THE LOCAL SHIPPING DISPUTE.
OLD.
OWNERS THREATEN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We publish below copies of corres- pondence which has passed between the China Coast Officers' Guild (and,
THE CHINA MAIL.
The following extracts from the the above.
יי,
BAD CITIZENSHIP.
COMPLAINANT WHO TAILS
TO ATTEND COURT'
also, the Marine Engineers' Guild of Wednesday, the 17th December next, local Press appear to us to bear out and other unlawful acts of a meas evidence said he was walking along || China) and the Owners concerned In until such time as a satisfactory set tlement has been arrived at with the prospective shipping strike-
reference to your Guild's letter of the The China Coast Officers' Guild,
24th November last. Hongkong Agency,
Ltd., the Brisbane S.S. Co., Ltd., the From various axtracts which have forty per cent, in the salaries of Wollowra S.S. Co., Ltd., Messrs. Bur- been published in the local Press and masters, first officers and chief kill & Sons, and the Un Man Chuen, which it appears to us must have engineers,"" who are owners of the various ships been inspired, and also from con- Unless your client is prepared to A CORRESPONDENCE NEW AND on the China Coast and who are also versations which have taken place deny the accuracy of truth of the members of the Shipowners' Protec between your client and Mr. William foregoing extracts. it appears to us. tion Association of Hongkong, to state) 500, it appears to us that the attitude abundantly clear that your client's that they have been notified that infor- which the Guild and its officers now Guild and the officers thereof have
Before Mr. Wood this morning, a marion, has been received by the Ship desire to take up, thereby endeavour actively participated in advising and Chinese was charged with picking owners' Frotection Association thating to transfer the whole legal re-inducing those concerned to agree to the pocket of a compatriot and steal- your Union has advised the European sponsibility from themselves to the a course of conduct, which, it carried ing a purse containing some pawn Officers on board the above ships not members of the Guild, is not war to the conclusion indicated in your tickets and some ter cent pieces.
client's letter, of the 4th instant,
The defendant pleaded not guilty- to take their vessels to sea from what-ranted.
would involve breaches of contract
A Chinese district watchman giving ever port they may be in after woon on
serious adture.
Des Voeur Road yesterday going We need hardly point out to you East, behind the defendant and a- that if the ships are held up as & other man. The complainant was result of any members of the Guild also walking along the road, but he unlawfully breaking their agreement was going West. When the defendant the damages suffered would be very got level with the complainant, heavy. On the evidence at our dis
witness saw him put his left. posal, we are confident that the Guild hand into the complainant's right and the officers will be lawfully lower pocket and extract the purse responsible for such damage as hav (produced). Witness at once arrested ing actively supported the men con- him, and the man who was walking cerned in their unlawful conduct 69, with the defendant ran away. The of course, also the officers, should complainant was unconscious of the they break their agreements.
theft until witness called after him. He then came back and identified the purse. The defendant then knelt down on the road and begged the
10. Des Voeux Road,
November 24th, 1919.
The Chairman,
The Shipowners Protection As- sociation of Hongkong. Dear Sir, I am instructed to lay before you a scale of wages which
As the Officers above referred to are under articles either-
(a) For a period of not less than 6 months determinable in Hong
kong, or
(b) Subject to 24 hours" notice in
Hongkong.
(a.) In the "Hongkong Telegraph”- of the 25th November last, under the heading "The China Const," the following appears
The China Coast Officers Guild and the Marine Engineers' Guild of China-are determined that their salaries shall be raised to the scale demanded."
(b) in the South China Morning Such a course of procedure as indi-Post of 26th November last, under has been calculated to be the minimumcated would entail the breaking of the heading "Demand of Higher on which the masters and officers who the contracts by the officers con Pay," the following appears- have the care of your valuable vessels cerned and would consitute illegal "The letter of demand has been find it possible to live respectably..
acts, against which an injunction can sent through the respective organisa- You are, doubtless, aware that the be obtained from the Court against tions of Officers and Engineers the China Navigation Co., Indo-China SN. Co.. China Merchant. S.N. Co.. your. Guild, the officers, thereof and China Coast Officers Guild and the in paragraph two of this letter complainant not to appear in court
4
·
"The owners who are now being
organisations.”
