Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, August 2, 1890 — John Shaqi
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, August 2, 1890Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, August 2, 1890
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
_Anglo-In._ At this moment there are in the Service, in one department
alone--the Educational--a Senior Classic, a Second Wrangler, several
other Wranglers, and many Fellows of Oxford and Cambridge, who took
high honours with their degrees. The Service now requires great
technical knowledge, as it has to deal with Archæology, Finance,
Geological Survey, Public Works, and Telegraphy, and can only be
entered by Europeans, who have been selected by nomination, or after
competition, either by the Secretary of State for India, or the
Government of India. It is not an Uncovenanted Service, as we now
enter it with the prospect of pension; and one of our grievances
is, that that prospect has become less favourable through the recent
action of our employers.
_The Com._ Be kind enough to explain.
_Anglo-In._ Certainly, Sir. When we entered the Service our pension,
after serving thirty years, was stated by the Secretary of State to
be £500. Naturally this was taken to mean gold, but because years ago
the Service consisted of Natives, the Government hit upon the plan of
paying us in silver, which at the present rate means a loss of £150 in
the £500.
_The Com._ Are the members of the other Indian Services, Civil and
Military, treated in like manner?
_Anglo-In._ No, they are paid their pensions in gold.
_The Com._ Well, considering the class of men who now enter your
Service I do not see why you should be put at so great a disadvantage.
Have you any other grievances?
_Anglo-In._ Well, thirty years is a long time to have to serve in a
climate as trying as the tropics, especially when we are not allowed
to count furlough as service.
_The Com._ I think so, too. Then I may sum up your grievances thus.
You are educated men, and therefore deserve fair treatment. You
would consider fair treatment, payment of pensions in gold, and the
lessening of the years of service necessary to earn the right of
retirement?
_Anglo-In._ Exactly, Sir; and I cannot thank you sufficiently for
putting our case so plainly.
_The Com._ Not at all. Should you receive no redress within a
reasonable time, you may mention the matter to me again.
[_The Witness with a grateful bow then withdrew_.
* * * * *
THE SHADOW OF A CASE!
(_TO THE EDITOR OF PUNCH._)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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