HONGKONG SANITARY
"BOARD.
CHILD LABOUR IN HONGKONG,
THE NEED FOR FACTORY
LEGISLATION,
The fortnightly metting of the local Sanitary Board was hili? yesterday under the pülency of Mr A. Hilea. The othery present were the Hon. * Mr. & M. Chatham, the Hon. Mir . 41. Mabaster. M. B. B. T. Bowley, Eirat. Fol, Crisp Dr. g. M,6%, worio Mr. (late Kai-ming, Mr. M. W. Tso, Mesa, D. tickling 43. 4. B), ameli. Mie. W. H. Wordley
Segretary).
k
The CHAUMAN nisted that the report of the sub-committee on the limitation of the ages and hours for employment of children and the prevention of over. crowding in factories in Inid on the table, He informed the Board that the report, which had been circulated, was practical. Ta vanhuulive in the motors which Mr "Bowley, was about to move.
MT ALABASTER seconded and the motion. was meried unanimously... REPORT OF THE SEB COMMITTEE
The report of the Sub-Conraittee of the -Sanitary Board on the limitation of the
ges and hours for employment of child rea, and the prevention of overcrowding in factories was as follows:--
(1)The Committee have held several meetings and have considered a number of returns made by the District Inspectors relating to factories and workshops in their districts.
W
T
TEB HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18TH, 1919,
The second part of the first resolution adopts a provision of the Children's Act, by each State of a system for the protre-1901. with the variation that the age-limit tion of the employed, in which women "should take #LTE.
There was no reason what over why the staff of Sanitary Inspectors should not be increased so as to be able
'22
Aruongst these are that labour should aud children, with this important differ- Mr. Boway stated that be sympathis- not be regarded merely as a commodity ence that in England there is no worked with the Chairman's suggestion but for article of commerce: the right of on Saturday afternoon or Sunday, so he failed to understand how the Sanitary association for all lawful purposes for that the week's work is 55 hours only. Inspectors would have a burden on their the employer as well as for the employed; In Hongkong, I understand. there are shoulders.
two, whol holidays in tnctories every the payment to the employed of a wags implying a reasonable standard of life lunar month so that the weekly average as understood in their time and country: 83 against 33 in England,
to cope with the work If the work, had When the Labour Convention comes
tu lx done, they should get sufficient the adoption of an eight-bases' day and a 4schours' week where it has not already
into force no doubt the weekly average Inspectors to do it. It was easy enough' farn attgined; the adoption of a weekly with be reduced to 48 hours or Fosgand to obtain men to do the work and the rest of at least 24 houringluding Shadny, the age and sex limits will be renamed: Colony was well able to afford it. The where practicable; the abolition of child at that is no reason why we should suggestion, therefore, on that ground labour and the limitation of labour of delay taking this first stap in the right could not be negopted as having much the young so as permis the continuance of diretion. It is suggested that the ani-weight. As regards the difficulty of their education and proper physical devetary Board should be entrusted with this ascertaining the age of a child, no doubt work, because the Board already controls his seconder would support him when he lopment; the principle of equal pay for
the initary wrrangements, cleanliness said that it was quite possible to change, and women for opal work; any
and ventilation of factories and work the legislation and by-laws by introduct legal standar for condition of label
shops, and there is no other departmenting provisions that a Magistrate or some to have regard in each country to the
with the necessary staff. equitable and economic treatment of a
responsible person might estimate workers resident therein; the provision
child's age. If a Magistrate deemed that child was of a certain aga it would meet the case. He rather thought that the President misconceived the object of the second part of the resolution. Per. haps it was not clearly worded. He was not willing to accept the motion by the Chairman that the latter portion of his resolution should be deleted. He was however, ready to amend it to "and probibiting the employment of children. and young persons under the age of 13 in factories or workshops likely to be in- furious to his or her life. Timb or health.. regard being had to his or her physical If that amendment A condition."" accepted the difficulties would then vanish. It was quite possible For a person to say There were a great many traden at which what trade would be injurious to'a child,
injury and there were some trades which children would work without fear of
injurious. He
asking the Board to define what was an injurios
was only trade. A list of the various trades could be made so by medical and other experts He was not asking the Board to zislate who would define what was good and bad on the matter but only asking there to endorse orrtain principles which would be forwarded to the Government me their consideration. He therefore opposed the Chairman's amendment.
ver.
and met
Further, a protocol attached to the Con- vention provide that the first meeting shall be at Washington in the present up an international Organising Committee for that purpose The photocul also contains the agenda for the first meeting, which include the question of unemployment, and the um plovunt of women and children, especi- Tally in dangerous stades.