the officers concerned, together with | Marine Engineers' Guild of China." Hongkong. Canton, and Macao any damages arising from such Steamboat Co., and Douglas S.S. Co-illegal acts. have consistently paid a considerably I am requested to inform you that asked for increase by the men. higher rate of wages than obtains in unless my Association receive your vessels, which has been further written undertaking from your Guild enhanced by the addition of bonuses, on Monday next that it will refrain which latter have now been incor- from in any way advising the officers. porated in the wages.
to adopt the above mentioned In addition, these companies have
course.. or in any way induc» granted periodical leave on half paying them to adopt such a course passages home and out, as well as the owners will forthwith apply to pensions or providert funds, which, the Court for an injunction against if added to the salaries paid in those your Guild and all those concerned, vessels, amounts to a considerably and will hold your Guild the officers higher rate than those tabulated in thereof and the officers concerned responsible in damages. Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) S. T. WILLIAMSON, (Chairman.)
the scale below.
1трукци
Tunno,
Chief Second Think MIT OUT.. Ofear. Officer.
8. Des Voeux Road, Central,
Hongkong,
"We understand that both of the men's organisations are in the happy position of being provided worst comes to the worst, they are with ample fuads and that, if the financially prepared for any event- uality."
We are therefore compelled to press for an immediate and up equivocal answer to the question put Yours faithfully.
to give evidence against him. The (S) DEACON LOOKER DEACON & complainant was inclined to let the defendant go, but witness insisted on taking him to the station.
HARSTON.
S
To the Editor of the China Mañ.) The defendant said he used to
-work at the Dockyard but left owing. Dear Sir.-With reference to the to ill health. Yesterday he went to correspondence appearing this morn- West Point to buy some halt fish ing in the Hongkong Daily Press and as he wis walking along Dispute " under heading "The Local Shipping Des Voeux Road, West, the last wit Morning Post under heading
and The South Ching news suddenly pounced on him and The proceeded to beat him. Another Shipping Dispute," we enclose copies man then came up and told him to 3rd December, 1919, under the head-ness to
(c) The China Mail, dated the of a letter which we think, in fair shop but his assailant continued to ing "Local Shipping Dispute," the formed
our clients, should have beat him. He did not know why he part of the published was beaten. He did not ste the following extract appears
correspondence, and a further letter purse. which we have to-day sent to Messrs. Deacon. Looker. Deacon and Harston, and trust you will see your way to publish these.
"For this purpose the China Coast Officers' Guild and the Engineers Guild formed an amalgamation, this move being met by the owners of vessels forming a Hongkong Ship- owners' Association. The amalga mated Guilds then sent a letter to the Owners' Association, asking for The Shipowners' Protection Associa meeting at which the situation
Up to 250..$400 $275 $230 $220 251 to 500...425. 280 230 220 501 to 700...450 285. 235 225. 751 to 1,000...500 295 240 230 1,001 to 1,500...550 310 245 235 1501 to 2,000...600 325 250 240 over 2.000...650 350 260 250 5. T. Williamson, Esq..
An allowance for food and ice of $40 per month for river steamers and $50 per month for other steamers where fccd is not provided:
An adequate entertainment and transportation allowance to masters. where necessary.
In the interests of the maintenance
9th December, 1919.
ation of Hongkong
St.. George's Buildings,
Hongkong..
handed us your letter of the 6th Dear Sir, Captain D'Oliveyra has
instant written to him as Secretary"
could be discussed. A meeting of the two employees' Guilds was called for 3 o'clock this afternoon.”.
ber 4, 1919, under the heading the (d.) The China Mail, dated Decem-
Local Shipping Deadlock," contains behalf of Messrs. Moller & Company of the China Coast Officers Guild on the following extract:-
This reply will be discussed at
Yours faithfully, HASTINGS & HASTINGS.
(Copy)
10th December, 1919.
WAGES DISPUTE.
܀
chai and went to West Paint to buy By His Worship: He lived in Wan salt fish because it was cheaper there.
The watchman, in reply to his Worship, said the complainant saw the purse in the defendant's left hand. The complainant was not in Court.
