CO129-558-3 Levy on Salaries- petition from Chinese Civil Servants 3-1-1936 - 19-12-1936 — Page 36

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o mechably

effective form of A

petitioners' apparent suggestion that retrenchment

of individual members of the Service would be a

fair alternative to

haring

e the burden throughout

the Service by means of a moderate salary cut all

round is not to my mind creditable to them.

The decision to impose a salary levy was

very deliberately taken over the last few months

of 1935 as the financial crisis began to take shape,

and I think the reply to the petitioners can only

be that the S. of S. has received and carefully

considered their representations, but he is not

prepared to give the direction for which they ask

in the last paragraph of their memorial. It might

be added that whatever further measures may be

decided upon to improve the financial position of

the Colony, the S. of S. was unable to avoid the

conclusion that the immediate step in relation to

the salaries of Government Officers was urgent and

able could he justified and that the retrenchment of

establishments provided no alternative as a practical

relief, nor in his opinion would such a course comply

in the Puble Service crifice and

with the principle of equality of sacrifice);

in conclusion the S. of S. might express a hope

that the period of operation of levy on the

salaries in the public service may be strictly

limited if the currency and general financial and

economic situation permits.

Su Mant.

14

I think this imjit be put rather

for the Governor's

more strongly for

information

not of course for