1930-06-20 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1930.

SALARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS.

FINDING THE MONEY.

AT THE CROSS ROADS.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6.)

COMPARATIVE SALARIES AND WAGES.

(Approximate Dollers Drawn per month excluding Honee,

etc., Allowances)

י4

GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

As recommend-

ed by Salaries

Report in totu, As at

Medical Officers.

Public Works Engin-

Fors

703.

(European) 839. 1,934 Clerks Senior Classes.. 767

Education Masters

Outside Employ

ment for same or equivalent type of post. Dollars per

Month.

500 to 800--

:: 873

193. 300

88365

100 300

Present

on basis of 1/3 Paid, on basis of.

exchange.

1/6 exchange...

*Dollars per

Month.

Dollars per

Month.

..894 to 1,507

709 to 1,204

543 1,460

1,180

359

F

.501 "

944

100

*

500 804

708

400

300 600

M

2

Middle Junior

1+

495..

467

183.

400

40

130

30

123

Stenographers

447

600

331

479

150

Works Foreman

(Chinese) 112..

ITE

100

150

120

Draughtsmen:

Senior Classes (Chi-

neae) 1............... 233 Junior Classes (Chi-

nese)

375

153

233

100 to 200

50.

37

40

90

Wirless Operators

60

125

Storekeepers and

Timekeepers 42

35

30

"

Office Attendants

16,

12

20

13..

12

15

18

13

(Chinese 123" 130

Messengers ...min. Colies--Labouring

Watchmen

Classes 14.

21

Launch coxswains (ma-

jority of employees). 27

Launch engineers (ma-

jority of employees). 27

Motor Drivers

46

23 % 85 588 89

100

88852 28

25

23

43

F:-

53 888

.:

**

=

28.8. $

48

ཚ

25

35

28

45

30

20

It must be borne in mind that Three Phases of Problem.

although the Lgures given include Subsequently representatives of the cost of pensions, they do not in the employers, who had been conclude the cost of the extra military sulted by the Hong Kong General contribution, which is on the basis Chamber of Commerce, were aitord- of one-fifth of the revenue, less ed an opportunity of meeting the certain deductions. members of the Commission, but little result was possible, because in the first place, the report had already been completed and publish- ed, and secondly, the commissioners could only deal with matters within the terms of the reference, but three important aspects of the problem became apparent.

(1) That the commissioners did not consider it, necessary to consult outside employers, and had confined their investiga

and

ed.

At the Cross Roads. "It is at this point, Sir, that we came to the cross roads.

It is often said that comparisons are odious-that may be true in many cases, but in considering such an important matter as this, when so much public money is involved, it seems to me that only by obtain ing evidence from other employers in the Colony, a fair and just con- clusion could possible he arrived at, and, in my opinion, the terms of reference ought to have been wider in their scope, much of the bitter feeling that now exists would then have been avoided. Surely those who will have eventually to hear the cost have a right to be consulted.

The Agures disclosed by the com- parative table I have just read shows that wages paid by Govern

meat at the present time and wages paid in outside employment for the sime or similar posta is distinctly in favour of the civil servants; I may say those figures were not ab- tained in any haphazard fashion, they have been supplied by one who has an intimate knowledge of the facts.

Government may retort by saying that employees in commercial firms are insufficiently paid-my answer to that must be a repeat of what I have already read-" we must cut our coat according to our cloth." Business arms are compelled to do 30, and I fail to see why Govern ment should not do likewise

If, unhappily, it should be true that wages paid in this Coluny by business firms are too low, do not blame employers, for there" are abundant reasons in justification, of which the law of supply and de- mand is partly but by no means entirely responsible.

dif.

to

I can state without fear of con- tradiction that at no time during my 30 years' residence in this Finding the Money.

Colony has it been more Now, how is this money to be ficult for commercial firms found obviously by new taxation-balance their books and come out at once we ask what form will it ever so little on the right side than take 1.

it is to-day, and this applics equal- ly to those engaged in shipping, in- aurance, imports, exports, wholesale and retail trading, and I must con- fess I can see no immediate "pros- pects of an improvement

A rate of 1 per cent, brings in 8330,000; it will, therefore, regaire 7 per cent, on the rates bring in the required. amount, or if it is not decided to increase the rates to that extent, some other form of taxation must be found.

