should extend to all senior European officers not already housed by Government, irrespective of whether they are married or single, and irrespective of the actual rent of the houses they may choose to live in; that is to say, rent allowances might be granted on a scale ranging downwards from a maximum of say $140 a month, and graduated pro rata according to salary.

This however we contemplate ae merely a temporary measure; being of opinion that, so soon as times are opportune for placing the matter before the Secretary of State, the general question of pay should be reconsidered, and the complications of privileged exorange and allowances removed as far as practicable.