Page
HONGKONG'S FOOD PRICES, WHY HIGH EXCHANGE DOES NOT AFFECT THEM.
WE ARE A LUCKY LITTLE ISLAND."
Mra. 3. I see the exchange has gone up again, and yet Messrs. So and So charge exactly the same for tea, and even bave the impadence to increase the price of shora
Mr. X.- OE, is that so?
Mrs. X.-Yok, and yet people keep tell ing me that the dollar is worth so much nore; that we should get more for our money, and that the prices of household goods should be reduced. But nothing of the kind has happened. Why 1
Mr. X. (somewhat languidly)-I don't know.
Mrs. X. No-one seems to know, and my housekeeping bill becomes heavier each month It does not seem right. And what is that Food Committer doing? Many such conversations have occurred in Hongkong hous holds since the rapid
zíso in exchange; and the Food Com- mittes have invariably been blamed for allowing the grabbing shopkeepers." to
SHANGHAI RACES.
THE CHAMPIONS.
PAR HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17rm, 1916,
The result of the Champions run at Shanghai on the third day of a very successful Spring meeting was as fol low-
wionere
CORRESPONDENCE.
INDO-CHINA SHARES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ HONGKONG DAILY PRESS.].
Sin,
There have been so many opinions THE CHAMPION SWEEPSTAKES. Value, aired in connection with the distribution TI«... 1,000, Second pony, Tis. 300 of the Indo-China profits for 1915. 80 Third pony, Tls. 200. For all China
n this Meeting many remedies suggested to make the Weight for inches ns per scale. One Directors mee eye to eye with the majority mile and a quarter.
of the shareholders es to the inadequacy Mr. Henry Morriss bay Beaconsfield
of the dividend which was improperly * M (Mr. Stewart)-1 Blix's bay Hazelnut ...(Mr. Hill) 4 declared, sumours of injunctions, and Major Nathan's grey Faragon
what not, that I ask agam the hospitality (Mr. Watts)-3
of your columns to place some further Messrs. Toeg and Speelman's dan Sir
Victor (Mr. Jolinstone)-0 views before my follow-shareholders, who Mr. Cire's ches, Candlelight
are still sojourning in the wilderness. (Mr. Mollor)-0
(Apologies to
es to the mover of the
the amend Fay's brown Nirvana
(Mr.
Heard)-0ment at the meeting). Lamerion's grey Orris
(Mr. Rowe)--0 Durgor's grey Concessions
In common with other shareholders, desired a nodding acquainance with the (Mr. Vida) 0 Company's Articles before the meeting Messrs. Toeg & Speelmana dun Sir
I confess to the glaring fault of not Lanierock (Mr. Williams)--0 The race of the meeting was nothing studying them before purchasing shares. out of the ordinary save
Certain friends who applied for copies
a runaway
MR. MODY'S MOTOR-CAR-
RESULT OF MAGISTRATES
INSPECTION.
Yesterday Mr J. R. Wood gave his judgment in the case in which Mr. J. H. Mody was charged with having
motor car the rear plate of which was tif aufficiently illuminated, * It will be remembered that after bearing the con- ficting evidence Mr. Wood decided to in-
pect the light himself as a result his finding was as follow: 1 inspected motor our No. 21 in company with Mr. 1. Jenkin, Deputy Superintendent of the Police Reserve, Mr. J. W. Franks, Assistant Superintendent of the Police Reserve, who is the complainant on the summons, Mr. H. Gardiner, the solici tor for the defendant, and Mr. Lauritsen, manager of the Dragon Cycle Company, who has charge of the repairs of the car The number plate was large enough. It more than complied with the measure- ments required by the regulations. The number was illuminated by an electric lamp from above. Owing to the relative
plate, the lamp did not properly illumin position of the lamp and the number
ute the lower parts of the figures. But
INTIMATIONS
LANE
CRAWFORD &Co.
ESTABLISHED 1850,
TELEPHONE 1741,
ICE CREAM
CREAM FREEZERS.