I received two days ago a copy of a letter addressed to the Govern-

arc

MR. C. G. MACKIE SECONDS, their earployees for the drop in the

dollar and it is high time that Government took action in the in- Seconding the Hon. Mr. Owen

terests of its dallar as well as its Hughes, the Hon. Mr. C. Gordon sterling salaried officers if it is to Mackie said:-In support of the retain a reasonably contented ser- Amendment proposed by the hon.vice, I was glad to notice the gener member representing the Hong Kong ous tribute in the hon. member's

General Chamber of Commerce, I speech to the work of the commis

as chairman of the Chamber, wish sioners. I associate

"ICELAND"

to endorse the arguments which he, tribute for sas ciate myself in that ICE CREAM FREEZER.

and, through him, Mr. Shenton, fed that it had very able commis- have put forward against the adopsioners indeed, and that, whomever tion of the report of the Salaries i appointed, it would not have Commission. The principal business been likely to obtain a more equit interests in the Colony have clearly able report,

The Pensions Question.

I regret that I do not quite fol-

shown that the present salaries of both the sterling and dollar paid officers compare favourably with the salaries paid to employees in com-

as regards persions. Pensions are mercint and industrial concern. Allow the hon. member's argument employers in the Colony have re- cognized that within the last few based on salary on a scheme which is more or less uniform throughout years the cost of living has increas ed and this has been allowed for the Colonial services, and any re in the present scale of wages paid, commendations as to salary neces particularly to locally engaged sarily have a reaction on pensions; but the question of pensions was not specifically referred to the com Hong Kong would be permitted to mission and it is not likely that make any radical departure from the general principles on which pensions are calculated throughout the Colonial services.

assistants.

The abnormal drop in the value of the dollar is quite another ques

tion, but to meet this situation, em

ployers generally have granted their sterling paid employees an exchange compensation to help them out of their difficulties. In the absence of trade, this means à severe tax on employers, a strain that some may find it hard to stand. It is also recognized that if the present low level of exchange continues for a period, the cost of living is likely to increase still more. This may necessitate & further adjustment of wages in the case of locally engaged

Any adjustment, how assistants. ever, would be of a temporary nature.

The all round increase of 20 per cent. to dollar paid employees re" commended by the Salaries Commis- sion is, in the opinion of the busi nesa interests in this Colony, quite unjustified.

A Heavy Burden.

By the adoption of the report of the Salaries. Commission, a heavy burden would be thrown or the tax-payers of this Colony and would he reflected by a still further in- crense in the cost of living. I understand it is not proposed "to introduce an increase in the rates now. but this will be necessary in the immediate future if the scale of salaries recommended is brought into force.

Any action of the Government which tends to place an additional hamper on trade at the present time must be viewed with grave con- cern by all who are dependent on the future prosperity of Hong Kong. With these remarks, I beg to second the amendment proposed by the Hon. Mr. Owen Hughes.

Hon. Mr. J.J. Paterson:" I would like to register my support to the amendment, but is the case has been very ably and fully dealt with, I do not propose to speak.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

GOVERNMENT - CANNOT. ACCEPT AMENDMENT, "

り

The Colonial Secretary:-Sir,- have listened with much interest to the able speech by the proposer

The hos, member assumes that the increases in 1919-20-21 were on a generous seale. "He admits he has no evidence of this beyond the fact that to quote his words,

generosity was the order of the day." I depreciate most strongly this attempt to prejudice the minds of hon, members by assumptions supported by so flimsy an excuse. How gratuitous, the assumption is can be shown by a reference to the Hansard of 1819. If the Council will allow me I should like to read what one of the unofficial members of that day said on the 1919 salaries revision.

I quote from the speech of the Hon. Mr. R. G. Shewan on pages 101 and 102 of the 1919 Hansard. "There is only one matter which

really meant to refer to. I had the honour to serve on the Civil Servants Salary Commission and I was rather surprised when I return- ed to the Colony to find that no official announcement had been made on that subject.... As to our recommendations I think I may say without revealing any secrets that we approach the matter deter- mined not to lay ourselves, open to any charges of extravagance... We meant to be as economical and conservative of the Colony's money as we could possibly be, but I am bound to say that on inquiry into the matter, we found that the case for the civil servants for the redress. of their grievance was overwhelm- ingly strong. They have suffered long and silently and stoically from the Auctuations of exchange, from the high rent of houses and from the general increased cost of living in the Colony. We examined per sonally every applicant, and in no instance did we recommend any ex-. penditure or any increase that we did not think absolutely justified by facts. It was a matter of bare justice and bothing more."

