CO129-561-10 Estimates 1938 2-9-1937 - 23-9-1938 — Page 328

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him for his past services, and our hope that he will long enjoy the rest he has earned.

I should like on my own behalf to thank the staff of the Colonial Secretariat for their assistance in the preparation of these Estimates and in particular Mr. Clarke who has had to add this work to a day already sufficiently full. Normally the Colonial Secretary has four assistants, but this year we have been one short all through the summer, and this has thrown on the remainder, and on Mr. Davies, а great deal of additional work. The troubles in China too have not made things easier. I hope therefore that, if you

find any sins of omission or commission, you will remember

these difficulties and look on them leniently.

I now move the first reading of the Bill.

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