CO129-455 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [7-9] — Page 110

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TELEGRAM from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received Colonial Office 12.15 p.m., 28th July, 1919. )

Owing to hardship caused by very high price of rice would be glad if you will approve of the grant of the extra 10 per cent allowance to subordinate officers recommended in paragraph 20 my despatch 1st May confiden- tial as a temporary measure from the 1st August. With approval of unofficial members of legislative Council have granted allowance of 2 dollars per month to all Government employees drawing 20 dollars and under from July 1st until price of rice falls to reasonable figure, Government of Hong Kong is taking over distribution of rice from August 1st at fixed prices for three grades but ?even at. this price the alleviation suggested is most desirable large employers of labour in the Colony will probably adopt similar measures.

SEVERN.