CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 42

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willing to accord full value to the importance of the Treasurer's post. The extent to which that importance can be realized in practice must depend largely on the personality of the holder of the post.

Faragraph 3. It is proposed on the completion of the

Consus to appoint the officer who is in charge of that work, a Cadet Officer of sixteen years seniority and with previous experience in the Treasury, as an Assistant Treasurer.

Paragraph 4. This is the policy of Government.

Paragraph 5. The recommendation contained in this

paragraph is a matter which has as ardent advocates as it has

opponents. Admittedly last year with the drop in the value of the dollar Government would have gained had it fixed exchange. On the other hand when the dollar tends to rise the effect might easily be disadvantageous to the Colony. The Government as at present advised is not prepared to accept this recommendation of

the Commission,

Paragraph 6. It is difficult to see what would be gained

The liability for Widows' and

from adopting this suggestion.

Orphans' pensions is unlimited.

Any figure purporting to show

this liability would therefore be quite hypothetical.

Paragraph 7. Government shares the opinion of the Commissioners that the assessment of the Colony needs a thorough overhaul. The Assessor's branch of the Treasury is being specially strengthened for the purpose. The transfer to the

Assessor's Office of all valuation work for Government is

contemplated, as soon as the major resumption work in New Kowloon

is completed. This will not be until the end of next year at the carliest. It is not improbable that the staff will have to be further augmented later on.

Government also agrees that the

Assistant