CO129-615-1 Labour Department- future development 13-6-1946 - 11-11-1947 — Page 63

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that

"Since reoccupation work of the department has increased enormously both in volume and importance, and is likely to increase still further in the near future when labour legislation for Trade Unions Workman Compensation, which is long overdue but has been unavoidably delayed by the war, is enacted. Owing to increased demands elsewhere it is not possible to allocate second Cadet Officer permanently to the Labour Department, and appointment of senior officer as Assistant who can specialise in local labour problems is considered essential."

4.

Indeed, in view of the growing volume and complexity of labour work in the Colony and the need for a man with trade union or Ministry of Labour experience as well as a man with local experience and fluency in Cantonese higher authority here has recommended that there should be two additional appointments of Assistant Labour Officers. The Governor has agreed in principle but considers that this second appointment should be deferred pending the enactment of certain local legislation.

5.

I write therefore to ask for Treasury agreement to the creation of one additional post of Assistant Labour Officer on the scale mentioned in paragraph 2. We shall in all probability be coming to you later on for approval of a second post.

Yours sincerely, (Sgd.) A. M. RUSTON