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April 8, 1905.]
MORE ABOUT HONGKONG'S MEAT SUPPLY.
A cattle man interviewed on April 3 expressed himself as follows:-
There has been, of late, a heavy decrease in the amount of cattle exported from Hongkong to Manila. As a matter of fact there was a decrease in 1904, but nothing like the present decrease. (Mr. Adain Gibson, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, interviewed, admitted the decrease but refused to give figures. By his reports 31,598 cattle were exported in 1904 as against 34,9 17 in 1903, a decrease of over 3,000 | heid. The actual decreise in revenue under this head, at fifty cents for each of the cattle exported, would be $1,654.5 ').
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As the number of cattle imported to Manila from North China and el-ewhere is not on the increase, the only explanation for the decrease here is that the importation of frozen meat into Manila is on the increase. There has been some talk about frozen beef being imported into Man la at 2 (five cents gold) per lb., and, though this is quite feasible, up to the present the arrangement applies only to government contract, and not to meat for the market. This is quite evident by the fact that a considerable amunt of China beef, inferior to Australian beef, is still exported from Hongkong, The
at live weight selling rate present Kennedy Town Cattle Depot varies from 8 to 9 cents per lb. These cattle have to be taken from the depot to the wharf, and thence to the steamer in a junk. The freight to Manila is $74, and the beasts have to be fed en route. It must cost at least $10 head to land them at Mavila. Then there is the landing fee at Manila, cumsha to the first mate of the ste mer for looking after the cattle (this is the custom), and the Hongkong middle- man's profit.
The Manila minor officials, it is alle red, levy "squeeze." If the god the cattle go straight to the slaughter house, but if not they may have to be fed for some days. Numbers of oattle, moreover, die on the steamer. Allowing that the importer makes a profit, the price of beef at Manila must be at least one anilling per pound and not 24d.
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It is a curious fact that though the live weight price per lb. for beef in Hongkong has risen from 7 and 7 cents in. 1904 to 8 to 9 cents at present, the number of cattle obtainable is believed to be as big as ever, and the amount exported has decreased. The same applies to the rise in mntion, and the only explanation is that Hongkong being such an isolated spo', tha Chinese, mandarins and others, se a means of levying a good “squeeze.”
Interrogated as to his opinion of the Dairy Farm Company he said: If the Dairy Farm Company increased its capital and its shares were wider spread, this might be a means `of breaking up the Chinese guilds, but at present it is more expensive than the others. It charges 30 cents per lb. for beef, 74d.. and the Chinese only charge 22 cents, 5d. Now it only costs 31d. per lb. to land Australian frozen beef in England, and to land same at Hongkong should only cost 2id per lb. Allowing the Dairy Farm Company a penny extra, as they may not be doing this sort of business on a very large scale, they must be making a remarkable profit.
The Chinese charge 28 cents per lb., 7d., for matton, and, as it only costs 41d. per lb. to land Australian frozen mutton in England. it ought to be landed at Hongkong for about 3d, or 3td. per lb.
THE ABOVE ANSWERED.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. charge 30 cents for prime cuts. Dairy Farm prices range from 30 cents to 16 cents while Chinese prices range from 30 cents to 14 cents. Cattle-man argued that as it costs only 34d. per lh to land Australian frozen beef in England, it should cost only 24d per lb.to land it in Hongkong. As a matter of fact, Mr. Seth says, the freight to London is one quarter of what it is to Hongkong, s₺ that the c.i.f. value in Hongkong would be higher than in London without taking into account the larger ship- me ts made to London which would enable | purchases to be made on more favourable terms than could be secured for such consignments as would meet the requirements of Hongkong.
Mr. Seth added that his Corpany had never yet been able to buy in Australis at 24d per lb the quality of mutton and beef imported -y them. He further pointed out that in his estimate of what the price should be "Cattleman" had not taken into his consideration the large per- centage of wa-te when a carose is cut up
When everything is considered the conclusion is reached that the Dairy Farm are retailing frozen meat at as low a figure as they can pos- sibly afford, and we believe we are not mistaken in saying though freight is so much dearer to Hongkong than to London, the meat is retailed at lower rates here than in England
ARMED ROBBERY.
Chan Kong Fuk was on April 5th charged before Mr. J. H. Kemp in connection with an armed robbery which occurred at Kwai Li Village in the New Territory on the 22nd March. A number of men entered a house and carried off lothing, money and jewellery to the value of over $500. The robbers climbed on top of the house from the court- yard and made a hole in the roof. On getting in-ids they tied up the master of the house and subsequently secured and gagged the rest of the family. One of the robbers seized a chopper and threatened to chop up the master if he did not tell where his money was. They then broke open 8-veral boxes in the sleeping apartm uts and carried off their contents. Afterwards one of the children succeeded in freeing herself and then an1ied the rest of the family.
The case was remanded.
MAHOMEDANISM IN CHINA,
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Mr. J. Dyer Ball on April 2nd lectured on Mahomeduism in China. Extracts from his very interesting lecture are a◄ follows:-
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appear to have somewhat pliable consciences. This pliability of conscience has its sanotion in the Koran, for Mahomet touched by the imprisonments, tortures and sufferings his disciples permitted, as by Divine revelation, converts, under certain circumstances, to deny their faith so long as their hearts were steadfast in it.
