CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 91

SENIOR CLERICAL & ACCOUNTING STAFF REPORT.

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The Commissioners recommend that there be a reduction of

twenty per cent in the various approved classes on the

Establishment. This figure has already been recommended for the

Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff of the Colonial Secretary's

Office.

2.

Sufficient attention does not appear to have been paid

to the recruitment of this staff, which leaves much to be

desired, as is evidenced by the recent dismissal of two officers

from it. Unless men are already thoroughly trained in clerical

or accounting work and of good character they should not be

engaged locally. There may be an apparent saving in the cost

of passage out from England in the first instance, but this is

more than offset by the extra expense which naturally falls on

Government when it employs inefficient officers. Recruitment

should be through the Crown Agents, who have years of

experience and who have a far wider field of selection, than

has the local Government. In making the foregoing recomenda-

tion the Commissioners appreciate the fact that there are some

very efficient officers in the Senior Clerical and Accounting

Staff who have been engaged locally.

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It should be possible to effect an econorry in

Stenographers by employing one officer half time in two

different departments. It is only in the largest departments

that there is sufficient work to keep a stenographer

continuously occupied. Stenographers should only be allowed

to departments where it is shown that a Chinese typist

would not be competent or suitable for the work required.