1930-06-20 — Page 6

Watch The Fruit Your

Children Eat.

Most children love fruit and many are prone to cat it regard Iesa qf its condition. Fruit that is unripe, over-ripe, damaged, or upon which flies have rested, is highly dangerous, causing acute stomach trouble, diarrhoen, cholera, worms.

When you have reason to suspect your child has enten fruit' of a doubtful character the best course is to administer

Baby's Own

Tablets

if

at once. for these tablets quickly bat gently cleanse the stomach and bowels, correct indigestion, allay colic, check diarrhoea present, expel worms. They also case teething paina almost as if by magic, relieve croup and colds, thus bringing sound, health-rostor- ing sleep to the little one in a perfectly normal way. Of chemists everywhere, 60 cents per vial.

New

Victor

Records

FOR

June

TSANG FOOK PIANO CO.

8. Des Voeux Road, Central.

(Entrance Ice House Street,) Telephone C. 24648.

'PUDLO

SCREET WATERPOLA

PREVENTS

#LOODED CELLARS

Sole Agents for Hongkong 8 S. China DODWELL & CO., LTD. Hongkong-Tel. 28021.

| ELECTRIC BATHS

TONE THE SYSTEM. TESTER BEAUTY PARLOUR Kayamally Building...Tel. 22103 Men's Dept: Upon till 7 p.m. & on Sunday morninga

SALARIES REPORT

APPROVED.

(Continued from Page 5.) "Later, the same employers met the Government, and heard from

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1930.

An Important Work

It might be thought, from the arguments I have put forward, that the Salaries Commission Report should be scrapped-that is not really my view, for I regard it as an important work, and of con- siderable value as far as it goes,

This letter comes very timely, THE GOVERNMENTS REPLY selves open to any charges of ex- for me to say. I ask for your in-

and without doubt the same feel- ing exists throughout the Colony- though at the moment it may not be generally realised what the effect of any further Increase in taxation will mean to thousands of non-official residents

who are

"No Sufficient Justification for Further Delay."

Government representatives, ap- las it forms the basis for further already sorely pressed by high/4 "GRATUITOUS ASSUMPTION." that the case of the Civil Servants very sorry that auch, a strong dif-

I find it impossible to adopt the Report in toto as it now stands; in fact I should regard ayself wanting in my duty to the Colony should I support it at the moment SCHEDULE. COMPARATIVE SALARIES & WAGES. (Approximate Dollars drawn per month excluding House, etc. allowances).

Government,

bave

travagance. or over-generosity," | dulgence if I cover to some extent We want to be as economical and the same ground. I congratulate the conservative of the Colony's mover of the amendment on his money as we could possibly be. eloquent speech and can only ex- But I am bound to say that on press regret that I have not found enquiry into the matter we found it sufficiently convincing. I am

for the redreas of their grievances ference of opinion should was overwhelmingly strong. They arisen at my first meeting of this have suffered long and silently Council, but it appears to have been and stoically from the fluctuations inevitable. Further, I need hardly of exchange, from the high rents say that it is a matter of great re- of houses and from the general gret. among the officers of the Gov increased cost of living in theerament that, on a question of this kind, it has not been found poa- Colony.

Bible to obtain the support and

unofficial mem bors. agreement of the

There appear to be two main aspects of this question: First whether the

recommendations "of

The Colonial Secretary have pointed for the purpose,

the and more comprehensive con- rents and increasingly high cost

listened with much interest to the general views of the Government sideration; a wider field must be of living.

enquired into, and other interests Government has in the past able speech of the proposer of on the Report.

The general conclusion to which consulted. It would be unthink-asked for, and received, valuable this amendment but I am authoris I am driven is, that in view of the able to totally disregard so valu advice from the K.R.A. and I deed by you, Sir, to say that the Gov moat sincerely trust that Your ernment cannot accept the amend very strong opinion expressed able a document.

