THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 22, 1989
Parliament Queries Payment To Reuters By Government
ALLEGED FRAUD
INCREASE OF
PROFITS OF
ON TYPEWRITER NEWS IN SEPTEMBER KING'S THEATRE
FIRMS
CRISIS
London, To-day.
DOUBLED
Mak Sum, alias Mak Kwan-wai, References to a £6,000 allocation to Reuter's which A net profit of $135,604.78,
alias H. I. Tam, alias K. K. Choy, 28, was brought before Mr. E Edwards this morning, charged with obtaining a portable type- writer from Wang Brothers and Company, and one from Carlowitz & Company, by false pretences.
It was alleged that defendant went to Carlowitz and Company and said that he wanted to take a portable typewriter home
for a trial.
Defendant described himself as a student of the Hong Kong Uni- versity, and promised to return it after three days, if not satisfied. Defendant was not seen again. De- fendant defrauded Wang Brothers in a similar manner.
He was remanded 48 hours for further enquiries. Det.-Sergeant Allen is in charge of the case.
WRIT STRUCK OUT
was revealed by Sir Shouson Chow. was paid as part of the cost of additional word-presiding at the meeting of the age sent in services to foreign countries during China Entertainment and Land In- vestment Co., Ltd. held to-day in the Crisis last autumn, were made during the the King's Theatre, debate in Parliament yesterday on the Foreign Office vote.
4
Sir Shou-son Chow said:-The net profit for the year, after providing for depreciation, and including $7,338.39
from last brought forward
year, amounts to $185,604.78 which is nearly double that of the previous year. This
increase is doubtless due to the influx of a large number of people into Hong
Kong owing to the hostilities still pre-
Lt.-Commander R. T. H. Fletcher (Labour) said he made no attack upon the business principles or integrity of Reuter's, nor did he associate him-vailing in many parts of China. self with any suggestion of partiality on the part of Reuter's.
He wanted
CHARITY SHOWS
We gave several successful perform- ances for the benefit of Chinese refu- gees and other charitable organisations, and I am glad to say that, thanks to the generous support of the public, we were able to raise a fair amount to add to charitable funds.
The Management have been very to caroful in the selection of pictures dur- dis-ing the current year. Pictures Bre chosen for their suitability to the taste of both our Chinese and European pa- introns, and I am sure that our line-up and of first class films this year will meet
with general approval.
to know, however, But the only condition on which whether the messages in respect Reuter's were willing to accept such of which Parliament was asked to assistance was that they under- sanction a grant of £6,000, were took nothing in return except confined to speeches and comments increase the amount of news favourable to the Government or tributed, whether they contained also critic- ism of the Government's foreign policy.
Fletcher also A Writ, claiming $106.73 for asked did any Dominion nows- Mrs. Paul Braga, was ordered by paper publish these services, and the Puisne Judge, Mr. Justice if so, how much of them?. Lindsell, to bé struck out at the Supreme Court this morning.
Lt. Commander
SINGAPORE CRITICS This order followed contradic- tory evidence given by the man- Lt.-Commander Fletcher quoted ager of Messrs. Jones Wong and criticisms of Reuter's in Singapore, Company, of No. 184, Nathan and added that in South America Road, Kowloon, in the witness-box and the United States, news this morning when the case came agencies were taking advantage of up for hearing.
this payment to discredit Reuter's on the ground that they received a subsidy from the Government.
Mrs. Paul Braga was sued for price of goods, alleged to have been sold and delivered to her by plaintiff firm. She denied liability, stating that the goods had been returned to plaintiff.
THEFT FROM MISTRESS
Mr. Philip Noel-Baker (Labour) said this £6,000 was a trifling sum
to Reuter's in view of their annus) turnover, but it might do harm abroad if it was thought that Reu- ter's service was, under the influ- ence of Government guidance.
- Mr. Samuel Storey (Conserva- tive), referring to the Singapore A 17-year-old amah, Chan Woo-criticisms, attributed these to the tai, was charged before Mr. R. A keen competition which existed be- tween the two Malaya groups of newspapers, one of whom wanted another service supplementary to Reuber's.
