ENG-1957 — Page 416

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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proved their usefulness as mouthpieces of public opinion, in the arbitration of clan and family disputes, and generally as a bridge between the Administration and the people. The New Territories is covered by a network of rural committees, 28 sub-districts being recognized for this purpose as rural committee areas. 24 have formally established committees, two have provisional organizations of a similar kind and one has its interests looked after by the committee for an adjoining area.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Appointments and promotions to most posts in the Public Service are made on the advice of the Public Services Commission, a statutory non-Government body established in 1950 with the object of improving the standard of efficiency of officers and of putting into effect Government's policy of giving preference in appointment, wherever possible, to well qualified local candidates whose roots are in the Colony.

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Monthly paid offices in the Public Service are divided into five classes. Classes I and II include those offices normally held by administrative or professional officers, or officers of similar status. Class III offices are held by more junior officers (including the Clerical Service) with an initial basic salary of more than $260 p.m. Class IV is for disciplined staff below the rank of Police Sub-Inspector (or equivalent rank in other departments). Class V includes non-pension- able officers with initial basic salaries of $260 p.m. or less. There are also a number of daily paid officers, who may qualify after varying periods of service for transfer to monthly pay.

The Public Service has more than doubled during the last ten years and now has an establishment of about 36,000 monthly paid posts and a strength of 31,865 officers. The annual expenditure on salaries is about $186,000,000, which represents about one-third of the total Government annual expenditure.