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Dr Stumf for example done in going round and promoting interest amongst voluntary agencies in Canada, America and Europe in taking refugees specifically from HK. But as long as the numbers keep on dropping I think
we are going to be all right.
Q. Because of the recent troubles with CS Unions there has been a growing call
for an independent arbitration body to be set up to deal with these problems
would you like to comment on that.
A. I am not an expert in these matters, but the understanding with the CS Assn
provides for arbitration in certain circumstances one of these is disagreement
about pay trend awards. But generally speaking the disadvantage of arbitration in a specific issue is that it must deal with this issue in isolation,
and of course you cannot deal with the pay of any element of the CS in isolation because relativities immediately get affected.
We were very conscious of this problem, and the solution that we worked out
and agreed with the CS Assn was the appointment of the Standing Commission
which we thought would be a great improvement on a Board of Arbitration
which could be appealed to on specific issues, because it would take under
review the whole field and it would not only do that but it could review
its own awards as and when a good case was put up for doing so. So I personally think that a standing commission made up of independent people who are not subject to either pressure of Govt or the staff side, is a
very good answer, and it's made up of very able men, it has certainly my full confidence and I hope its going to play a good part in easing relations between Govt and its employees. It has made an extraordinary good start, and considering the immense width and the field its covering, and how
contraversial this whole subject must be, I think it's done extremely well. Q. So you're confident that the associations that have been unhappy they
are the same associations which were unhappy a year ago? Their unhappiness will be resolved in good time?
A. They have recourse to this commission and if the commission is fair and
independant and if there is validity in the case it ought to be picked up, but in relation to pay scales as a whole and not in isolation, which I think is much better. Mind you in any wage negotiation or claim there is
bound to be one or other party which who is not all that happy this is in the nature of things.
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