226
18.
risen to 63, which figure was maintained at the end of 1935,
Notwithstanding the recommendations of the Retrenchment Commission that a reduction of 20% should be effected, the nett increase in the European staff since the report of that Commission
is 52. The increase has by no means been limited to European staffs. The Junior Clerical Service, which is largely Chinese,
stood in 1923 at a strength of 438. By 1931 the number had risen
to 693 and by 1935 the number was 730.
Here again there has been a substantial increase of staff
notwithstanding the Retrenchment Commission's recommendation that
a 20% reduction whould be effected.
It is of interest to compare the clerical staffs of various
departments in the years of 1923 and 1935. :-
Colonial Secretariat
Treasury
1923
1935
14
58
(Increase of 13 Europeans and 31 non-Europeans.)
35
65
(Revenue increased from $24,783,763 to estimated $28,328,034).
Harbour Department
23
40
Fire Brigade
9
18
Police Department
73
130
Medical Department
11
41
Sanitary Department
46
72
46
119
Public Works Department
From the foregoing figures it will be seen that the clerical
staffs have increased enormously during the past twelve years and
that the recommendations of the Retrenchment Commission have
failed to bring about the desired reduction.
Similar expansion has occurred in branches of the service
outside of the clerical staff.
In this expansion the Unofficial Members of Council have
tacitly acquiesced.
Your Petitioners feel that substantial reductions in staff
could be made without impairing the effectiveness of the service
and that such reduction in the cost of salaries would thereby
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.