CO129-599-1 Salaries Commission 8-12-1947 - 22-12-1947 — Page 369

be made after the first review, which should not be

later than 1st July, 1948. I consider that reviews

should be made quarterly thereafter until suitable

permanent machinery is set up. This should be done

at earliest possible date. If you consider it desirable

to do so you will no doubt insert a warning on this

point in the announcement.

4.

Expatriation pay is prima facie a matter in

which uniformity should be secured as far as possible

between the several Far Eastern territories, since it

represents basically the inducement necessary to

attract officers from outside. I appreciate that

political implications need to be taken into account

but I nevertheless wish to give further consideration

from aspect of general principle.

5.

and I note that difference between actual rates proposed

by the two Commissions is not substantial,

You will see that proposed announcement

includes reference to early publication of report.

This seems to me desirable to forestall inevitable

enquiries, and indeed it would be difficult to justify

further delay. I am telegraphing to you separately

regarding publication with reference to your confidential

despatch No.266.

6.

As regards retrospective application, I under-

stand that when recommending 1 January 1947 Commission

was aware of assurances mentioned in paragraph 16

of your confidential despatch No.215, though not of

their precise terms. I feel, however, that in

present financial circumstances of Hong Kong the

earlier date you urge, namely 1 October 1946, could

not be justified even on grounds put forward in

your despatch. It is also pointed out that

1 October 1946 would not in any case meet the

assurance given to the Fire Brigade floating staff

which seems to have promised unconditionally

retrospective application to 23 July. In these

circumstances I consider that date recommended by

(127)

(67)

Commission,