1936-03-20 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1936.

OVER FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLARS FOR SALARIES

DRASTIC RETRENCHMENT ÜRGED

BY MR. M. K. LO

Civil Service

Overstaffed

And Overpaid

Astonishing figures revealing the colossal burden of the Hong Kong Civil Service salaries, were made by the Hon. Mr. M. K. La at the Legislative Council Meeting of the Hong Kong Government which was held yesterday in the Council Chamber, when he moved å resolution that in the opinion of the Council, the Colony could not afford to maintain so large and costly a Civil Service as now exists, and that the Government should take immediate steps to effect all possible retrenchments" Mr. Lo revealed that the full bill for salaries amounted to over fourteen million dollars amtually, leaving just over nine and a half millions to cover the whole cost of

civil administration.

Sir Henry Pollock, the Senior Unofficial member of the Council spoke in sup- port of Mr. Lo's resolution, while Sir Thomas Southor, the Colonial Secretary in replying to Mr. Lo said tha the Government would be inclined to agree, if the mover (Mr. Lo) would add the proviso in the present circumstances". One was apt to be misled by metaphors and it would seem that the Hon. Mr. Le contemplated a static This argument was implicit in Colony, which had reached the end of its growth. his views, whether intentional or not, and with this view, the Government could not

agree.

The Colony had grown enormously and was growing continuously, with a con sequent increase of staff to cope with this advance. Mr. Lo's arguments did not present a true picture of the real state of affairs. A comparison of the Colony with the F.M.S.. Straits Settlement. Kenya, and Nigeria would show that the cost of ad- ministration in Hong Kong was 38 per cent., as against 41.1 per cent. in the Straits Settlement. 37 per cent." in Kenya and 36.1 per cent. in Nigeria.

His Excelleney the Governor replying hehalf of the Government thanked. the Hon. Mr. Lo for "a most usefully critical speech." I can assure this Council that the Government will, 5# long at any rate as I am associated with it, react to Mr. Lo's, two main points: firstly, that staff must be kept at the minimum compati ble with efficiency; second, that the percentage of local recruits must be kept at the maximuun sa compatible”.

on

Later His Excellency said while therefore I am no prepared to subscribe to the letter of this motion I have a grateful sympathy with its spirit, and I will say now on behalf of the Government that no vacant post on the establishment will be filled without examining the possibility of its retrenchment and that no officer will be engaged from Overseas without first examining the possibility of a local recruit-

ment.

GOVERNOR'S SYMPATHETIC VIEW

THOSE PRESENT

Those present at the Council ..Meeting included:-

His Excellency the Governor (Sir Andrew Caldecott, KL., C.M.G.. C.M.E.);

His Excellency the General Offi- .cer commanding the Troops (Major General A. W. Bartholomew C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E, D.8.0.);

The Colonial Secretary (Hon, Sir Thomas Southom, KEE., C.M.G.); The Attorney General (Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, K.C., O.BE);

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs (Hon. Mr. B. A, C. North); The Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Mr. E. Taylor);

Hon. Mr. G. W. Tickle (Direc- tor of Public Works);"

Dr. A. P. Wellington (Director of Medical Services),

. Hon. Commander G. F. Hole. RN., (Retired) (Harbour Master). Hon. Mr. T. H. King (Inspector General of Polce),

Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, Kt., K.C.;

Hon. Sir William Shenton, K: Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga, O.B.E.; Hon, Mr. T. N. Chau; Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson;

Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell;

Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo:.

Mr. H. R. Butters (Deputy Clerk

of Councila).

The Hon. Mr. R. A. C. North and the Hon. Mr. G. W, Tickle both took the Oaths of Allegiance, and assumed their seats as members of the Council.

MUI-TSAI PROBLEM

The Hon. Mr. Jose Pedro Braga, C.B.E. pursuant to notice, asked the following "questions:— +

}

1. Will the Govertiment COM- municate to the Council any in- formation in its possession con- cerning the telegraphed report, 'dafed' London, Márch 6, 1936, that Mr JH, Thomas has decided to Céspatch a Corimissiön of Inquiry.j from Britain to Hong Kong to fur- ther investigate the 'mui-tsa! system?

