CO129-456 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1919 [10-12] — Page 371

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On the whole I think we can accept Sir E. Stubbs' proposal on this point, though without any special enthusiasm, But it must be made quite clear to persons taking the new dollar salaries that in no circumstances will they be entitled to payment of their salary in dollare except when on vacation leave in China and Japan: also that pensions will be

fixed in sterling.

See

any to the AEC

I have queried Japan because it is a gold standard country, and Sir E.Stubbs' proposal amounts to giving a substantial premium on spending holidays in Japan. There are advantages about Hong Kong officers having an acquaintance with Japan, but I feel considerable doubts whether we ought not to leave Japan out of it.

looked the

B. Leave Conditions.

As Sir E.Stubbs says the Commission over-

commutation" business.

The Straits Commission said that the Hong Kong system seemed to many officers preferable to the scheme which at present prevails in Malaya (2 months' full pay for each completed year of service).

The Hong Kong Commission recommended nine months' full pay leave 'as of right' once in every fifth year.

(I agree with Sir E.Stubbs that leave 'as of right' is not practicable, in Hong Kong at any rate). The present system gives eight months' full pay leave after five years' service but permits ten if accumulated long enough (1.e. after seven or more years).

Sir E.Stubbe proposes to let vacation leavÉ be accumulated, and commuted leave to be taken on

top of it.

I think this is too generous a system.

I would approve his proposal as to casual

Brake it subject to the offiur hair permission of the lösfond bi bi

in Japan.

4.9.

4.4.

leave: but otherwise give him the choice between

the Straits system (the Hong Kong maximum being kept

at ten months instead of eight) and the present system.

C.

Passages.

The Commission propose free passages for

Europeans and families and also for Indians born in

India.

The Governor recommends that not less

should be granted than in Ceylon and Malaya;

subject

to this he makes detailed proposals in paragraph 4, involving the grant of free return passages to married

men (and families up to 5 persons in all) on salaries

up to $12,000 and to bachelors up to $6000.

For Malaya

-

see p.153 of Salaries

Commission Report. The grant has been continued for

5 years,

The difference from Sir E.Stubbs' other

proposals is that there is no top limit: that 4

years is the minimum service, not 4.

We had better tell Sir E.Stubbs what has

been done in Malaya and ask what he proposes in view

of this: and say the Secretary of State must limit

period of concession as in Straits Settlements and

Malay States.

D. House Allowances.

Sir E.Stubba proposes that where quarters

are provided by Government a deduction of 6% of salary

should be made, except where free quarters are

definitely assigned. This is the Ceylon system and

apparently works satisfactorily there, and we have

suggested it to Malaya. I would approve. When

quarters are not (as yet) provided Sir E.Stubbs

submits three proposals with a preference for (1).

Proposal.

leave