CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7] — Page 99

MINUTES.

MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.

No 69-

Bir,

I c.c.

16515

APMET

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 29th February, 1924.

96

For

20

With reference to Lord Milner's telegram of

the 18th May, 1920, I have the honour to inform you that 22855 the period of five years during which officers of the Civil

Service in this Colony were granted free passages will

expire on the 31st December next. The concession was

granted subject to the Secretary of State having a free

hand to modify it or withdraw it at the end of five years, if the financial situation of the Colony required it, or

if for other reasons he thought fit to do so. As officers

due for leave of absence next year will be anxious to know

at the earliest possible date their position with regard to

the cost of passages, I think it is desirable that a decision as to whether the privilege of free passages is

to be continued or not should be arrived at as soon as

possible.

2.

The financial situation certainly admits

of the continuance of the concession, which has been a

great boon to the service generally. In fact had it not

been for the existence of this privilege many married

officers would have been unable to take the leave for which

they were eligible without running into debt. The officers

of the various departments of Government have performed their duties during a period of considerable stress in a

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

J. H. THOMAS, M.P..

*C..

&c.

&C.,

highly

!