This mosque was erected during the 7th Century A.D. There are four other mosques in Canton, where, altogether, there are 8,000 Mahomedans,
Were we to visit these places at the hour of prayer we would at first sight fancy we saw Arabians at their prayers; as the bright colours of the Chinese rubes and jackets are changed
The at such times to long white robes, and turbans of the same colour cover the head. wearers prostrate themselves to the West to. Schools are wards their holy city, Mecca. attached to these mosques where the children of Mahomedan parents are taught to read the Koran.
Arab traders visited China many years ago and the trade between China and the Arabian Sea caused them to even settle in China,
particularly at seaports such as Canton and The most sacred of the mosques Hangchow.
in Canton is one be ond the north gste of the oity. Here there is a small graveyard whers the remains of the earliest arrivals of those Arab traders, and missionaries combined, have rested for more than a dozen centuries.
The introduction of Islamism into Chias was
gradual, and for this reason there is difficulty in naming any exact date,
In early days the Mahomedans did not a'l come as traders, fór, as a reward for their assist- ance in quelling a rebellion, a force of Arab soldiers sent for that purpose were permitted to make China their home.
The famous city of Hangchow is one of the strongholds of Islamism in China.
CORRESPONDENCE.
MAHOMEDANISM IN CHINA.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.'
Hongkong, 3rd April, 818,-May I, as an admirer of the most pure form of monotheism extant, take exception to parts of Mr. J. Dyer Ball's last lecture, as reported in your deservedly popular journal ? You will permit me to observe that it is a subject of some public interest, lo ally, as Mr. Ball states there are two or three hundred purely Chinese Mahomedans in Hongkong, understand that those figures do not and
include half the followers of Islam who are to be numbered in our community.
Canton. On that altar is a tablet
From the deck of the anton steamer as you near Canton city, threading your way through thebusy throngs of junks, boats and sampana, you notice two pagodas raising their slender shafts
The part to which I object, as unworthy towards the sky, right in the very heart of the
Mr. Ball's reputation, is that where he men- old city itself. One is the usual pagoda, so common in China and so picturesque, adding tions the alter in the main hall of the mosque an air of pioquancy to the landscape; and the st other very dissimilar, not broken into nine stories as the Flowery Pagoda. It is really not a pagoda at all, but a smooth round tower of considerable height on the top of which is There is a another smaller tower, or minaret. staircase inside, by which ascent could be made to the summit, but this is kept closed.
Close by the tower is a building, the architectural features of which are those of Chinese temple, but no idols are enshrined within its courts As one looks into the large On main hall one sees a pulpit in the corner. the walls inscriptions are seen. In large Arabic characters the principal article of the Mahom- edan creed is emblazoned forth-"There is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet.'
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In the main hall there is an altar, on which
It is
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wishing longevity to the Chinese Emperor, placed
there by order of the Chinese Government. Mr. Ball says “Incouse is burned
before this, and it is said adoration is paid to
it.'
May I ask Mr. Ball who says adoration is paid to that tablet! I say that no Mahomedan adores it, any more than any Christian adores the Holy Table or Altar in any church which Mr. Ball may frequent.“
Although Mr. Ball offers no more than a mere "it is said," he is ungenerous enough to comment further," that Mahomedans should so far forget one of their first principles is wonder- Christianity is the only religion in ful," China which has refused this sot of adoration to a human being," and (most ungenerous of
somewhat pliable consciences.** all) "the Mahomedans in China appear to have
What shall I may of Mr. Ball's Christian couscience which permits him to say so much on the strength of "it is said "?
If the statements appearing_in_our Tuesday's issue on the authority of “A Hong- keng Cattle Man respecting the prices at which the Dairy Company are able to purchase appears 8. green tablet inscribed in letters of and ever. Incense is burned before this, and frozen meat in Australia are correct, the public gold "May the Emperor live for ever, for ever "That would agree with “Cattle-man" that the Dairy it is said adoration is paid to it. Farm Company must be making very sub-Mahomedans should so far forget one of
Mr. Ball is correct in saying that Mahomet, stantial profits. But Mr. Seth, the Secretary their first principles is wonderful
in Al Koran, gives his followers, in certain of the Company, in sa interview, traversed not surprising that Buddhist and Taoist mon-
asteries should have such tablets for worship, | circumstances, a certain latitude. Under stress. for they are idolatrous systems, but Mahome- they may deny with their lips what their heart believes in, and that without sin. But ål Karan is not alone in this. Mr. Ball's Bible h story of a man converted to Judaism who had permission to bow down in "the House of Rimmen."
the Cattleman's" facts, and smiled at his
conclusions. The Dairy Farm Company, said the "Cattle-man," charges 80 cents per lb for beef, while the Chinese butchers charge only 22 cents.
Mr. Seth explains that the charge of 30 cants is for prime cuts only; and the Chinese also
dans-
The Chinese government, however, insists upon this, aud Christianity is the only religion in China which has refused this sot of adoration to a human being. The Mahomedans in China