No. 178.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 14TH SEPTEMBER, 1878. 431
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
SUNDAY LABOUR.
The following Correspondence is published for general information.
By Command,
J. M. PRICE,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 14th September, 1878.
HONGKONG, 15th May, 1878.
SIR,-I consider it my duty to submit for your consideration the necessity which seems to me to exist for discontinuing, as far as possible, the employment of Chinese, and other labour, in Government departments, on Sundays.
Highly appreciating Your Excellency's cordial interest in the well-being of the Native population, I am induced to believe that the subject will, if it has not done so already, engage your anxious
attention.
Although, unfortunately, opinions differ among Christians as to the lawfulness of secular Recrea- tions on the LORD'S day, I am not aware but that the keeping it as a Day of Rest from manual labour, is a duty acknowledged by all.
And the terms of the Commandment which describes our Sabbath obligations, since they include "the Stranger that is within our gates," doubtless embrace the population who are residing here under our National laws and protection.
If circumstances could be pleaded in extenuation of the neglect of this subject in past years, the admirable opportunities presented by the settled and flourishing condition of the Colony, seem to make the call imperative for dealing with it, now, in another manner.
I earnestly hope, then, that Your Excellency and Council will be of opinion that all Chinese Coolie, and other labour, on Sundays, under ordinary circumstances, should be abolished in Government works; and that this proviso be made in future contracts.
The objections which may be raised against this course will be found, I am convinced, in- considerable, and will be altogether outweighed by its advantages, in the fulfilment of a duty; setting an example of consistency; and bestowing great physical benefit on a large nu labourers; besides ten 1:
promote the observance of the Sabbath, generally, and Foreign co It is prob
with the
Ching
the hund
For Ga trust that
r of industrious rst the Native
cause vine ausence of progress in the arts or civilization, together tment under debasing superstitions seen in heathen lands, and so notorious in a little due to the want of that Divinely appointed season of repose which enables invigorate itself by reflection and rest.
and for many others which will present themselves to Your Excellency, I Se induced to adopt the best and speediest means to relieve the Colony from the demoralization caused by the sights and sounds of Sunday toil under Government authority; and thereby set a befitting and widely influential standard for the practice of private individuals, and our Commercial Firms.
I have the honour to remain,
To His Excellency
The Governor in Council.
Sir,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
EDMUND DAVYS, Acting Colonial Chaplain.
[No. 403.]
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 16th May, 1878.
REV. SIR,I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, and to inform you that His Excellency the Governor agrees with you as to the desirability, if practicable, of stopping all Sunday labour in Government Departments, and that he will give the whole subject his best consideration.
I have the honour to be,
Rev. Sir,
The Rev. EDMUND DAVYS, M.A.,
Acting Colonial Chaplain.
Your most obedient Servant,
J. M. PRICE, Acting Coloni... Secretary,