telegram is essential.
355
₤156,25
Para
5.
Proposed modification in high cost of living allowance referred to in my telegram No.1784 is as follows:-
That monthly paid staff drawing revised basic salary of under (H.K.)100 should receive rehabilitation allowance at current rate less (H.K.)15 and that officers drawing revised basic salary of (H.K.)100 per mensem up to (H.K.)149 per mensem should receive current rehabilitation allowance in full.
(26
? existing
Such staff would of course cease to draw this high cost of living allowance and temporary additional allowance.. This modification is estimated to increase present annual cost of Commission's proposals by approximately $2,500,000, but public faith has already been pledged in Settlement, agreed to not only by this Government but also by European employers of labour, including Naval Dockyard, as a result of Chinese Engineering Institute strike last August, which took place after Commission's Report had been submitted. Commission itself agreed shortly after Report was presented that modification of recommendations in paragraphs 189 to 191 of Report was essential. Detailed statement showing total emoluments of daily paid workers throughout the Colony (?and omitted) of comparable Government staff on monthly rate of pay under Commission's original recommendations and under modifications proposed above follows Į by airmail. I should be grateful if these proposals may
receive most urgent consideration. Publication of Commission's recommendations as they stand without any indication of proposed amendments would lead to strike.
6,
In absence of further information as to level above which you consider Commission's proposed high cost of living allowance for higher grades may require modification, it is difficult for me to comment, but I urge most strongly that whem announcement is made I should at least be in a position to say that Commission's recommendations for high cost of living allowance (subject to modifications proposed in paragraph 5) have been accepted as they stand for revised basic salaries up to £(sterling)1,500 per annum although rates of allowances for officers on basic salaries over £(sterling) 1,500 per annum are still under discussion. While announcement in these terms with addition that expatriation allowance of approximately 20% of basic salary has been approved, would in some measure allay dissatisfaction, prospect of further three months delay before implementation could be expected might well result in situation getting out of hand. Applications from several sections of public service for advances against arrears of salary have already been received but so far I have deferred any reply as I consider that negative one might precipitate trouble. I therefore earnestly hope that it will be possible to dispense with further detailed examination of scale in London and that (?only) adjustments of minor nature will be considered. If implementation cannot be expedited, some system of general advance will be necessary in order to hold the situation, and in this connection I should be grateful for confirmation that I would be correct in
(143-145) assuming from your telegram No.1,877 that, apart from time
scale, you have accepted in toto basic salary recommendations for remainder of service, and that you have no objection to
/their
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