Inspector MacDonald said that if his Worship was not satisfied with the watchman's evidence, he would. endeavour to get the complainant to give evidence.
Dear Sir, In view of the concerned have during the past until to-morrow at 10 am. fact that some of the shipowners
His Worship remanded the case) few days agreed to refer the
We hope his Worship will take matters at present in dispute to the trouble to explain to the com arbitration, it has occurred to our
of the shipping trade of the Colony (Hongkong), Limited, and eight other this evening's meeting of the Guilds," clients Captain D'Oliveyra and W. 7 plainant, if he attends, the duty al
I am instructed to request you to give this matter your prompt com- sideration in order that the masters
and officers concerned may be notified of the removal of this campe of grave unrest and discontent.
Trusting, therefore, to be favoured with a reply at your earliest con venience. I remain, Yours faithfully
(SA) L. D'OLIVEYRA,
(Secretary):
3rd December, 1919. The Secretary. The China Coast
Officers' Guild.
Dear Sir-With reference to your letter of 24th ulto. and mine of the 27th ulto. I beg to advise you that, after careful consideration,
the
Shipping Companies who are mem bers of the Shipowners' Protection Association of Hongkong.
We are instructed that the state- ments therein contained are incorrect. It is not a fact that our client's
Union has advised the European officers on vessels of the above Companies Act to take their ships
to sea.on the 17th instant.
Certain resolutions have been passed at meetings of the members, concerned, ramely, the Master End Officers of the above mentioned Com- panies, with awiew to obtaining a fair canalderation of their present
rievances.
(e) The South China Morning Post, dated December 4, 1919, contained the following advertisement:-
"Marine Engineers Guild. China Coast Officers' Guild.
informed that a combined meeting "Members of the above Guilds are will be held at the Guild officer, 10, Des Voeux Road to-day (Thursday),
December 4. at 3 p.m. sharp.
As matters of urgency have to be decided, every member in river and "outside' ships is requested to attend" (f.) The Hongkong Daily Press, dated the 5th December. 1919, under the heading "Local Shipping Deadlock," contained the following extracts:***
"The associated guilds decided, a increase of about 40 per cent. in the few days ago, to press for general
and chief officers."
Stokes, that there may be a possible citizen owes to the police and to way of arriving at a friendly settle society in st.h cases as his,
ment. With this end in view our clients propose to convene at once a meeting of the captains," with a view to ascertaining whether dispute, and sufficiently or that officers and engineers concerned bearing upon the pending shipping they will agree that the proposed so far as our clients are concerned, cessation of work be postponed in they are not adopting an unreason order to afford the shipowners ample able attitude, although it will of opportunity of offering some definite course rest with the captains, officers counter proposals to the present and engineers concerned to decide demands of the captains, officers and the matter to which reference engineers for an increase of pay, made in that letter.... either in the shape of an offer to refer the matter to arbitration, or in drafted before 10 o'clock yesterday We may add that the letter was
the shape of a definite offer of ad morning the 10th instant, and was vance of wages. Yours faithfully, delivered at Mr. Williamson's office (Sd.) Hastings & Hastings. at about 11 o'clock, whereas we only
received your letter of yesterday's) Shipowners' Protection Association which time our said letter to Mr. date at 515 in the afternoon, at of Hongkong.
Williamson must have been within your reach. You will doubtless have. seen that a meeting has already been convened as indicated in our letter when the proposed step referred to therein will be considered by the masters, officers and engineers, concerned.
Such course of action as may advised, by the Guild nor any officer be adopted is neither dictated, nor
possible to meet your demands, which the decision of the meetings of the they consider excessive when the individual members concerned, who, present state of the Shipping Market
should they decline take
vessels sea, will do
consequê 30 in
of their
owners represented by this Associa tion regret that they find it in of the Guild, but is in consequence of salaries of captains, chief engineers S. T. WILLIAMSON Esq.
is taken into consideration.
Regretting our inability to meet
remain, dear sir, yours faithfully,
"(Sd) S. T. WILLIAMSON,
(Chairman.)
