Takes Another Job
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Toc Young
A T 53
Sir R. Stanley Takes Another Job
r-E high cost of living is a cross to bear for retired Colonial —as it is for lesser Latest to take on another task, he had officially retired from the Colonial Service, is Sir Robert Stanley, until the end of last year nigh Commissioner for the Western Pacific. He left Honiara, on pre retirement leave, mid-1955, and has now been appointed Speaker in the Mauritius Legislative Council.
In these days, when men live longer, and it costs them more to do it, the Colonial Service retiring age of 55 appears completely un realistic. Tropical service 50 years ago usually entailed health hazards that are completely missing to-day; and there probably was the added purpose of making room at the top.
But to-day, a man of 55 is usually at the peak of his usefulness and quite apart from the economics of it has no desire to retire to a quite backwater.
The economic pressures of these post-War II years make retirement a burden and no pleasure. Most ex-Governors of 55 still have chil dren to educate and another job, in government service or outside it, is vital, and usually accepted as such.
However, when Sir Brian Freeston, then retiring Governor of Fiji, same years ago became Secretary- General of the South Pacific Com mission, one red-white-and-blue Tory in Fiji went on record as say ing that it was “undignified.”
Shades of the sentiments that lost us the Empire!