2. Will the Government inform

the Council whether

(a) the report 1s true:

(b) if true, at whose expense

the Commission will be proceed- ing to Hong Kong; and

THE ANSWERS

Sir Thomas Southorn answered The Hon Mr. Braga's questions as follows:-

(1) The report is correct and the Honourable, Member will be al- ready aware that the Secretary of State has appointed Sir Wilfrid Woods, Miss E. Picton-Turbervill and Mr. C. A. Willis to be members of the Commission. No informa tion has been received as to when the Commission will arrive. The proposal to appoint a Commission was referred to this Government and was considered in Executive Courch where the view was taken that the first conclusion of the

Report of the recent Committee Tsai ir Hong Kong (Sessional Paper 8/1935)" rendered

on

Mul

Colonies, as they were shewn in Appendix VI. (b) p. 115 of the dratt estimates for 1936. I. will however, recapitulate.

Item No. 2 Shing Mun Valley Water Scheme from $10,043,531 to $10,443,530. Two new works, the

and Third Rapid Gravity Filters second 24" Trunk Main $350,000 $300,000 have been added. This is gross increase under the head of $859.000 but partially offset by 2 saving of a further $250,000 on the Gorge Dam, reducing that total "from $9,000,000 to $8.750,000...

Item No. 4: New Goal at Stanley from $4,631,000 to $4,500,000. "

Item No. 5: Tytam Tuk Catch- waters from $800.000 to $720,000.

Both the above two items, it is anticipated, will be completed for the reduced totals now Inserted.

Item No. 6: Airport Development

(5) 3nd 24* Trunk

Mala

(6 3rd Rapid Gra- vity Fliters Head 3-Vehicular Ferry

Head 4-New Gaol at Stanley.

Head 5-Tytam Tuk CatchWaters

Head 6-Airport- (b) Airport and Sea- plane Slipway

subsistence in the case of stering 300,000.00 pald officers. Officers below the £240 level are, in the Police De- 250,000.00 partment ance-sergeants whose salary rises from £100 to £240, 62,022,51 in the Prisons Department certain Junior warders "where the salary 2,600,000.00 rises from £190 to £330, and th the Medical Department certain 59,751.17 Junior nursing sisters where the

salary rises from £230 to £205.

DOUBLE LEVY

The first part of the double levy. $5,233,077.82 on sterling salaries is a graduated percentage cut of 2 per cent, on the first £240, 5 per cent on the Dext £380, 7 per cent. on the next £400, 15 per cent. on the next £400 and 12 per cent. on the remainder of the salary.

151.304.14

In moving the resolution The Colonial Treasurer said:-

Your Excellency: The next re- solution standing in my name is ir connection with the proposed expenditure in 1936 on approved loanworks. Honourable Members are already familiar with the item in the schedule which appear in Appendix VT (b) p. 115 of the draft estimates for 1936. There are, however, three exceptions which were originally estimated as under and now require alteration.

Head 2. Shing Mun Valley Water Scheme.

.

The second part of the double levy is provided for in clause 2 (4) salaries, after deduction of the and Involves the payment of the

percentage levy and Widow's and Orphans' Pension Contribution (if any), at the arbitrary rate of one shing and six-pence to the dol- far, for the Arst quarter of this year and for subsequent quarters at such rates as this Council may direct by resolution. On this point I may say that the Government intend to introduce, with the ap- proval of the Secretary of State. Head 3-Vehicular Ferry, $1,-rate, that of one shiling and five a resolution for a lower exchange 582.51.

b (5) 2nd 24" Trunk, $250,000.

(8) 3rd Rapid Gravity Filters,

$150,000

Regarding the first two items there is every Indication at the present rate of construction of the Shing Mun Gorge Dam that the draft provision of $250,000 for the 2nd 24 Trunk Main and of $150.-

pence farthing, for the second quarter, with further reductions of rate for the last two quarters. The double cut for the first quar- salaries, of £1400 and over to a ter will amount on the higher

000 for the 3rd Rapid Gravity Fil-levy of 20 per cent, and over.

