ENG-1962 — Page 418

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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Executive Committee which meets monthly and consists of the chairmen of Rural Committees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace, and 15 ordinary members elected every two years by the Full Council. The Full Council also elects the chair- man and two vice-chairmen of the Kuk, through whom close and constant contact is maintained with the District Commissioner. During April and May 1962 elections for the 15th term of the Heung Yee Kuk were successfully completed under the District Commissioner's supervision as returning officer.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

On 1st April 1962, the establishment of the Public Service totalled 56,910, an increase of 3,643 over the previous year. The estimated expenditure on salaries for the financial year 1962-3 is almost $378 million, which accounts for 31% of the total estimated expenditure for the year.

The Service has expanded very rapidly since 1949 (before the influx of immigrants from China started), when the total establish- ment was about 17,500. This growth has been accompanied by a determined effort to fill as many posts as possible with local candidates. Much effort, particularly in more recent years, has been directed towards fitting local candidates to fill the more responsible posts in Government. Between 1961 and 1962 the percentage of administrative and professional posts filled by local officers increased from 40.3% to 43.5%; over the Service as a whole, the percentage of overseas officers is 3.2%. Much, however, remains to be done not only to provide opportunities for promotion but also to ensure that Government staff are trained to discharge their present duties efficiently. The nucleus of a training unit, established in the Colonial Secretariat in 1961, has now been expanded. It has reviewed departmental training programmes, organized various central training courses, and will play a major part in maintaining enthusiasm for improved training arrangements. Overseas training is also required, however, and 100 local officers went overseas during the year to obtain professional qualifications, many of them post-graduate. About $1,800,000 was spent on over- seas training in 1962.

The Public Services Commission continued to play a valuable part in maintaining standards in the Public Service, both by