Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 963

HONGKONG.

No. 1907

30

CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT OF THE SALARIES OF EUROPEAN CIVIL SERVANTS.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

18. BANK BUILDINGS,

12th May, 1906.

THE CLERK OF COUNCILS.

SIR, I beg to give notice that I shall put the following question at the next meeting of the Legislative Council:-

Will the Government consider the advisability of granting to those Civil Servants who are drawing their pay on a Sterling basis the privilege of drawing half of their pay at the rate of 1/8 to the dollar or will the Government grant some other relief by way of compensation to such Civil Servants?

I have, etc.,

H. E. POLLOCK.

ANSWER TO QUESTION OF 12TH MAY, 1906.

His Excellency the Governor has communicated with the Secretary of State on the

matter.

14th May, 1906.

FROM GOVERNOR, Hongkong, TO SECRETARY OF STATE.

I

The constant rise in silver is seriously affecting sterling salaries and the Legislative Council are pressing for action by the Government. I think some relief is necessary. propose as a temporary measure to pay the sterling salaries for the remainder of the year from the 1st May half at the current rate and half at the 1 shilling and 8 penny rate provided in the Estimates.

I likewise propose to pay the dollar salaries carrying exchange compensation as if the Exchange was the inean between current rate and 1 shilling and 8 pence. Kindly telegraph

sanction.

19th May, 1906.

grant

status,

1

FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO GOVERNOR, HONGKONG.

Your telegram of 14th May. You can submit for consideration relief to prison warders, subordinate police officers and persons of similar! but I am not prepared to consider any allowance to officers more highly pai