TRIPLE
MOTION
1 QUART
ΤΟ
12 QUARTS.
DELICIOUS
MADE IN
TOES
3 MINUTES.
STOCKED
IN
10 SIZES.
ALUMINIUM COOKING
UTENSILS.
victory for Beaconsfield, whose jockey before the meeting were told by the General Managers that only one copy of rode a good race. Hazelnut led at the start with Paragon second and Candlebred with. On Saturday last a new the Articles existed, and this could not light third Hazelnut had a lead of two copy containing the resolutions passed in
this was the view popularly held in Beaconsfield a similar distance behind the Colony, & representative of the and Sir Victor four lengths away into me. I have had a profitable week end, to decide here. At the inspection, Mr. Daily Prese yesterday interviewed the fourth place. At Probst's Corner Bea and now wish to pass on some of the in-cakin stated that the light from the Lamp was then much brighter than the manager of a large Hongkong general consfield took the lead from Hazelnut by formation gathered, store at which the majority of Euro-half a length and at the half-mile post In the first place, Messrs. Jardine,light had been on the occasion of the peans deal, and he obtained some in- had two lengths in hand. Thus they Matheson & Co, Ltd., and their succes-alleged offence. The conclusion which I teresting particulars which, summed up, raced into the straight, Beaconsfield sors are General Managers not by virtue draw from the evidence is that owing to go to show that the local shopkeepers obtaining a further advantage of five of any share qualification, but they shall the fact that the glasses of the lamp were strongly hold the opinion that Hong or six lengths, winning in & common be entitled to hold office if they continue not properly cleaned, the light was dim. kong is a very lucky little island that cauter, with Paragon, three lengtas be to perform the duties thereof with fides on that occasion and the licence number lity and reasonable skill and diligence was not then easily distinguishable; but the prices which rule nt the present time hind Hazelnut, in third place.
Far be it from me to suggest that their that after the car was stopped, and the for household necessaries are very reason-
duties have been otherwise performed. sable, and that had there been no risc in
Tamp examined, the glass became con- It is interesting to learn that the siderably cleaner and that the lamp was exchange we should have had to pay
remuneration of the General Managers seen in tits more satisfactory condition much more than wo are paying for these
by Mr. Lauritsen and by Garrison Sergt.- goods.
Major Hurle. No doubt, in the irrita- tion of the moment, when his car was The Chairman of the recent meeting stopped, Mr. Mody was not as ready to
rights of the General Managers have unsatisfactorily as he would have been been waived to some extent for a number had the subject been brought before him of years on certain charges, but their in a more impartial mood. In his cross- reinstatement is now under considera
Examination, Mr. Gardiner suggested that the Police officers had been off- In
cious in bringing:
ake abnormal profits. Realising that lengths at the mile post from Paragon, London in December last year was lent this is not the point I have been LIGHT IN WEIGHT BRIGHT AS SILVER-DO NOT RUST
Time-min. 48 3-5sect.
Cash sweep:--Nos. 6,820, 456, 1,307.
these things, and accuse us of grabbing shall be reasonable, and that, failing It's absurd.
agreement, the differences are to be set The infated exchange does mottled by arbitration. affect us at all, because we do not gamble
(I know people are of the opinion that they are being robbed right and left, said the manager, “and that they on exchange. We cannot fix our prices in replying to question 3, stated that the acknowledge that his lamp was working
are encouraged in this belief by people who bave absolutely no knowledge of the business at all. If they had they would not speak and write as they to People seem to furget that, for most things, they pay exactly the same price for goods when the exchange is low as when it is up like it is at present; and we do not always get the same amount of profit. We allow 333 per cent, for pre- Et, but we do not always get that, simply because we maintain priers at the same. level despite fluctuations in exchange.
In some instances, where the exchange a real loss, or otherwise, we causes naturally arrange our prices according ly. Today, you see, the dollar is worth rough 28. ad. Well, if a person comes in for a dozen tins of sardines, and the like, instead of paying, say, 81.35 a tin he will be asked to pay only 81.20 or 31.25, whatever it costs us.