Excellency will now give a full and ment which my Hon. friend, Mr. adverse to the Report, the recomi

Jughes, proposes. The

"We examined personally every mendations of the Commissioners

sympathetic heed to their request. Owen

Unofficial members and the rest reasons for this decision are, I require further and wider, in-

we recommend any expenditure vestigation and consideration on a

of the Colony owe a debt of think, set out sufficiently fully in applicant and in no instance did gratitude to the Committee of the the remarks with which 1 intro- or any increase that we did not much more extended basis.

Association for their appeal to deed the substantive motion, and think absolutely justified by the the Government cannot see any facts. It was a matter of bare sufficient grounds for further justice and nothing more." the Salaries Commission, as re- An Intolerable Hardship. delay. It must be remembered

But Sir, we are not dealing now garda basic salaries, are justified. I can

nsure your Excellency that the Salaries Report has been with the question of whether the Second, whether, assuming that Outside that it would give me great under public discussion since salaries fixed in 1919/20 were they are justified, this is the proper Employment pleasure to,

without September last,

generous at that time. Many of time to put them into effect.

I approached this question with. further reference the Commis-haustively considered by a special us were not here then and cannot for same or

sion's Report, were.it possible, and Committee of the Chamber of Com- any how they compared with the an open mind, but with some ex- type of post wore a minion, justified, merce which, as the honourable cost of living in those days. What perience of a similar question in

but in all honesty I cannot see how member pointed out, has consult we have to consider is whether Malayo, and I have studied the re

ed, I suppose, every firm of im-the present salaries and it is possible without inflicting an portance in the Colony, in one way of payment are fitted to the con- fully, The Commission appointed. port of the Commission' very care- intolerable hardship on trade and

or another in order to get their ditions of to-day.

by my predecessor to go into this the Colony generally, nor in view

views on the Report; and the very of the figures which I have full report of that Special Com-

question was, it must be admitted, The Exchange Factor.

a very strong one. It consisted of, already referred to."

|mittee, which has been adopted

Again the Hon. member anys first, the highest judicial officer of by the Committee of the Chamber that owing

A Crown,

man whose the drop

of the has been examined by the Govern- the dollar

has the sterling paid opinion

always carri- ment and by the Secretary of

officer will benefit to an ed considerable weight, State. In fact much of the delay extent the Commission did not has been accustomed for many which has occurred has been due intend. On this I join issue with years to weigh up judicially all the

Medical Officers

Public Works Engineers

Government Service. As Recommended:

by Salaries Roport in-toto, on basis

of 1/6 exchange

Education Masters (European)

Clerks Senior Classes

Clerks Middle Classes

Clerks Junior Classes Stenographers

Works Foremen (Chinese) Draughtsmen Senior Classes

(Chinese): Draughtsmen Junior Classes

(Chinese) Wireless Operators (Chinese) Storekeepers & Timekeepers.. Office Attendants Messengers

Dellars

per month 894 to 1,507 703 to 1,469 600 to 1,914 767 to

As at present

Paid, on basis of 1/6 exchange

Dollars per month 708 to 1,204 543 to 1.180 501 to 944

equivalent

Dollars

per month 600 to 800 389 to 875 400 to 800 400 to 600 125 to 300

894

500 to

708

225 to

407

183 to

400

40 to

150

37 to

125

447 to

600

351 to

472

112 to

171

100 to

150

25 to 100 150 to 300 120.00

263 to

375

183 to

233

· 100 to 200

50 to

&

37 to

71

40 to 80

125 to

150

100 to

125

60 to 125

42 to

80

37 to

71

35 to 50

16 to

25

12 to

16

13 to

14 to

17.

21 to

20 to

24

Launch Coxswaina) Majority of Launch Engineers) Employees Motor Drivers

27 to

37

25 to

35

25

27 to

37

25 to

46 to

5.1

35 60

26

Coolies-Labouring Classes Watchmen

The Cost of the Report. Let us now turn to the cost of the Report to the Colony should we adopt it.

