CO129-455 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [7-9] — Page 278

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TELEGRAM from the Officer Administering

37

Government of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State

for the Colonies.

( Dated 29th August).

(Received Colonial Office 12.38 p.m. 30th August 1919).

With reference to your telegram 18th July

I have received the following memorial from the Civil Service other than Asiatic Clerical Service begins. A largely attended and fully representative meeting of the Civil Service urge strongly on pressing necessity for immediate salaries concession. Under Hong Kong methods of compensation the dollars comprised in salaries are now less than before the War notwithstanding 10% concession granted in 1918 all dollar charges have risen and many members are reduced to straits unseemly for such a Service. Credit has been strained and the outlook is very serious. Meeting strongly opposed to delay in awaiting arrival of Governor.

Any approved scheme brought by the Governor is not prejudiced by an

If on the other hand ?still immediate concession, have to? await enquiry by him necessary delay inevitably will bring many members to financial disaster. The service is deeply in earnest in pressing the necessity for immediate relief by cable ends. I find that there is in some cases serious

of extravagance financial embarrassment not the result

others of which I and considerable difficulty in was not aware when I sent my telegram 22nd July. I therefore strongly recommend the grant of 30 per cent increase during current financial year on sub- stantive salaries with exception of Governor and Colonial Secretary the 10 per cent bonus already

granted