Sinoc Malayan Governments have not hitherto committed theuselves publicly they are not in the same position and consequently are better placed to resist the demand, but see observatione in the following paragraphs.
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6. In your telegram No. 1442 addressed Governor Malayan Union you stipulated that the publication of Malayan Report should be conditional upon the issue of a published statement making it "absolutely clear" that H.M.G. is in no way committed to the recommendation in favour of 1st August in respect of Malayan salaries.
If at the same time (see Hong Kong telegram No.1779 to you) Hong Kong announces that much earlier date of 1st October, 1946 or 1st January, 1947, has been approved by the S. of S. for Hong Kong, we may expect very considerable criticism in Malayan Service.
7.
Proposals of interim Report of Joint Wages Commission for daily paid personnel were approved in Malaya with effect from 1st August. Pan-Malayan Council of Government Workers has now written accepting that award but claiming its application from 1st January, 1947. Ou? recommendation of 1st August for Trusted proposals is based on the date adopted for the Wages Report, which necessarily involves considerable numbers of salaried (that is monthly paid) personnel. Announcement in Hong Kong of
3. or s'a approval of 1st January, 1947, or earlier date will be immediately seized upon by P.M.C.G.W. here as well as salaried officers, especially if emphasis is to be expressly laid on H.M.G. being entirely uncommitted by recommendations from both Governments here in favour of ante-dating to 1st August.
8.
Both Governors are of the opinion that first reaction amongst public service in Malaya when it knows of the Hong Kong proposals will be considerable agitation for revision of proposals embodied in Trusted Report. If in statement issued by Governments, attitude to Report indicates that there will be delay in bringing Trusted proposals into operation, then this agitation might give rise to very serious discqntent, the consequences of which might be difficult to foresee. In these circumstances, Governors of Malayan Union and Singapore do not propose to publish Report today but to defer until Saturday 29th November in hope or obtaining your very early approval to simultaneous publication of statement as follows. Begins:-
9.
The Report of Malayan Public Services Salaries Commission is published today for general information. As previously announced, the Governments of Malayan Union and Singapore are actively considering the Report with a view to making their recommendations to the S. of S. who will consider such recommendations in relation to financial position of Malayan Union and singapore. : Publication of Report does not of course imply acceptence by local Governments or H.M.G. of Commission's proposals. It is, however, the intention of the Government to recommend to the S. of 3. that whatever revision of salaries and other conditions of service is approved it should have effect from 1st August, 1947. Endo.
Reference final paragraph in your telegram to Governor of Malayan Union repeated to me as No. 673 of 20th November, action proposed in Malaya should not give rise to serious difficulties in Bomes Territorie. Have consulted Governmente concerned the 30
reply yet received.
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Dr. D.R. Sarpell, 0.B.E. Mr. H.R. Apperley.
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