(3) The present sterling salaries, including exchange compensation, on a basis of exchange at 1/10 which is

10 to 20 15

11 to 15"-

20 to 25

45 to 50. in the present circumstances and present form.

approve

It has been ex-

to the desire of the Government-

members that the scheme should

very

the basis now budgeted for, to criticize a Report prepared anded that had the Commission beer member hopes to gain from a for-

will cost $5,240,034. present dollar salaries, in

allowances, cluding rent will cost $3,781,173 making a total cost to the Colony of $9,021,207. (b) If the Report is adopted in its entirety the extra cost to the Colony beyond the present Budget figures, of the sterling salaries, will be At the interview granted to à $1,579,270, and the dollar deputation of members of the salaries $963,728, making a Hongkong. General Chamber of total extra cost of $2,542,- Commerce, and large employers of 998.

labour, Sir Henry Gollan, in answer (c) If the Report is adopted less to a question, replied that "it is the second 15% (High Cost not a question of economics that of Living), and less the the Commission had to consider, further rent allowances but the adequacy of salaries." recommended by the Com- mission, the cost to the Colony beyond the present Budget figures will be $2,- 048,917.

upon

INCREASE UNJUSTIFIED.

Chamber of Commerce Objections.

HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.

to

system

scheme of conversion is not some-

rent.

who

How far my colleagues will ap prove the manner to which I have expressed my views I do not know, but on this we are of one mind, that owing to entirely changed conditions ainée the Report was presented, a re-survey is absolute- to meet the wishes of the Unofficial him. The Hon. member seems to pros and cons of any question, and

me to have forgotton the factor who had a wide and varied know-- ly necessary and essential...

Without again going over all not be proceeded with until the introduced by the Commission. If ledge of affairs both in this and the figures I will only remind views of the Chamber had been correctly they did intend that an

I understood the Commissioners other Colonies. The next member

was a Chinese member of this Coun Your Excellency that in all their first ascertained and then con- officer should receive the full cil, with a long and ripe experience consideration, and calculations sidered, both locally and by the dollar equivalent of his substan- of the conditions which obtain both. the Commissioners visualised the Secretary of State. Moreover, the dollar as remaining in the region Chamber's representatives, with tive salars, however low the dollar in China and Hongkong, and with of about 2/-; they never con-members of the Special Committee, should be made by the variable conditions of

may fall and that adjustment a considerable knowledge of the employment. The templated anything approaching had interviews both with mem-factor of the High Cost of Living third member of the Commission 1/6 (the figure to which temporary bers of the Commission and with Your Excellency, I feel, and adjustments have already been representatives of the Govern Allowance of 15% of 72%. The was, if he will allow me to say 80, an able and hard-headed business. am sure my colleagues also feel granted to sterling

salaried ment. The recommendations of thing specially devised for Gov-man, with long and valuable the tremendous responsibility people), how much more then is it the Commission have been which is imposed on us in having necessary to review the whole fully ventilated in the Press. The right in saying that it is in force of one of the largest concerns of its financial experience, and à great ernment seryants. I believe I am knowledge of local affairs, and head to deal with this subject, and of matter with the dollar at 1/3. full facts are before, us and I am to-day in at least one very large kind in the East. The great value the diffidence in being called upon Will it for one moment be contend- at a loss to know what the Hon. commercial firm in the Colony.

of his advice generally has been presented by such distinguished called

to consider the ther Committee on the Report-

Not Specially Privileged. The

recognized by Government In his land able men as those composing matter on the basis of these except delay-and as I said before,

the Commission,

The Hon. member also refers to appointment to be a temporary figures they would have arrived at the Government sees no sufficient certain advantages enjoyed by member of this Council, on which As for the Report, and bearing the same conclusions? It is for justification for further delay. Government servants such as pen- in mind how circumscribed are this reason above all others thatThe matter has been under con- sions, passages, housing or

I take this opportunity of tendering him my its terms of reference, I imagine I most earnestly beg Your Ex-sideration since early in 1928. allowances preferential rates for ful investigation, submitted to congratulations. This Commission, after a long and care- there can be little fault to find cellency to give effect to the The Commission took nearly a medical service, continuity of Government a valuable, well-reason with it; the Commissioners, with amendment.

