CO129-558-4 Hong Kong Government Service (Levy on Salaries) Ordinance 1936 24-4-1936 - 17-7-1936 — Page 13

102

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

levies but he could hardly expect an incoming Governor (even now I have been here only just over four months) to precipitate a substantive reduction of salaries which were fixed as the result of a Public Commission only seven years ago. I remember saying in answer to the Address of Welcome that greeted me on arrival here that I should take time to learn my job and I am finding it an even harder lesson than I then contemplated. I regret therefore that I must refuse to be hurried on important matters and the proper remuneration of the public service is a very important matter. Mr. Lo claims that his proposal for a permanent cut of 5 per cent. has at least the merit of being an attempt to deal seriously with the problem. I can assure him that the measure now before this Council reflects no lack of seriousness on the part of myself or my advisers. It is admittedly a piece of temporising because the occasion impera- tively called for a reduction of the anticipated deficit on our current budget. I do not predicate perfection of this Bill; I do not deceive myself into fancying that it will cause no hardship; but I do believe that it is a reasonable temporisation and one that will not cause hardship which is incommensurate with the deprivations and losses in which economic conditions have involved people in every walk of life outside the Government Service.

In this belief I ask members to vote for the Bill and to allow the question of permanent alterations and adjustments to be considered with due care and without haste in the light of the communication regarding African rates of pay that has just been received from the Secretary of State. (Applause).

Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by

clause.

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.

12