ters will be insufficient for the re- These proposals sound very dras- vised: 1936 programme of work and tic, but they are designed to do approval is requested to spend this Justice between stering paid salar year up to $300,000 and $250,000 les and dollar pald salaries in view respectively. Corresponding de- of the fact that when a sharp fall creases in estimated expenditurer exchange occurs the cost of on these subheads for 1937 will living does not rise pari passy. rake place and the total estimate There is a lag which has for the for the works will not be affected. purpose in hand been taken at a There remains the third excep-year, partly because that is the tion Head 3-Vehicular Ferry-the period under review and partly amount under which has been in because there are grounds for creased by $80,439.08 from $1,582.51 viewing the financial situation to $62,022.49. Honourable Members after 1938 with less anxiety as by will remember that by a Resolu- that time our most expensive tion, dated September 5, 1935. the commitments for Public Works sum of $78,000 was approved for Extraordinary will be completed or the service last year in order to nearing completion construct twg. new caissons and certain other works. In introduc- ing the resolution last September. I stated that it was possible that a leyy on dollar salaries exceeding the full sum of $78,000 might pot. $240 per annum at the rate for has proved to be required during 1935 and this the first half year of 4 per cent. be correct. The on the Arst $1000, 8 per cent. on contract was only let on October the remainder. For the rest of 22 last and the total amount spent the year these rates will be reduc- to $17,560 out of the full allotment per cent., and 12 to the end of the year amounted ed to 3 per cent.. 6 per cent., 10 per cent res- of $78,000. I am now asking for pectively. the balance of $80,439.98 to be added to the sum of $1,582,51 for 1935,

The resolution was seconded by the Colonial Secretary and passed

DOLLAR SALARIES.

Clause 3 of the Bill provides for

been selected as representing the Here again the figure $240 has

bare level of subsistence. It wil exclude messengers and coolies and others nat receiving more than $20 per mensem.

It must be remembered that on AMENDMENTS APPROVED the revision of salaries in 1930 re- sulting from the Report of the Salaries Commission the basic dol- iar salaries were increased twenty per cent. whereas the basic ster-

-Upon the motion of the Attorney General, 'seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the following amend-

it desirable to welcome a Com- from $895,000 to $975,486. This is inents were approved by the Coun- ng salaries received an increase

mission if one should be appointed,

(2) This Government will cer- tainly be expected to contribute a

share of the "cost.

(3) For the reason given in the first paragraph of this reply the Government is unable to protest in

the manner suggested.

་

Llons:-

PUBLIC WORKS

accounted for to the extent of $20,488 originally charged to sur

of only 15 per cent., the contem- plated High Cost of Living Allow- plus balances, $140,000 for levelling by-laws made by the Urban Coua-paid. This fact has to be consider- The amendment to the Market ance never having been in' fact the area known as the Flight Gap to the north of aerodrome $20,000 til under section 5 of the Public ed in constrasting the differences for flood lighting making a total Health (Food) Ordinance, 1935, in the incidence of the revy in the of $180,486 which is offset by sav-Ordinance No. 13 of 1935, on Janu cases of the dollar paid and ster- ings, amounting to one lakh giving ary 7, 1936.

ing paid salaries; the revised figure of $975.486.

The amendment to the Scaveng

The only other clause of the Bul Item No. 8: Other Public Works.

ing by-laws made by the Urban which calls for special comment Council under section 4 (xv) of the is clause & which allows the Le- ublic Health (Banitation) Ordi-gislative Council by resolution to nance, 1935, Ordinance. No. 15 of exempt either wholly or partial y from the,, operation of clauses 2 The amendment to the Genera and 3 any officer or any class or and Licensing by-laws made by the description of officer. It is intend- Urban Council under sections 2 ed by the Government to fiatra-: and 4 of the Hawkers Ordinance, duce under this clause a resolution 1935, Ordinance No. 22 of 1935, on exempting from levy the salaries January 7, 1936.

Allowing for the above adjust ments, this item will be reducer In moving the following resolu- by $289,485 and the now loan

schedule will stand as follows:- Item No. 1 ......$ 2,555,703 2. 10,443,530 3...... 1,930,000 4

4,500,000"

1. That this Council approves under Section 3 (2) of the Hong | Kong Dollar Loan Ordinance, No. 11 of 1934, of the following trans- fers in the Schedule as amended by the resolution of May 16, 1935.

Item No, 2-Shing Mun Valley Water Scheme from $10,043,531 to $10,443,530,

Item No. 4.-New Gacl at Stanley from $4,031,000 to $4,500,000.