"We cannot be expected to alter our prices directly the exchange rises. We have been bitten too many times be fore. We have stocks to exhaust which we may have purchased four, five or six months ago.
We don't buy stocks on the band to mouth principle. And when people clair that their goods should be cheaper because of the high exchange they seem to forget the increases which have been made in the prices of the goods which we obtain from Home. In some cases these have gone up not by 10 per cent, or 20 per cent. but by 40 and even 50 per cent, and there is a line here which has gone up 200 per cent, since the war began In many instances we have not increased ou
our prices, and thus.
on the basis of the exchange ruling each day. We are a trading store, and if things cost as more, well, then, people have to pay more, and if the goods cost us less the public get the benefit, for they pay less. Prices have gone up in an amazing manner; in the case of materials
much as 300 per cent. People ory out against this. Why don't they ery ou against the increase in the price of whisky? That has gone up and people do not seem to mind, and it will further increase. I have a letter here now show ing that brandy has been increased in price. Yet, despite the enhanced prize, we have almost sold out of whisky, and shall be forced to restock at a further increased price. People seem to forgt that there is a war on.
And there is another thing People come to us and say: ' Such and such
Ah if we are not good, etc. With all deference to the Directors,
it to the shareholders that they should be notified that any agree to regulate the General Managers charges shall not be effective until ratified by the shareholders or Commitee of them appointed for that express purpose, Shareholders are warned that the Board has the power to enter into contracts, and to their own interests shareholders should take the step stated above imme diately.
a thing has been increased by you, yet to carry on the business of merchants in
INCLUDING
OR
CAMP COOKING OUTFITS FOR TWO, THREE
FOUR PERSONS. CHAFING DISHES. COCKTAIL SHAKERS, TEA AND COFFEE POTS, CAST KETTLES. CAKE PANS. SAUCE PANS. FRY PANS, ETC.
“O-CEDAR" POLISH
MOPS.
O-CEDAR” DUSTERS.
MAKES IT EASY TO CLEAN
THOSE HARD-TO-GET-AT PLACES.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
inging this charge. During HONGKONG, CANTON, MACAO &
the invention of this car All who were resent used the opportunity to observe
lamps of a number of cars which Tere passing at the time. I think the suggestion made in Court was unneces- sary and 1 do not in any degree associato myself with it.
A fine of $10 was imposed.
Directors in reference to the £13,770 Replying to question 4, the Chairman transfer to Underwriting Account, nor to stated that the General Managers' firm the £35,000 10 General Reserve, the trans- also traded as coal merchants, The Comfera being worded in such a manner in pany's Memorandum gives it the power the report as would lead shareholders to suppose that they were merely recom- mnendations. I have no doubt such was the intention of the Board, this being emphasised by the resolution proposed, which included the appropriations. If the Directors intended to exercise their discretion in the matter why were the amounts not dealt with in the Balance- transfer to sheet, as in the case of the t Special Repairs and Renewals Account, 10.000 And why the resolution unt In view of this one is forced to the conclusion that the Chairman's ruling lapthat the amendment was out of order was erroneous unless the Board decided to exercise their right under Clause 4 at a time which coincided with the Chair- man's announcement, and conveyed their decision to the Chairman by telepathy! This savors of comic opera, and reminds me of the lines
a certain, Chinese store can sell the same all its branches. The highly lucrative thing at a cheaper rate, and they hint business of buying and selling coal is that the same Chiness storekeeper does therefore, within this power. Why should not take a mean advantage of the market not the Company then, at least, contract prices. We know they sell in this way, for their requirements direct with sup And why! They know our business pliers, and save the middleman's profit? almost before we know it ourselves, Do the General Managers also trade as These Chinese store-keepers have huge ship-chandlers! Has the Company bound stocks of stuff We suddenly decide to itself to buy exclusively from one source? send for a shipment of a certain article. If so, we are in the grip of an octopus. which has to be paid for at the new Shareholders have no reason to congra and higher price Do you know that tulate themselves that the coal contract these Chinese are made aware of what for 1910 was fixed by the London Board we are ordering and they at once-fix a presumably, before the recent phenomenal on the stock which they hare, and rise in the price of fuel. The General price on the when our new goods arrive we are forced Managers would never have sold a couple to sell at a higher rate to prevent of hundred thousand tons of coal with
acting with the suppliers a loss. The only satisfaction is tha
that out contracting
slways oled at my party's, call, Aml never thought of thinking for myself
at all *** I thought so little; they rewarded me
our goods are new, We could not sell Rumour has it that the Government By making me & Director of the Compance.