year over its work-and another employment, safety of employmented and unanimous report. Govern out doubt, have discharged the

Committee, which my honourable and protection against dismissal. duty they undertook with the

friend was careful to point utmost fidelity.

out Now of these, preferential medicalment is unable to accept the sugges was to go in for

farther and rates have no practical bearing tion that a further body of the com wider investigation and consideri- above the lower grades. There is position proposed should be appoint tion on a much more

ed "ad hoc" to examine and, in fact, extended a certain continuity and safety of basis, might easily take at any rate employment and protection against criticize the report submitted by as long if not longer-and when unjust dismissal, but I doubt if

this very competent Commission. Its recommendations were receiv- they amount to much as compared neither complimentary to the Com- In my opinion the proposal is. ed, we might then be asked for yet with the security enjoyed by any mission, nor do the arguments put another Committee because condi- honest hard working officer in any Hon. Mr. C. G. S. Mackie.-- tions had undergone still further of the large commercial Arms. forward in its favour justify it. In support of the amendment changes and go we might go on The Government service cannot

Fall of the Dollar. proposed by the Bon, member re-piling Committee on Committee, be compared with the small bust- presenting the Hongkong General till hope deferred had made sickness employing a small number of to the fall of the dollar, conditions It has been argued that, owing It is at this point, Sir, that we

Chamber of Commerce Is Chair the heart of every Government clerks or assistants. It can only have materially changed, but I am come to the cross roads.

It is often said that comparisons man of the Chamber, wish to servant in the Colony, Many of be compared with large firths of the opinion that this fast does and through him, Mr. Shenton, have action to compensate their em-character and among these it recommendations that were made. but in many cases,

considering cession, that is to say ex-

Dat forward against the adoption ployees for the drop in the.dollar would rank probably as such an important matter as this change compensation down when so much public

the It is true, that the general recom- of the Report of the Sainries Com and it is high time that Govern- largest. The Hon. member speaks mendations were money is to 1/6, be regarded

to some extent Es involved it seems to me that only terests in the Colony have clearly of its dollar as well as its sterling-vants enjoyed the privileges he dollar would approximate to two mission. The principal business in- ment took action in the interests as though only Government ser- based on the assumption that the permanent concession and

by obtaining evidence from other as already granted, then employers in the Colony that both the Sterling and Dollar paid a reasonably contented service. Ifirms has not found it necessary

shewn that the present salaries of salaried officers. If it is to retain refers to, but which of the large shillings. At the leaving out the second 15%

same time, It fair and just conclusion could Officers compare favourably with was glad to notice the generous to provide some form of pension endeavoured to deal with the pos seems to me that the Commission (High Cost of Living), and less the further rent allow-Possibly be arrived at and in my

the ealaries paid to employees. in tribute in the Hon. member's or provident fund, some form of sibility of a jopinion the terms of reference ances recommended by the ought to have been wider in their All employers in the Colony have missioners. I associate myself in assisted passages and some sys should reserve the power to grant commercial and industrial concerns. speech to the work of the Com-medical aid, some scheme of recommending that Government greater variation in Commission, the cost to the

scope; much of the bitter feeling Colony will be $1,671,517. that now exists would then have recognized that within the last few that tribute, for the Government is tem of housing for its employees. a high cost of living allowance. As (e) The saving on the second been avoided. Surely those who and this has been allowed for in the Commissioners indeed, and that, but if I am not much mistaken you Secretary, Government, in view of years the cost of living has increased eatisfied that it had very able The details are difficult to obtain stated by the Honourable Colonial 15% (High Cost of Living) will have eventually to bear the would be $245,800, and on cost have a right to be consulted.

present scale of wages paid, parti whomever it appointed, it would will find that most of the large present conditions, proposes to deal cularly to locally engaged assistants not have been likely to obtain the extra rent allowance

The figures disclosed by the

aBanks, the Insurance Houses, the with the high cost of bving allow recommended $248,281,

Comparative Table I have just of the dollar is quite another ques

The abnormal drop in the value more equitable report.

