CO129-504-9 Pensions of government officers- improvement of terms 11-3-1927 - 21-11-1927 — Page 14

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salary as reckoned for the calculation of pension, in order

that the pension may be calculated on a sum which more nearly

represents the actual value of an officer's emoluments than

the present regulations allow. After careful consideration

of different methods of attaining this object, I have decided

to recommend for your approval that officers entitled to free quarters or eligible for rent allowance be deemed to draw a

pensionable allowance equivalent to one sixth of the officers

salary (cf. Ceylon Pension Linute paragraph 9 (ii) ) up to a

maximum of £200. Os. Od. a year in the case of a sterling

salary and $2000 a year in the case of a dollar salary. The second amendment of the Regulations (now enclosed) is intended

to give effect to this proposal. It would apply to all

pensionable officers whether recruited in England or in Hong Kong. The adoption of the two suggestions embodied in this despatch would enable the two officers referred to in paragraph 2 above to retire at the age of 55, should they so

desire, on a pension of £1133. 6s. 8d. a year, a provision

which cannot be considered extravagant for the most senior

officers of the Cadet Service and one which would not be

increased by further service.

6.

a

If these suggestions are adopted the question

of the treatment of officers transferred to this Colony from other Colonies will arise, and I would suggest that such

officers should receive the benefit of the rule, service in other tropical Colonies being counted in the qualifying 25 years tropical service. The arrangement would be one-sided one for the present, but it is possible that other Colonies would reciprocate later, and I do not consider that it would be desirable to postpone action indefinitely while the assent

of