CO129-615-1 Labour Department- future development 13-6-1946 - 11-11-1947 — Page 13

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with other candidates for any suitable vacancy on the expiry of his present work here.

I shall be grateful for a telegraphic reply to this despatch in order that I may inform Mr. Baker in good time of the proposals for his future employment."

Mr. Baker has done a very good job in Mauritius and I think the time has come to consider him for a permanent post in a Colonial Labour Department. I feel that he would do well as a Labour Officer (Trade Unionist) in Hong Kong under Mr. Hawkins, who is full of good sense. Mr. Baker was 40 last July.

CA Gro

25. 2. 47.

I agree that Mr. Baker seems to be the best of those put up, and I note the view of the Governor of Mauritius that he is fully versed in trade union practice and would do well in any post calling for such qualifications. I cannot help feeling, however, that his comparatively short trade union experience in this country and in one Colony where conditions differ vastly from those in Hong Kong make his permanent appointment to Hong Kong a bit of a gamble. The fact

The fact that the Governor of Mauritius does not want Mr. Baker for the permanent post, which is being created there, after discounting the difficulties created by the exceptional conditions in which Mr. Baker has been serving in Mauritius, adds considerably to my doubts. I certainly feel that the Hong Kong appointment is much more important than the Mauritius appointment.

However, if there is no likelihood of our finding any other candidates with trade union experience for the Hong Kong job and I personally feel that a further effort should be made in this direction) and Mr. Baker is finally selected,

I consider that his appointment should be made probationary. He should also be told in the offer

of appointment that he would be required to proceed to Hong Kong as quickly as possible.

26.2.47.