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interview mentioned in Section 3 (5) it was stated that boys were absolutely necessary for much of this unskilled labour. In the work of boilerchipping, for example, we were given to understand that boiler man-holes were so small that they could only be entered by boys.
no
After seeing the work in progress we are not convinced of the validity of this argument. We have reasou to believe that in British ship-building yards adults are employed on this work, and we can see reason other than cheapness why boys should be employed in Hongkong. It is only fair to say that the physique of the boy's seen by some of us was good, but on the other hand such work could not be done by weaklings, and in the words of one of the employers-" It either makes them, or breaks them." It is probable that the law of the survival of the fittest operates with unusual severity in this work, but owing to the almost inexhaustible supply of labour the necessary standard of physical fitness can be maintained. The strain on the undeveloped boy under sixteen (16) (English 144) is too great, and it should not be continued. Chinese boys at sixteen (16) years of age are generally small.
(4) That the system of sub-contracting was prevalent in all classes of
unskilled labour.
The system appears to be a potent influence in depressing the standard of living, for the sub-contractor is usually concerned with both work and labour, and is compelled to make up by reductions in wages the cuts in prices due to successive transferences of the contract. Every addition to the chain of sub-contractors tends to react unfavourably on the earnings of labour. While the system continues, the Colony's labour cannot be expected to be in a satisfactory condition, but as it affects adults even more widely than children, we would exceed the terms of our reference if we made any recommendations in regard to it.
(5) That many children now employed in factories have been brought into
the Colony from the country specially for work of this kind.
In the course of the inspections this question was repeatedly asked, and in many cases it was found that the children had been brought from the country by some relative, who was then working in the factory, and that they had been in the Colony for periods varying from a few months to a few years. This indicates the existence of considerable financial inducements to workers in Hongkong to find posts for their relatives from the interior of China, and is of importance in regard to the popular argument that any measure of social reform in Hongkong would only result in an influx of needy people from the country eager to take advantage of the new conditions. If social reform meant money for nothing, some such result would probably take place; but if the right kind of economic inducement is held out to the people in the interior, a more desirable type of labourer could be secured,
6. As a result of the interviews with factory managers, and the visits to factories previously described, we are of opinion that legislation should be introduc- ed to give effect to the following recommendations:-
This
(1) That all employers of children be compelled to register then.
recommendation is meant to apply not only to factories and workshops but when practicable to employers of casual labour.
(2) That no child under the age of eleven (11) (Chinese) years be employed in any factory, or in any form of casual labour, and that in any case arising under this legislation, the onus of proving the age of the child be upon the employer.