'Is will be noticed that the subjecta which we are discussing to-day are nctually included in the agenda of the first meeting of the Labour Convention
be held at Washington this geari Now these are not matters which con ern Europe and America only; they concern the whole world, and, in parti. cular, they concern Hongkong, as a part of the British Empire, and our neigh bouring Allies, China and Japan, both of whom are included amongst the High Contracting Parties, who have accepted the League and the Convention..
Employment af Whitirer, (The Committee consider that, in the absence of any system of compulsory and aniversal elementary education, it' is impracticable to prohibit the employ ment of children of any age.
6)-The Committee recommend that in the interests of the public health, the Government be requested to amend Ser tion 16 of the Public
Health and Build ings Ordinance so as to airpower the -Board to make by-laws prohibiting the employment of children under the age of
We pray expect, then, that very shortly 14 in any factory en workshop for more the whole question of the conditions of 'than 10 hours (excluding meal times) in the employment of women and children any one day, except with the special perin Hongkong, China and Japan will be mission of the Board, and prohibiting discussed, and it is to he hoped settled the employment of children under the age in accordance with those fair and humane of in any occupation likely to be in principles which are the ident of the Jurious to his or her life, limb or health, sivilised nations of the world represent regard being bad to his or her physical rd at the Conference of Paris: condition.
If Hongkong. Chion, and Japan are to be included in the comity of nations on mal terms it behoves us and our neigh
hours to consider these questions very carefully.
proposed ja 15, instead of 14 in Eng. and This change was made out the instance of the Chinese members of the Committee who represented that Chinese children develop more rapidly than Europeans. I cannot conceive that any one can object to forbidding the employ ment of children under 13 in any occupa, tion likely to be injurious to their lives, limbs or health. I therefore trust that the Board will adopt this resolution sa
it stands,
That in the interests of the public health of the Colony the ticvernment requested to amend section 16 of the Pub lic Health and "Buildings Ordinance se as to empower the Sanitary Beard to make Legislative Council) prohibiting the em By-laws (subject to the approval of the ployment of children under the age of 14 in any factory or workship for more than 10 hours (excluding meal-times) in
one day, except with the special per employment of "children and young per. mission of the Board, and prohibiting the sons under the age of 13 in any occupa tion likely to be injurious to his or her life limb or health, regard being had to his or her physical condition."
Mr. ALABASTER: I have much pleasure in seconding Mr. Bowley's motion. This subject was mooted about two months ago and I considered that an enquiry into local conditions was a necessary prelude to the introduction of legislation en English principles." That enquiry has since been undertaken by a fully quali fied. Committee and its report has been ananimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN said that the resolution was och with which all were in sympathy, but at the same time they must consider
were
The CHAIRMAN said that if Mr. Chatham was willing he would accept Mr. Bowley's amendment, which would not interfere with any outside work the child might do
Mr. CHATHAM intimated that he, too, was willing to withdraw, and Mr. Bow ley's motion as changed was then put to the Board and carried unanimously
· OVERCROWDING OF PREMISKA. Mr. F. B. L. Bowy next oved:-
Overeenwding in Factories, (4)-The Board, has power under See tion 16 (13) of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance to make by-laws for the prevention of overcrowding in any premises,
Now we know that in Hongkong ut 117 expression which in cludes any factory or workshop, and least there is practically, un legislation under Sections 43 and of the of the kind generally known as Factory
dinates the Board has power to require Legislation such as has been gradually great difficulty attached to it. It would
cleanline and developed and enforced in England dure rather a burden on the Sanitary Dee
partment, more especially ол the Inspectors of the Department. To begin
steventon in factories and Ping the last 50 years. The reason may hel
O
орк.
the depitten"
Proposed By-laws.
every person.
is
4
been much of a
how such legislation could best be ad Ministered. He felt that there would be
That the following additional by-. law be made under Sub-Section 13 of Bection 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1900' (i)-A factors or a workshop shall be deemed to be so overcrowded as to be dangerous or injurious to the health of the therein if the number of cubic feet persons employed of space in the factory or work abop, or in any room or subdivi- sion of the factory or workshop, bears to the number of persons employed at one time in such fac tory or workshop or in such room or subdivision respectively a pr portion less than 250 cubic feet, or during any period of overtime after 6 pm. 400 cubic feet of space to every person. (1)The Board shall cause to be affixed
41
is every factory and workshop a notice in English and Chinese specifying the number of persons who y be employed in each room
or subdivision of the factory or workshop by virtue of the preced ing by-law.