we look to the exchange to help us at the same price as the Chinese in this licensed broker who is paid 50 cents per know the exchange is 20 per cent. higher instance. He gets in a big stock which than it was three months ago, but if cests him very little, and, according to coolie passenger to the Straits is an the market, gets 20 per cent on it. We employ of the General Managers. If the this had not been the case we should have have to give the advantage to the bad to increase our prices. This rise customer, whatever it may be. People emplos retains this, good luck to him in the exchange does not help us much, price of goods on account of the exchange deducted. The Chairman said that the cannot expect any reduction in the If not, who receives the commission so but it helps the consumers, who would at the present time for we do not know me a pa
how long it will be up, and, as I said gross amount charged was $20 per pas otherwise have to pay more for their before, we have our stock to dispose of, Benger. Will your correspondent of the less to bring this to the notice of the
We in Hongkong are getting our food
goods.
Granting for the sake of argument, that this is the manner in which the Com pany's affairs are conducted, the amend meat was out of order only to the extent to which the increased bonus encroached on the Reserve Account, Damely £5,000. The
ward, $12,994, in an increased bonus. It amendment was good in so far as it related to the division of the carry for- was not, however, the Chairman's busi
nesting. Not that it would have affected the issue bad the amendment been put to the meeting
The
Chairman made comment
"People seem to forget the enormous as cheap as we shall ever get it. In 1913 8th inst who signed himself Fairplay
we were paying the same for many state when the higher rate of $23 com- difficulties which have to be contended articles as we are paying now, when
on the "Excess Profita Tax beyond with at Home in getting things, say, from there is a war on. We are a very lucky mented?
little
eland, indeed to my
way of
Shareholders were not told why the remarking on the great uncertainty of the intentions of the Home Gov midland towns by rail to Liverpool or thinking.ommitte was an obviously London, and the delay; and in many
Committee was an obviously payment of 23,243.50 by the Government ernment. The map in the street, instabon where wo have ordered at cer questioned on the subject, he exclaimed, does not belong to the Company. The Charges Should it be decided that the ertender spot with the manager, for, when for opium seized on the Fernsang rightly or wrongly, bas placed the amount at £100,000, included in General tain prices the goods are eventually sent And look at the rot some people are Company has paid fines in Manila be- Company have to pay a larger cum on
talking about that! 1 am & member of to us at the increased price ruling at the the Committee and though no meetings cause of the ships crews smuggling Lais account, may I suggest to the Direc tors &way by which the tax may be time of shipment-not at order, mind have been called of late, there was an opium Should not the amount received reduced by 15 per cent. I notice the you-and we can either accept them on inquiry into prices about a month ag2 be considered as a mall retura proffs have been determined in sterling
It seemed that a certain body of Govern those terms or go withoui, Also, charges ment employer had expressed the opinion In perusing the Articles I could not have gone up, they have been increased that their salaries were not equal to the find on what ground Clause 96. placed the increased price of commodities, and an rgea. Agnin, of course, we have war the prices were gone into, the prices which out of order. Clause 14 giver the Direces could be magu
WEST RIVER STEAMERS.
JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG, CANTON AND MACAQ STEAMBOAT CO., LTD., AND CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD.
HONGKONG-CANTON LINE.
Bingle Fare by Night Bimmer Beturn
(available also for return
by day steamer) tingle Fare by Day Steamer Retora
$6,00
11.00
16.00
9.00
CANTON TO HONGKONG.
HONGKONG TO CANTONA |
WEDNESDAY, 17TH
MAY 1916.