720,000 975,488

3,864,943

10,338

$25,000,000

Item No. 5-Tytam Tuk 'Catch- The Colonial Secretary rose to waters from $800,000 to $720,- | second the resolution, which was

000.

Item No. 8.-Airpart Develop. ment from $895,000 to 3975,483 Item No. 8-Other Public Works

from $279,823 to $10,338. The Colonial Treasurer said: Your Excellency: Five items of the Schedule to the Hong Kong Dollar Loan Ordinance No. 11 of

passed by the 'Council.

MORE EXPENDITURES

1935, on January 7, 1936.

THE BILLS

la rising to move the first read-

paid to those. (other than officere seconded from the general eatab Ushmen employed on the construc- tion of the Jubilee Reservoir and Shing Mun Dam.

FINAL "ASPECT

ing of the Hong Kong Govern- ment Service (Levy on Balar.espect of the proposals. "". Bill, the Attorney: General said:—

I now turn to the financlaj as-

The defcit on the estimates for Sir rise to move the First 1936 at one shiling and eight. Reading of the Hong Kong Gov-pence amounted to $2,926,303. To ernment Service (Levy on Balar this has to be added the sum of The Colonial Treasurer also les) Bul moved the following resolution:-

| $3,000,000 for our sterling' commit- The necessity for the introduc-ments if the dollar is reckoned at That this Council approves of tion of a meature of this nature one shilling and three-pence mak- the expenditure of $5,223,077.82 on and the general principles governing $5,928,303 in all The conven- 1934 as amended by the resolution the various items of Loan Works ing it are set out in the Memoran- tional dollar taxes on liquor to- of May 10, 1935 now require furas enumerated below during the dum of Objects and Reasons, but bacco and light dues are estimated ther amendment and as Your Ex- financial year 1936, which suir in a Bul of this importance it is Gess military (contribution) to' pro- cellency has directed under Bection shall be met from surplus balances only right that I should supple- duce $930,000 and the taking it of (2) that certain transfers be pending the issue of a further ment that Memorandum with an the surplus on the Trade Loan nade the resolution I am about to loan. move is now submitted for the approval of Council.

(e) if it be at the Colony's ex pense will His Excellency the Governor forthwith protest against the imposition of any further expenditure on local tax- Honourable Members are already 'payers in presence of the aware of these alterations, which Colony's unbalanced Budget for have now received the approval of the current financial year?

the Secretary of State for the

SCHEDULE

explanation'in 'greater detal'"' '('ess 'military contribution) a fur- Clause 2 provides for a double ther $400,000. Deducting these re- Head 2 Shing Mun Valley levy on all sterling salaries which ceipts the deneltis reduced c Water, Scheme,

exceed 2210 per annum. That 34,590,383, The dollar and sterlin- (b) and Saction:

hgure has been selected because it (3) George Dam... $1,800,000.00 is regarded as the bare level of

(Continued on Page 10)

TOWN

TALK"

LIQUID SILVER POLISH

"AND

ม

SILVERPLATE CLOTH

FOR CLEANING AND POLISHING SOLID SILVER AND SILVER- PLATED WARE.

INSTANTLY REMOVES ALL TARNISH AND IMPARTS A BRILLIANT - and LASTING POLISH,

British Manufacture

다

• CLEAN

• HARMLESS QUICK

• LASTING.

TOWN TALK

SILVER POLISH

NO AMMONIA

NO SMELL

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

SILVERWARE DEPARTMENT.

TELEPHONE 2 8 1-5 1

Courtesy, Comfort, Bervice and Luxuries of Modern Hotel Construction

THE HOTEL RIVIERA MACAU

Cable Address :-" Riviera, Macau."

HUNG CHEONG

GROCERIES AND

PROVISIONS

WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS

66, NATHAN ROAD.

Tel. 37108.

TRY ONE BOTTLE

THAT WILL CONVINCE YOU

OF THE MERITS OF

ST. CEORGE'S CIN

It costs less than other gins of like excellence HIGH IN QUALITY

LOW IN PRICE Obtainable from all leading Hotels, Clubs, Stores and

Compradores or by "Phoning 25913.

Local Agents:

Maison, F. Mathieu, Ste. Ame.