Shipping Firms, the Ship-building ance by not bringing it into force. It must be borne in mind that read shews that wages paid by tion, but to meet this situation cm-

firms, and some of the larger with the dollar as low as it is to although the figures given include Government at the present time

Commercial houses. these things for their officers and the resolution

do provide day, and further, as is shown in the cost of pensions, they do not and wages paid in outside players generally have granted

moved by the include the cost of the extra Jemployment for the same

that the Government servants are Honourable Colonial Secretary, will their Sterling paid employees ED Military Contribution, which is on similar posts is distinctly in exchange compensation to help

not specially privileged in these not introduce such an allowance Civil Servants; the absence of trade this means

them out of their difficulties. In favour of the

respects. I may say those figures

severe tax on employers, a strain not obtained in any haphazard that some may find it hard to stand. fashion; they have been supplied It is also recognized that if the by one who has an intimate know present low level of exchange cou ledge of the facts.

tinues for a period the cost of living Government may retort by sayis likely to increase still more. This ing that employees in commercial firms are insufficiently paid-myment of wages, in the case of local- may necessitate a further adjust answer to that must be a repeat of what I have already read, "Wely engaged assistants. Any adjust ment, however, would be of n tem- porary natura

The Cross Roads.

:

(d) Should the temporary con- are odious-that may be true in endorse the arguments which he, the large firms have already taken employing large staffs of varied not fundamentally alter the basic

the basis of one-fifth of the revenue, less certain deductions..

Burden on the Rates. Now, how is this money to be found obviously by new taxation. At once we ask what form will it take?

A rate of 1% brings in $350,000, it will therefore require 7% on the rates to 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.

or

were

are com-

must cut our coat according to our cloth;" business firms pelled to do so and I fail to seo why Government should not do likewise.

Let us now consider the result of the Report, if it is adopted as If unhappily it should be true it stands. It must in the first that wages paid in this Colony by place inevitably react on all out business firms are too low, do not side employment-it is only blame employers, for there are natural if Government servants abundant reasons in justification, are given all round increases, out of which the law of supply and side employment will want similar demand is partly but by no means concessions, and the burden must, entirely responsible.

BATTERY CHARGING employers.

and all kind: of car repairs competently effected

by-

FIAT GARAGE

67, Des Voeux Rd. Tel. 24821

.

Kowloon's Protest.

The all round increase of 20% to dollar paid employees recommended by the Salaries Commission is, in the opinion of the business in- terests in this Colony, quite ur- justified,

a

Effect on Pensions.

I regret that, I do not quite follow the Hun. member's argument as re- gards Pensions. Pensions are based on salary on a scheme which is more

without reference to this Council.. or less uniform throughout the I cannot attempt to deal in my "As regards the basic sterling Colonial Services, and any recom-reply with the detailed list of salaries recommended by the Com mendations as to salary neces salaries quoted by the honourable mittee, I am of the opinion that sarily have a reaction on pensions; member. It is impossible for me they are not higher than is justi but the question of pensiona was to say if the figures quoted in the fied. Having regard to the cost of not specifically referred to the list he read out give any just com-living, similar salaries in Malaya Commission and it is not likely parison at all without knowing the appear to me to be higher, for, to make any radical departure tached to the posts of which the in dollars, the fact that the dollar that Hongkong would be permitted exact conditions of service at though the salaries there are quoted from the general principles on commercial salaries are the equiva- there is fixed gives them the effect which pensiona are calculated lent.

of sterling rates. My experience throughout the Colonial Services.

