States, were deeply concerned at the ICSC action and at the rapidity with which such a far-reaching decision had been taken without consulting the General Assembly. Moreover, the technical basis for the decision appeared to be questionable. The discovery of a 25-year understatement led one to question the accuracy of other figures on which General Assembly decisions had been based. Finally, a change at the system's base was qualitatively different from a change at any other duty stations and, in view of its repercussions throughout the common system, should have been submitted to the General Assembly for a decision. 13. In the light of paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 31/141 B, the Ten had serious reservations concerning the action taken by ICSC. Although the European Community saw difficulties in revoking the increase, as had been proposed by some, there was merit in maintaining salaries at their current level, by not implementing the second phase of the 9.6 per cent increase. In that context, the proposal made by the representative of Japan was useful. An explanation of the financial consequences of the ICSC decision would be welcome. 14. The time had come for a thorough re-examination of the post adjustment system to ensure that it adequately served its original purpose -that of ensuring that, at any duty station, salaries of Professional staff members had equal purchasing power. current methods might not be achieving that. A number of questions arose in that connection. was the application of the system compatible with the Noblemaire principle? would Member States' confidence in the system increase if the New York base were to be fixed at zero and adjusted for increases in emoluments in the comparator civil service? Should not any change affecting the entire common 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a specific issue related to the salaries of staff members in a international organization, specifically the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The language used is technical and focused on the financial and economic implications of a decision made by the ICSC. This suggests that the category is likely to be related to employment, finance, or international relations.

**Category**
Employment, International trade