D. Forrest this morning, with stealing a diamond bracelet and a pearl bracelet from her mistress.
Inspector W. N. Darkin said de- fendant took the jewellery from the bedroom, during complainant's absence.
Defendant was bound over on a bond of $100,
SPREAD COST
Rejecting charges that Router's had a monopoly in Malaya and India, Mr. Storey said that by rea-
OPIUM IN BED D of their vast organisation,
FRAME
WBA
which enabled them to spread cost over large areas, Reuter's could Li Kwai, 30, unemployed,
distribute services at a price with charged before Mr. R. Edwards which other agencies were unable this morning, with unlawful -pos- to compete. session of 120 taels of prepared
They maintained complete dependence in the collection selection of news.
DID NOT WANT SUBSIDY
Reuter's did not want a subsidy, and it was only because they realis ed the vast importance to Britain of British and world news presented through British not through foreign eyes that they were prepared to take even this as sistance in their distribution..
Turning to the Investment side, I am pleased to report that all our shops and offices are occupied, and they yield us a regular monthly income.
60 CENTS DIVIDEND Out of the profit available for dis- recommend tribution, your Directors placing a further sum of $50,000 to being General Reserve and payment of £1
and Dividend of 60 cents per share absorb
$26,689.98 to be carried forward ing $59,914.80, leaving a balance of the next account.
to.
Messrs. Chan Kwai-on and Li Lin-chi were re-elected to the Board of Direc Mr. R. A. Butler, Under-Secretors, and Messrs. Percy Smith Seth and tary for Foreign Affairs, said that Fleming were appointed auditors.
The following directors, in addition the assistance to Reuter's was to the Chairman, were present:Mr. aim of which was to purely emergency arrangement, the K, Y, Chang, Dr. S. W. Tso, Messrs. Li secure the Lyen Chi, Li Jowson, Chan Kwin-on, publication of more British news.
Liang Chi-hao, K. C. Chang, and Chang Kwai-lin, and George Sun (Secretary). Among shareholders-present were Messrs. T. L. Lowe, Sum Wing-kwong, Li Kwok-ying, K. T. Chang, Li Shiu- ching, and Hong So-yin.
The contents of Reuter's services was left entirely free.-Reuter.
CZECHS DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT
Prague, To-day.
The Czech State President, Dr. Hacha yesterday sent a resolution to the President of the Prague Government, Dr. Beran, dissolving Parliament and Senate. No mention is made of new elections.-Trans- Ocean.
Reu- But for that organisation, oplum at the Po Tak Wharf yester's could not compete, as they terday. The opium was concealed had successfully done with heavily in a canvas bed frame.
subsidised news services put out by foreign agencies.
A fine of $2,000 or six months' hard labour was imposed.
$1,000 LOSS
A Chinese merchant, Lau Kun- man, of No. 11, Canton Road, has reported that while travelling in tram between t the Macao Wharf and Wanchal yesterday, a sum of $1,000 was stolen from his pocket,
INDEPENDENCE CLAIM Mr. Storey maintained that there was no other British news agency. organised to supply such services.
Referring to South America, Mr,"
FRANCE ORDERS DESTROYERS
Paris, To-day.
The French Admiralty announce that the Naval Minister has sign- ed an order for laying down four torpedoboats of 1,772 tons each.
SOUTH AFRICA REGISTERING RESERVISTS
Capetown, To-day.
The registration of first class re- servists in the South African Un- ion began yesterday.
make
in
a
General Hertzog informed Par- liament that the Government, the near future, would statement on its attitude connect- ing the European situation.--Trans- Ocean.
ESTHONIAN
Two boats will be built at the VISIT TO BERLIN
naval shipyards in Bordeaux. Trans-Ocean,
Berlin, To-day. The Estonian Foreign Minister, M. Solter, is expected in Berlin T. K. Wu, of No. 21, Robin- from Warsaw but will, according Storey agreed it was a serious con-son Road, has informed the police to a statement from the Estonian sideration if acceptance of any as that at about 4.30 am yesterday, Legation, have no discussions in sistance was going to enable any-scine person entered the home by Berlin but will continue his journey one to say that Reuter's was Gov- the verandah door, and stole to Budapest after a short stay in ernment controlled.
jewellery to the value of $180. the German capital. Trans-Ocean.