tiona to Government em- Let us now consider the result ment by the chairman of the Kow. ployees.

of the report, if it is adopted as loon Residents' Association, ex- (2) That they did not take into it stands. It must, in the first place, pressing the alarm that is felt br

But, Sir, we are pot dealing now their consideration the effect inevitably react on all outside em-members of that Association at the an increase in the of their report on outside employment-it is only natural if prospect of

with the question of whether the salaries fixed in 1919-20 were gener- ployment, or attempt to de- Government servants are given all assessment tax.

ous at that time. Many of us were cide on an economical wage round increases, outside employment This letter comes very timely, and

not here then and cannot say how will want similar concessions, and without doubt the same feeling of the amendment, but I am author they compared with the cost of (3) They were not by the terms the burden mast, of course, fall on exists throughout the Colony-ized to say that the Government living in those days. What wo of reference called upon to employers. Secondly, who will have though, at the moment, it may not cannot accept the amendment pro- have to consider is whether the consider how their recommen- to find the money to implement the be generally realised what the posed by my hon. friend Mr. Owen present salaries and system of pay- dations should be implement-report-largely the big concerns who effect of any further increase in Hughes.

ment are fitted to the conditions pay the rates on their extensive taxation will mean to thousands The reasons for this decision are of to-day. Later, the same employers met buildings and undertakings. The reef non-official residents who I think set out" sufficiently fully in the Government, and heard from sult is, a very large proportion of nirendy sarely pressed by high rents the remarks with which I intro Covernment representatives, ap. the burden will fall on the employ and increasingly bigh cost of duced the substantive motion, and

the Goverment cannot see painted for the purpose, the general era.

If employers are called upon to views of the Government on the

Government has in the past asked sufficient grounds for further delay, report.

pay more in taxation and increased The general conclusion to which wages, the cost will inevitably have for, and received, valuable advice It must be remembered that the I am driven is, that in view of to be met by reducing the staffs, from the K.B.A., and I do most salaries report has been under pub- the very strong opinion expressed and the calling for increased efforts sincerely trust that Your Excellency le discussion since September fast. will now give a full and sympathetic It has been exhaustively consider adverse to the raport, the recom- from those retaized.

ed by a special committee of the mendations of the commissioners I doubt whether anyone in this head to their request.

Unoficial members and the rest Chamber of Commerce and the very require further and wider inves- Colony will argue that the present tigation on a much more extended is a propitious time to cust heavier of the Colony owe a debt of grati: full report of that special commit- and increased financial burdens on tude to the Committee of the Astee, which has been adopted by the Let us now turn to the cost of the our trades and industries.

sociation for their appeal to Gov-committee of the Chamber, has been examined by the Government and It might be thought, from theernment. report to the Colony, should we

by the Secretary of State. In fact adopt it.

basis.

living.

any

The Variable Factor. Again the hon. member says that, owing to the drop of the dollar the sterling paid officer will benefit to intend. On this I join issue with an extent the commission did not him. The hon. member seems to me to have forgotten the variable factor introduced by the commis- sion. If I understood the commis sioners correctly they did intend that an offeer should receive the full dollar equivalent of his sub- stantive salary however low the

Government servants. I believe

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An Historic Record by THE PRIME MINISTER | J-RAMSÁY MACDONALD.M.R. Columbia |

The Right Hon.

Record No. 9779.

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THE PRIMITIVES CACHED FOR SAFETY

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arguments I have put forward, that I can assure Your Excellency that much of the delay which has oedollar may fall, and that adjustment (a) The present sterling salaries, the Salaries Commission Report it would give me great pleasure curred has been due to the desire should be made by the variable!

should be scrapped-that is not to approve without further refer of the Government to meet the factor of the high cost of living including exchange compensa really my view, for I regard it a ence the Commission's Report, wishes of the unofficial members allowance of 15 per cent or 7 per tion, on a basis of exchange l'an important work, and of consider were it possible, and were it in my that the scheme should not be pro- cent. The scheme of conversion is at 1/10, which is the basis able value as far as it goes, as it opinion justified, but in all bonesty, ceeded with until the views of the not, something specially devised I now budgeted for, will cost forms the basis for further and I cannot see how it is possible Chamber had been first ascertain- $5,948,034. The present dollar. salaries, including rent allow more comprehensive consideration, without inflicting an intolerable ed and then considered, both local am right in saying that it is in ances, will cost $3,781,173 & wider field must be enquired into, hardship on trade and the Colony ty and by the Secretary of State force to-day in at least one very

and other interests consulted. It generally, nor in view of the figures Moreover the Chamber's

repre. large commercial firm in the making a total cost to the would be unthinkable totally to dis- which I have already referred to. sentatives, with members of the Colony.. Colory of 89,021,207.