Committee
consisted of,
and that it should be added
the
what that Hongkong antinfacturing centre, with, the age under which a child should definition exists as to constitutes overcrowding in factories and hub of late years many new manuface prohibited from working was given workshops, and the Committee consider turing interests have been started, and
as 13 years. It was very difficult to tell it desin
desirable that defiuition should be framed for the guidance of the proprie, ach enterprises are increasing rapidly. the age of a Chinese child. He had some tors of the factories, etc., and of the off-subunit, therefore, that the time has experience in the matter. Again, the come when some, at least, of the most Sanitary Inaptetors would fad it dis- (U.The
consider that the elementary principles of the Factory to state what was most likely to b regulation in force in England should Acts should be introduced into this injurious to a child. Unless they had be introduced into the Colony: this re- Colony,
properly qualified factory inspectors, practically medical men, or, as the case quires 250 cubic feet of air space for each The two motions before the Board might be, women, it would be a very plug in the daytime, and 400 cubic this afternoon, both of which have been dificult task indeed. Another point mea fert during overtime.
(7.) The Committee therefore recom-approved by the Committee whose report tioned by Mr. Bowley was whether the mend that the following by law should be
has just be laid on the table, are condition of the child in question was passed:-
small steps in the desired direction. going to be improved by taking it away For the last Alty years Factory from its employment. At present thefe That the following additional By-law legislation in England has been so interwas a chance of the child belping its be made under Sub-Section 13 of Section mingled with the Education laws that it inther or mother and if this legislation 160 the Public Health and Buildings is difficult to apply its provisions to came into force that help would be lost. "He stated that that by-law had been Ordinance, 1903.
this Colony, where there is no compulsory They had all seen small children struggi- agreed upon by the Committee. It had (1)A factory or a workshop shall be system of education. Education here is ing up the Peak with loads of bricks. been deemed to be sa overcrowded as to be purely voluntary, and the..school accom-That certainly was not a sight they would the ted out on several occasions that had power to deal with over- dangerous or injurious to the health of modation is probably very far short of like to see hut when they considered the crowding in factories, but there was no the persons conployed therein if the num the juvenile population of the Colony, alternative that the child would be left definition as to what overcrowding in ber of feet of space in the factory
r workshop, or in any room or subdisi whilst many of the parents are too poor at home doing nothing at all while its wished that the amendment should be
n of the factory or workshop, bears and heads that school for parents were working, and probably at
But this Board has nothing to do with the end of the day that it would have the Factories Act of 1901. In England
adopted and the nutr persona employed at
in such factory or workshop, education: we can only dent with mat less to eat as a result of not doing any the Secretary of State had power to room for subdivision respecters affecting the public health, and for work, it certainly did not seem that they increase the cabic space, but had no tively.
proportion less than 250 cubic this reason, the Committe have come to would be improving the condition of the power to reduce it. He simply
asked any period of overtime the conclusion that it is impracticable, children, or doing them any good, by the Board to accept the amendment, which after 6p.m. 400 cubic feet of space to under existing conditions, to prohibit the prohibiting their employment until they regulated the amount of space to he employment of children even of the ten had passed the age of 13. It was perfect allotted to each worker, The Committee (2)-The Banrd shall cause to be affixed derest ng In the absence of schools the ly true that the Colony had not sufficient had received certain returns from the factory and workshop a notice child must accompany its parent, and schools, but that was not a matter for factories in the Colony, some of which English and Chinese specifying the
so long as the labour is not excessive it the Sanitary Department. There were were good, showing that the workers had Eumber of persons who may be employed is probably better for the child's health not sufficient schools to house the children plenty of space and fresh air. There in cach room or subdivision of the factory to be employed at light tasks than to be and educate them. As a result the child. wore a few factories which had made no or workshop by virtue of the preceding playing in the gutter. by-law.
ren of the poorest families would have to such arrangement and these were
factories (8.)This by-law is adapted from Bee-
The criminal law contains provisions be left at bome while their parents weat
they wanted to get at.. Mr. CHATHAM seconded the resolution, tion 3 (1) of the Factory and Workshop for the punishment of parents and masters out to worki In Bridges Street and
Mrs.
