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power of the Hong Kong Dollar out cost of living has
greatly risen as being foreigners we have had to depend on
imported articles. Furthermore we desire to point out that
as our homes are in India it is necessary for us to send
remittances to our families and dependants there regularly.
The low exchange has decreased the value of our remittances
considerably. Hence though we have been steadfast in our
loyalty and service to the Crown yet the remuneration for
our labours has through the vagaries of exchange been
reduced in value. The increased cost of living prevailing
at the present time has affected the Civil Service as a whole
and the Indian members thereof in particular; because, as
foreigners, they do not draw their emoluments in the
currency of their own country.
4. We beg to bring to Government's notice that
our pensions average from 10 to 20 dollars a month only. When we retire to India on pension after 15 to 20 years'
service in the Colony we will not be able to perform any
manual work to enable us to earn money for our existence.
Our pension is all that we have to look to for support. If this pension of $10 to $20 a month is calculated at the present rate of exchange of approximately Rupees 80 to $100 it will become Rupees 8 to Rupees 16 per month as compared to the former value of Rupees 11 to 22% per month.
It is obvious that it is impossible for anybody to support himself and his family and dependants with Rupees 8 to Rupees 16 per month. The majority of our officers are invalided out of the service before attaining pensionable
age and we beg to submit some cases.
In 1937 2 Indian Officers retired on pension after attaining pensionable age as against 9 Indian Officers invalided out.
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