The hoa. member refers to cer (b) If the report is adopted in regard so valuable a document.

I find it impossible to adopt the

How far my colleagues will appecial committee had interviews its entirety, the extra cost to

prove the manner in which I have both with members of the commis-tain advantages enjoyed by Govern-! ment servants such ...pensions, the Colony beyond the present report in toto as it now stands; in

expressed my views I do not know, sion and with representatives of the fact, I should regard myself want budget guzes, of the sterling ing in my duty to the Colony, but on this we are of one mind-Government, The recommendations patenges, housing or rent allow salaries, will be $1,579,270, should I support it at the moment that owing to entirely changed con- of the commission have been very ances, preferential rates for medi- and the. dollar salaries in the present circumstances and ditions silice the report was pre- fully ventilated in the Press. The cal service, continuity of employ $603,728, making a total extra

sented, a re-survey is absolutely full" facts are before us and I am rert, safety of employment and present form cost of $2,542,995.

protection against dismissal. Now Your Excellency, I feel, and I am necessary and essential.

these preferential medical rates (c) If the report is adopted less

Cironmstances Alter Cases..

have no practical bearing above the the second 15 per cent. (high Bure my colleagues also feel, the cost of living), and less the imposed on us in having to deal with tremendous responsibility which is

Without again going over all the

lower grades. There is a certain further rent allowances, ré commended by the Commis. this subject, and of the diffidence Egures, I will only remind Your

continuity and safety of employ sion, the cost to the Colony in being called upon to criticize a Excellency that in all their con

ment and protection against unjust beyond the present budget report prepared and presented by sideration and calculations, the com-

dismissal, but I doubt if they amount to much as compared with such distinguished and able men as missioners visualised the dollar as figures will be $2,048,017, (d) Should the temporary conces.those composing the Commission rumaining in the region of about

the security, enjoyed by any honest hard working officer in any of the As for the report, and hearing in 2/-; they never contemplated any work and

large commercial firms. The Gov. sion, that is to say, exchange mind how circumscribed are its thing approaching 1/8 (the figure to which, as my honourante friend was compensation down to 1/6, be regarded as a permanent con terms of reference, I imagine there which temporary adjustments have careful to point out, was to go in ernment service cannot be com- cession and as already grant can be little fault to find with it; already been granted to sterling for a wider consideration on a much gred with the small business em ed, then leaving out the the Commissioners, without doubt, salaried people). How much more, more. extended basis, might easily ploying a small number of clerks or assistants. It can only be com second 15 per cent. (high cost have discharged the duty they then, is it necessary to review the take nearly as long, and when its

whole matter with the dollar at recommendations were received, wepared with large firms employing of living), and less the further undertook with the utmost fidelity.

At the interview granted to a 1/31 Will it for one moment be might then be asked for yet another large stalls of varied character acpuration vigoare mai dil nommittaa, hæcause coptions had and among these it would rank- Sole Agents Kong General Chamber of Com been called upon to consider the undergone still further changes and probably as hie Targe merce, and large employers of matter on the basis of these figures, so we might, go on piling commit member speaks as though only labour, Sir Henry Gollan, in an- they would have arrived at the same

Government servants enjoyed the swer to a question, replied that it conclusion? It is for this reason,

privileges he refers to, but which is not a question of economica that above all ethers, that I most

of the large firms has not found it the Contraission had to consider but earnestly Beg Your Excellency to

necessary to provide some form of (Continued on: Page 10,) give effect to the amendment. the adequacy of salaries,

by the Commission, the cost to the Colony $1,071,617,

Will

be

The saving on the second 15 per cent, (high cost of living) would be $245,500, and on the extra rent allowance recom- mended $248,281.

at a loss to know what the hon. member hopes to gain from a fur- ther committee on the report except delay, and as I said before, the Government sees no sufficient justification for further delay. The matter has been under considers tion since early in 1928. The com-

another mission took nearly a year over its committee.

tee on committee till hope deferred had made sick the heart of every Government servant in the Colony Many of the large firms have i 'ready taken action to compensate

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