8 mm HONAM,ZOU 10 pm. FATSILAN,
THURSDAY, 18TH MAY, 1916, .
6 am, KINSHAN. 10 pm. HONAM
8 m. FATSHAN,
pm. KINSHAN.
Bam, HONAM.
6 pm. FATSITÄN, HONGKONG MACAO LINE.
88. BUI TAL, Tozu 1,651. | 8.8 LEUNGSHAN.
HONGKONG TO MACAO. Week days at 8 and 2 pm. from the Company's Wing Lok Street Why Condays si § 8.1 and 1 p.m. from the Company's Wing Lok Street Wharf.
MACAO TO HONGKONG
Work day at 7:30 am, and 2 p.m. Bundays at 7,30 am, and 5 pt. EXCURSION TO MACAO,
BUNDAY 21ST MAY, 1916.
The Company's New Steamship
« TAISHAN "
Will depart from the Company's Wiko Law STRENT WHARU 11 3 mm, and soften Gross Kimono nå 5 pm, NN.B. The Company wil also ran a Steamer from Macs on Sunday at 7.30 MALA
und from Hongkong si 1 pa. from the Company's Wing Lok Strond Wharf,
This Stesmer connects with the Excursion Steamer returning from Macao at £ p.m.
"FARES (AB-USUAL,
MACAO-CANTON LINE
9.8, SUI AN.
Departures from Mimo to Canton on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, al 9 pun Departures from Canton to Mseso on Tuesday, Thursday and Baturday, at 457 pm.
AND MACAO JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG,
STEAMBOAT CO., LTD., THE CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD. AND THE INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD. CANTON-WUCHOW LINE
8.8 SAZNAM, 588 ions, and 8.3, NANNING, 569 tons.]
On of the above Blesmere leaves Camion for Wuchow every Monday, Wednesday and #TIZAT, at sbout 8 sm., and the other les ren Wynohow for Canton on the mains days a§836 236, Bound fripe inks about 5 daya, Passengere can return to Hongkong or vice verna by kka Company direct Shenmari LINTAN and BANUL, The > Tonsole have emperion Cabin webommodation and a lighted throughout by electricity Electris Fan in ench Calus,
Booking Okos open daily (Bunday excepted) 9am to 5 p Farkhor, parkomate juny: bo obsained 24 the Office of themm
HONGKONG, CANTON & HACAO STEAMBOAT Co., Ltd.
»Hotel Mansiona (First Floor), opposite the Blake Pler.
SANATOGEN CO. (CHINA).
[183
HEAD OFFICE 1, Tax BUND, SHANGHAI.
preparations SANATOGEN, FORMAMINT, ele, DEG to announce that their, B Premade exclusively at the PENZANCE (Cornwall, ENGLAND) and shareLONDON WORKS of the SANATOGEN CO., LONDON
by 10 per cent. simply for shipping inquiry, was held as a consequence. All amendment moved by Mr. Humphreys at present rates The extra 74. Perintheir Company is exclusively BRITISH and, is included in the "WHITE LIST”.
zisk, which has gone up to £4 per cent
and marine risk. This has been a very serious item. People seem to forget all Continued on next Column.)
we have to pay and the increased
charges, and it was found, striking an tors power to appropriate to the Reserve average, that each article had gone up Fund such sums as they think fit. Thi 25 per cont. on account of the war. power had not been exer
His last remark wes - It will do
some people good to bow these facts
at 1/11 to the dollar. Have the Direc tors thought it worth while to cover the ability of 2100,000 by fixing exchange
almost paid out of exchange proft alone.“
Finally, an analysis of the voting at the annual general meeting would be of Intert
DEFERRED AGAIN Hongkong, 15th Mar 1916
issued by the CONSUL GENERAL, SHANGHAI
They have appointed Mesars MOW FUNG & Co. to act as their Eola Wholesale Agents for Hongkong and South China, who will maintain stocks and supply their Goods at Prices which can be obtained on application to their Office, No. 10, Dis Yeux HoAD CENTRAL