Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 68

54

13. In conclusion I invite Your Lordship's attention to paragraph 183 of the Report. I appreciate the Commissioners' tribute to the work of the officers mention- ed and venture to recommend for your approval the payment of the following bonus-

es:

To Mr. W. J. Carrie--Secretary

Miss V. R. Harrison-Stenographer

,”

Mr. Un Ting Fan-Interpreter

$1,500 $ 500

$ 75

The extra duty required of Mr. Badan Singh was not of sufficient magnitude to call for any bonus.

I have the honour to be, My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD PASSfield,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

(Sd.) C. CLEMENTI.

Governor, &c.

Enclosure No. 2 to Governor's despatch of 22nd January, 1930.

REPORT OF THE SALARIES COMMISSION 1928.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

A. Recommendations.

Paragraph 26.-New Year Bonus.

The Government is prepared to accept the Commissioners' suggestion for the institution of a system of New Year bonuses to Chinese employees in the lowest categories which may most conveniently be described by the term "Labour". It is realized that such a step may have very far-reaching effects in the cost of such ser- vices to other employers, including the Military and Naval Authorities of the Colony. But some large "foreign" employers already have such a system in work- ing, it is usual in domestic service and in some form or other among Chinese em- ployers. At the same time it is not considered practicable to fix arbitrarily a limit of wage above which no bonus shall be receivable and it is therefore proposed that a careful survey shall be made of all Chinese "Labour" in the employment of the Government, category by category, and a decision taken on the merits of each. It should be observed that owing to the action of the Chinese Government. the use of the lunar calendar among Chinese may perhaps disappear and that, in such an event the bonus will become payable in December instead of January or February. For the first year therefore in which the change takes effect, it may be necessary to budget for two bonuses.

Paragraphs 28-37. Governor.

Paragraph 32.-In view of the increases in salary accorded to the Private Secretary and Aide-de-Camp, it is considered that the Conveyance Allowance of $360 per annum each now drawn by these officers should be abolished.

Paragraph 34.-It will be more convenient to include under the head "Gov- ernor" in the Annual Estimates the wages of the chauffeur for the second Govern- ment House Car (see paragraph 36). At present the Governor himself pays a portion ($240 per annum) of the wages of the chauffeur for his second (private) car, the re- mainder ($600 per annum) being paid from Fire Brigade funds. The wages of the motor cleaner $192 per annum now paid by the Governor personally should also be transferred to public expenditure under the same head. The saving to the Governor represented by these charges, $432 per annum, will be deducted from the lump sum of $5,000 per annum recommended for servants in paragraph 35 of the Report.