CO129-524-1 Reports of Salaries Commission 31-12-1929 - 27-10-1930 — Page 100

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of an increase of pay in either sterling or dollars for the

reasons already given, we hold the view that in regard to the

conversion of sterling salaries the present basis and method

appear to be the most practicable and equitable in application,

having particular regard to the violent fluctuations in exchange

recently experienced and liable to be repeated at any time, This,

ve consider, is amply illustrated in the example given on page

4*

of this Report. The effect of the existing exchange conversion

arrangements in some respects conforms with a popular method of

converting sterling in commercial and industrial undertakings,

where employees on a sterling basis are paid half their salary

at a fixed rate (e.g., 2/-) and the other half at the current

rate, thus dividing the burden of exchange loss between the

employer and the employed. We refer to conditions such as the

present, when the rate is under 1/9, below which rate Government

employees are not compensated.

We agree with the opinion of the Labour Advisory Board

that increasing the remuneration of a particular group of un skilled labourers and artisans would have a very far reaching

effect on the general level of such wages in the Colony, and in

view of the present condition of trade and industry would be

highly undesirable and unnecessary.

The proposals of the Commission would, in consequence of the fall of the dollar, involve much greater demands upon the

financial resources of the Colony than would be the case had

exchange remained at the level which prevailed when the Report

was drawn up. The present appears to be a time for practising

economy rather than for increasing public expenditure.

We have carefully noted the allusions in various paragraphs

of the Report to difficulties which it is stated some Government

employees have in maintaining themselves, their families and

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