The China Coast, Officers' Guild, Hongkong Agency,
•
than
to
to
Any action which the Secretary of the Guild, who has no voting power, the instructions of the members cer- has taken or may take, is merely on cerned, as whose paid agent be is acting. Yours faithfully,
•
邂
"The Secretary of the China Coast
(Copy). Officers' Guild, seen yesterday by a Hastings and Hastings reporter of the Daily Press, said he
8 Des Voeux Road Central, Hongkong. December 11, 1919.
you at the present time.-1 beg to own decision to that effect. Whener get in a position to disclose Solicitors and Notaries.
ther sach action may constitute a the proceedings of the meeting. The breach of agreement as between the Shipowners Association, he said, had individual officer and his shipowner definitely refused the increase of is a matter which may arise for salaries asked, on the ground that consideration hereafter.
With regard to the last paragraph DEAR SIRS,--With reference to the of your latter, we have nothing to the present freight situation did not allow them to think of increasing correspondence which was published add to what is stated in our letter of their expenditure. Some of the other at pour request in the Hongkong of 9th instant, except to say that Guild's ultimatum. The meeting Morning Post of today's date under financial or Companies had not replied to the Daily Press and the South China our clients have not promised discussed the situation for an hour the headings "Local Shipping Dis
case the suggested strike and a half, and it was decided to pute" and "The Shipping Dispute," should mature. What the members send another circalar letter to the since we presume your object was of the Guilds may decide to do here. shipping companies."
merely to give full information to after, our clients cannot undertake to (g) The South China Morning Post, the press, and public, it seems a pity dated 5th December, 1919, under the that such correspondence did not heading "The Shipping Trouble," also include the letter of which contains the following extract :- a copy la enclosed, which was sent "As the result of their deliberato Mr. S. T. Williamson yesterday by tions, we understand, letters will be us, since such letter has an obvious and Harston.
tion Association.
J
10, Des Vœux Road, Hongkong, December 4. 1919, The Chairman, Shipowners' Protec Sir, I am instructed to inform you that, the request for an amend- ment of salaries as per the scale for.
(Sd.) HASTINGS & HASTINGS. warded on November 24 in the ships
December 10th, 1919. controlled by your Association not Messrs Hastings & Hastings, having been acceded to, the masters Dear Sir, Your letter of the 9th and officers of the vessels concerned inst. addressed to Mr. S. T. William will hand in the requisite notice and son and written on behalf of the will refuse to take the vessels to sea, Secretary of the China Coast Officers' from whatever port they may be in, Guild has been handed to us. after noon on Wednesday, December
Regretting the necessity for this decision. I remain, 'yours faithfully,
(Sa) L. D'OLIVEYRA, (Secretary).
We are instructed to ask your client forwarded, to-day to the owners
17, until such time as a satisfactory to kindly inform us whether his Guild announcing that the member insist settlement is arrived at.
and the officers thereof deny that on their demands being met. The. they have in any way advised men, it is understood are ready to the members of the Guild or in any fight the matter out to the finish, and way induced members of the their reserve funds are believed to be Guild not to take their vessels to sea sufficient to see them through a pro- from whatever port they may be in tracted struggle.. after noon on Wednesday, the 17th The Hongkong Daily Press, dated instant, until such time as a satisfac- 8th December, 1919, under the bead- tory settlement is arrived at with re-ing "The Strike Danger in Hong- ference to the Guild's letter of kong," contains the following November 24. last, or whether the extract :---
6th December, 1919.
L. O D'Oliveyra, Esq.,
Secretary, The China Coast Officers' Guild, Dear Sir, I am requested by Messrs. Moller & Co. (Hongkong), Ltd., the Chong Yue 5.5 Co., Ltd.,
Guild or its officers have actively "The China Coast Officers' Guild supported such a policy by promises and the Marine Engineers' Guild the Luen Hing S.S. Co., Ltd, the Lai of financial assistance in case their have combined to ask the owners of Hing SS. Co., Ltd., the Po Shun SS. suggested strike should mature, or the smaller local river and coastal Co, Ltd., the Innamincka S.S. Co., in any other way?
trade steamers for an increase of
say.
other assistance - in
Yours faithfully, (Sd.) HASTINGS & HASTINGS. Messrs. Deacon, Looker, Deacon
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