CO129-511-6 Salaries and conditions of service of government staff 27-4-1928 - 2-11-1928 — Page 15

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to make ends meet not to speak of the provision of

some little comforts for themselves and their

dependants, and to keep together the members of their

household who, by reason of a higher living standard, demand and expect to receive higher wages.

5.

High house rents on the whole show no

signs of abatement, s evidenced in the recent rise in

the Government assessment. And if, added to

disproportionate high rentals and servants' wages,

the recent increase in school fees is taken into

consideration, it will be seen that the burden which

Government servants in receipt of small pay are called

upon to bear is reaching the breaking point.

6. It is not our purpose to male invidious

comparisons between salaries of the clerical branch

of the Government service and those più in the

Banking and Commercial houses. Suffice it to state that public comp nies and business firms in Hong Kong aré making it a practice to establish Provident

Funds for employees' benefit. In the Chinese Customs and Chinese Postal Administration bonuses are paid

equivalent to one year's salary for every 7 years'

service in addition to Pension money paid in lump

sums on retirement.

7.

Advancement for the Clerical Staff of

the Government service is painfully slow; their

ennusl increments are graduated and are small.

Promotion generally is governed by length of service,

and not as a reward of merit.

8.

From a recent official announcement in the

local