CO129-483 - Others & Individuals - 1923 — Page 546

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THE THIRD PARAGRAPH OF YOUR LETTER.

bag (2225/19 Lord Milner's despatches to Hong Kong:-

For 59615/22 55.

The despatch No. 132 to Hong Kong )

1.

2.

No. 132 dated 23rd. April 1920, and No. 10 dated 11th. January 1921;

The despatch from Straits Settlements No. 655

dated 4th. November 1922; and

The Secretary of State's rèply No. 209 dated 9th.

May 1923.

I discuss this despatch in my observations (Section 17 infra) upon paragraph 5 of your letter.

Paragraph 3 (a). It is expedient more precisely to define the limitation implied in the use of the words "existing pensions" in this paragraph, since "existing pensions" might be assumed to imply "pensions" at present recorded in the Registers of the Schemes, thus involving both "current" and "prospective" pensions. A survey of the two despatches (Nos. 132&10 ) when placed in close juxtaposition as constituting a con- tinuous statement, makes it clear, from the expressions employed 1.e."all pensions (whether already granted or in reversion) -paragraph 8 of No.132-, "existing pen- sions" -paragraph 3(a) of No. 10-], that "existing "pensione" here means pensions actually in course of payment 1.e. those termed "current pensions" in

The terms should be my introductory definitions, weighed in their recognised sensea. "Existing pen- sions" applied to pensions which exist, i.e. to current pensions, and are thus distinguished from prospective pensions which do not exist as pensions (though registered in the Books) unless and until the contingency occur upon which they depend. For prospective pensions are, in nature, simply Contracts for future pensions which only become

pensions" if a wife or child survive.

-

Surveying the whole of the despatches from the colonial Ofiice, it is manifest to me that unity of conception and maning upon this point has prevailed throughout.

The concession "that no existing pen- sions would be altered" is entirely in favour of the beneficiaries, since any improvement in the experienced rate of mortality should rightly be accompanied by a rediction in the annual pensions payable.

It may be incidentally remarked that prospective pensions would justly be increased on the basis of an ascertained and definite general improve- ment in the mortality prevailing among males and females: I should here explain that a general improve- ment in mortality in its effect as expressed in an enhanced longevity of husbands will involve the finan- cial advantage of an enlarged average period of con- tribution, combined with a longer deferment of the

poch of pension-claim, while, on the other hand, a corresponding improved longevity of the females will, to a larger or smaller extent, neutralize this advan- tage by reason of the more prolonged period during which the widows will survive to receive the pensiona.