I need not refer to the Hon. there showed that, with a lower An Assumption Answered.

member's remarks on how the cost rate of salary, the recruitment of of the scheme, is to be met as I competent and suitable officers was The Hon. Member assumes that have dealt with this very fully almost impossible, and those, rates. the increases in 1919-20-21 were already. His conclusion leads had to be raised in order to ensure on a generous scale. He admits him to the amendment he has our getting the type of officer that. he has no evidence of this beyond proposed. As I have already said, WIS necessary. I am convinced... the fact that, to quote his words, Sir, this amounts merely to further after many years' experience in a. generosity was the order of the delay. No good is likely to come large Civil Service in one of our day." I deprecate most strongly of a further Committee on the Far Eastern colonies and pro this attempt to prejudice the report, nor is any greater finality tectorates, that it is absolutely es minds of Hon, membora by assump-likely to be reached, and the Gov- gential to maintain a high standard tions supported by so filmsy an ernment therefore regrets that it of Government efficiency. More is excuse. How gratuitous the as- cannot accept the Hon. member's involved than the mere carrying out sumption is can be shown by a amendment.

of normal duties, and it would be reference to the Hansard of 1919.

fatal, in my mind, to the welfare of à Colony to allow the standard to

inadequate salaries. This is the view of the Warren Fisher Com- mittee, referred to by my honour- able friend the Colonial Secretary. Increase Justified,

If the Council will allow me

I

should like to read what one of the HIS EXCELLENCY'S. VIEWS go down, owing to the payment of

Unofficial Members of that day

By the adoption of the Report of the Salaries Commission a heavy burden would be thrown on the tax payers of this Colony and would he reflected by a still further in of, course, fall on employers. {

crease in the cost of living. I un- Secondly, who will have to find I can state without fear of con- troduce

derstand-it is not proposed to in the money to implement the

an increase in the rates Report largely the big concerns my thirty years residence in this the immediate future if the scale tradiction that at no time during now, but this will be necessary in who pay the rates on their exten- Colony has it been more difficult of salaries recommended is brought sive buildings and undertakings. for commercial firms to balance into force. The result is, a very large propor- their books and come out ever so. Any action of the Government tion of the burden will fall on the little on the right side than it is which tends to place an additional If employers are called upon to to-day, and this applies equally to hammer on trade at the present time pay more in taxation and insurance, Imports, Exports, Whole-cern by all who are dependent on those engaged in Shipping, In must be viewed with graVE cort creased wages, the cost will in- sale and Retail trading, and I must the future prosperity of Hongkong. which I really meant to refer to OVERLOADED PERSONNEL. evitably have to be met by reduc confess I can see no

I understand that it is the ing the staffs, and the calling for prospects of an improvement.

immediate With these remarks I beg to

I had the honour of serving on the

opinion of many unofficials, both in increased efforts from

second the amendment proposed by

Civil Service Salaries Commission H. E. The Governor-Honour this Council and out of it, that those re- I received two days ago a copy the Hon. Mr. Owen Hughes.

and I was rather surprised when able Members, I think that it is de'there is justification for raising: 1 doubt whether anyone in this Government by the Chairman of of a letter addressed to the

I returned to the Colony to find sirable that I should give my views the salaries of a certain number of Hon. Mr. J. J. Patersonī Colony will argue that the present the Kowloon Residents Associa- would like to register my support been made on that subject. As though the matter has been so ade is some demur to an all-round rise. that no official announcement had on this question at this stage, Government officers, but that there is a propitious time to cast tion, expressing the alarm that is has been very fully dealt with by I may say without revealing any speech of my Honourable friend the granted

to the amendment. As the matter to our recommendations heavier and increased financial felt by members of that Associa the proposer and seconder I do not secrets, that we approached the Colonial Secretary that there does

I think quately, dealt with in the very able I submit that, once it is burdens on our trades and in- tion at the prospect of an increase

that the salaries, of dustries.

a number of these officers in the assessment tax.

matter determined not to lay our-not appear to be a great deal left (Continued on Page 11.)

talaed.

propose to say anything further.

said on the 1919 Salarles Revision. Hon. Mr. R. G. Shewan on pages I quote from the speech of the

101 and 102 of the 1919. Hansard.

"There is

matter only one

Payment of New Hates Mere Act of Justice.