§ 34. Mr. DIXONasked the Secretary to the Treasury why payment by merchants to Custom House preventive officers for overtime work has been disallowed?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe old system of direct payment by merchants to Water-guard officers has been discontinued, because it gave rise to anomalies, and frequently operated inequitably as between one officer and another. Under the new system all officers are treated alike, overtime being paid direct to them by the Board.
§ Mr. DIXONIs the hon. Gentleman aware there is very great dissatisfaction at having this right taken away, and will he allow the overtime to be paid?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThey get overtime paid under the contract.
§ Mr. DIXONIs it not a fact that you only allow that after forty-eight hours' work? They are ingenious regulations. You cheat them out of it.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe men's scale of overtime is working more equitably between the different officers than the old system.