THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 19, 1939.
Page - 11
Gendarme Refuses To Be
Released
LADY ASTOR WAVES FLAG OF REVOLT
"If I were to see my child work. ing auch long hours in a factory the red flag would not be red enough for me," exclaimed Lady Astor in the House of Commono. "I pray the House, to think serl- ously, and, above all, the young mon. I hope they will almost start a rebellion.
"It would be a good thing for the Government if you had a rebellion among the bright young things inside.
"We are shortly' to have a General Election, and it cannot be a good cry
+
By British
"Sit Down Strike" For Eight Hours Inside Barrier
Shanghai, August 12. AN EIGHT HOUR “sit down strike" staged by an obstinate member of the Japanese Gendarmerie at the British military barrier and police post at the corner of Yu Yuen and Tifeng Roads yesterday sorely tried the patience of British military officials from early after- noon until late at night as the man definitely refused to be released after he had been detained for a period of five minutes.
for the Government that industry Finally, at 11 p.m., he said goodbye to the British soldiers and policemen on duty there when he was taken away
needs children to work forty-eight hours a week."
Lady Astor was backing a Socialist protest against the hours of employ- ment of juveniles under the Factorles Act, 1937.
SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON HAINAN ISLAND
::
Asked if it were' true that two Japanese divisions were concen- trated on Hainan Island for an attack on South China, a military spokesman at the Japanese press conference in Shanghai statod that whether or not this report. was correct was unknown.
He added that even if it were true nothing would be allowed to be published.
"Probably it is true, cluded.
he con-
by members of his own unit in company with a foreign-proceeded to Jessfield Road, where
officer.
During the evening, as British sol- diers got in touch with the Japanese Gendarmerie in an effort to have the man removed, he was called to speak to his compatriots. As none of the British military officials present at the time understood Japanese. It is not known what he told his comrades but, as no one arrived to "release" him, it is quite probable that his ex- planation was a good one.
-it-stopped in front of the fortifled building formerly believed to have been intended as a residence for Wang Ching-wei.
Here it was seen that the pill- boxes surrounding the residence were manned by armed men and the Gendarme and his escort then vanished inside.
The gendarme in question, a lance corporal, first introduced himself to Mr. George Ridley (Soc., Clay Cross, the East Surreys on guard at the spot Derby) said that Section 71 of the at 3.15 p.m. when he deliberately Factories Act provided for a forty- walked up and down in front of sen- four hour week for all young people tries for some minutes before being between the ages of fourteen and six-stopped by, a Tommy. After being de- teen years,
tained for five minutes he was told that he was at liberty to go.
This he refused to do and after repeated assurance
that he was at liberty to proceed-an assurance was
The car in which the man was also made to his commanding officer driven away-licence number 12114. colleague. -he still insisted on remaining at the post.
But these hours might be increased by the Home Secretary [Sir Samuel Hoare] to forty-eight hours is he was satisfied that it was necessary to any industry.
"The Act permits conditions of employment for young people of fourteen requiring them to rise at 5.45 in the morning when they are drunk and drugged with sleep," he went on.
"They are too tired at the end of the day's work to cycle or swim. What part, therefore, could they take in the nation's 'keep fit' campaign?"
WOULD HARM COTTON
Seating himself on a chair in the control room of the fire station, under the watchful eyes of members of the East Surrey Regiment and Chinese members of the Shanghai Fire Bri- gade he made himself comfortable..
By this time the guard, at the spot was nonplussed and 'a' message was sent to the British military head- quarters. Soon afterwards a British military official arrived and the man Sir Cyril Entwistle (Con., Bolton, was again given to understand that Lancs.), said the Commission of In- he was at liberty to leave. Again he quiry stated that it would be gravely refused. Meanwhile, to pass away prejudicial to the cotton industry if the time, the lance-corporal left his young people were not permitted to seat on one or two occasions to stroll work in it, and it would not be in-around the fire station where he jurious to their health, and that their evinced a deep interest in some of the employment tended to train them and machines. secure for them permanent employ- ment in later life.
Mrs. Mavis Tate (Con,, Frome, Somerset) said that if the welfare of a trade depended on the over- working of young children, the sooner it was wound up the better.
Mr. Osbert Peake, Under-Secretary to the Home Office, replying to the debate said that about 500,000 juveniles under sixteen were working in factories. An inquiry had been, or was about to be, held on seventeen ap- plications for longer hours for juveniles.
As the man showed no signs of leaving he was provided with food by, the British soldlars and this he ate with relish. In the meantime, in view of the man's attitúde, Bri- tich officers telephoned to the Jay panese Gendarmerie... explaining
and the situation,
at about 6.10 p.m. a small two, seater car," bearing an 8.D.F. Ilcence, draw up to the barrier and two Japanese officers alighted.
JAPANESE. OFFICERS TAKE MAN
These men conversed with the "prisoner". for some time and then Mr. Peake gave the numbers of the left-without the "prisoner." By this young people employed in five indus-time it appeared as if the man would tries in respect of which draft regula- tions were issued or were going to be issued.
Was
The number between fourteen and fifteen years of age, ha azid, about 29,000, and between Rifteen and sixteen, years of age approximately 44,000.
A Court of Inquiry had recom. monded that the recommendation for the longer hours of forty-eight shail, in the couse of twelve. months, apply only to those of the age of fifteen and upwards.
Mr. Rhys Davies (Soc., Westhough-
never leave and more calls were put through. Finally he was taken away at 11 p.m. by two Japanese officers who were accompanied by a foreign officer and a certificate was issued to the Gendarmerie explaining that the man had been arrested for five min- utes.
DIVER'S BROKEN NECK
Philip Frey, an unemployed · man,
ton, Lancaster) sald of the British Em- of Walmsley-road, Dalston, E., who pire in relation to labour conditions: broke his neck diving into nine in- "It is an Empire" on which the sun ches of water at Westcliffe on Sun-
Later the car paid another visit to the barrier at Tifeng Road where a Japanese officer explained that he had come to pick up two books left by his
Bleeding Gums are a Warning-
Gibbs
USE
R
(TOOTHPASTE)
FOR TEETH AND GUMS
SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THE TREATHENT AND PREVENTION OF INFLAMID TENDER OR BLEEDING GUS (GINGIVITIS). AND PYORRHOEA
YOU NEED GIBBS "S.R
Soft, spongy, tender, bleeding gums cost you your teeth, however white and strong they seem. Do not risk this-or the ill health which diseas- ed gums bring. Use Gibbs "S.R." Tooth Paste. Regular use of Gibbs "S.R." clears up the unhealthy con- ditions-keeps the mouth fresh and sweet, the gums firm.
Gibbs "S.R." is best for teeth as well as gums, polishing them to gleaming whiteness, guarding precious enamel, keeping them sound and safe.
ASK YOUR DENTIST. ABOUT
Gibbs S.R.
(TOOTH PASTES
FOR TEETH AND GUMS
At Good Chemists & Stores
Sole Agents: John D. Hutchison & Co., Hong Kong.
Gibbs "S.R."
never sets and in which wages seldom day, died at Southend General Hos- TOOTH PASTE-night and morning
rise,"
pital.
The Socialist protest was defeated · In an effort to save his life he had. by-188 votes to 92.
been put into an iron lung
BAPBIO