"HICKLING suggested that they Act 1901 (United Kingdom) with a refer and mistresses who ill-trent or neglect round that particular neighbourhood should indicate the number of square feet ence to rooms or subdivisions inserted to their children or child servants, and that there were a number of houses which that should be required for each worker. make the regulation suitable to local con- is as far as we can go at presents
seemed to be set apart for women whe She thought 20 ditions.
But when we come to factories and looked after small children, from eigh was suficient square feet for floor space, MR, BOWLEY'S MOTION.
Mr. BOWLEY said he was prepared to workshops in which children are employ.teen months' of age to between 3, 4, and 6. Mr. BOWLEY: We are told that the ed we can at least say that they shall years, while their parents were occupied accept the suggestion. Pence Treaty now under discussion be not, unless under-special circumstances These houses were kept by old worden, The CHAIRMAN suggested that the height tween the Allies and the Enemy is de- and with the permission of the Board, be who were invalids. The older children should be te feet
Mr. CHATHAM stated that the Building signed not only to set forth the terms of employed overtime, after 6 p.m. Such would not willingly romain under the prace with Germany bit to establish employment must be injurious to the charge of an old woman and they would Ordinance contained no provisions as to those international arrangements which health of the child, who would certainly naturally wander about the streets, and the height of storeys as regarded factories,
but contained
provisions as regarded the Allies have devine for the prevention be better in bed than working by arti- run the risk of getting killed or of meat dwelling
houses.
It was inconceivable of wars in the future and for the better. feinl light in stuffy.rooms.
ing with some accident.
He thought, that a ceiling in a factory would be less ment of mankind. For the Intier reason The returns which have been obtained therefore, that not much good would be than 12 feet from the floor. With regard the League of Nations, and the Inter from all the districts in Victoria show done by prohibiting children under the to the words overtim after six p.m. national Labour Convention are included that the anal hours at factories where age of 13 from being employed. He ad- he thought that the word, "o overtime in the Treaty. Both in the League and women and children are employed aro 04mitted that the age was very young, but should be deleted. in the Convention, the subject of the or 10 hours per day (excluding meal there were several difficulties in the way This also was agreed to and the motion employment of waren and children takes times), and that most of the factories of effective administration of such legis as amended was carried unanimously. aery prominent position
knock off work at or before 6 n.m.
lation. For instance carrying a big pail
Mr. F. B. L. Bowry, naked:- Article XX. of the League ia us follows: The first part of the resolution on this of water up a staircase would be injurious "Will the head of the Sanitary De
The high contracting parties will subject will not, therefore, interfere to to a child. In such a case & Banitary
partment obtain a report from the endeavour to secure and maintain-fair-any-appreciable extent with the better Inspector, under the proposed Ordinance, Assistant Medical Officer of Health with' and human conditions of labour for men, managed factories and workshops and would find it difficult to
regard to the fresh water supply to the women, and children, both in their own. its modoration and reasonableness are whether the child was helping its mother, bont-builders between Samaipo and
Li thi countries and in all countries to which such that I feel sure it will commerd for whether it had been employed by
Kok, and to lay such report on the table. their commercial and industrial relationsself Eq, every fair-minded-person somebody else to do that work. He moved
The CBAIRMAN replied that a repdrt had aktend; and to that end agree to ratab The fixing of the age-limit at 14 is the that the last clauso in Mr. Bowley's. fish as part of the organization of the result of a compromise. In England ten resolution be deleted. It was not due to been obtained from the assistant M.OH. Longue & permanent bureau of labour." hours is the limit for women and children his lack of sympathy with the object of Kowloon and would be circulated amongst
the members of the Board. Appended to the section of the Treaty of any age, and I should have preferred the resolution, but simply because there With regard to the suggested changes containing the labour Convention is the to fix the age-limit much higher, but the would be many difficulties in the way of affirmation by the high contracting par | Chinese members of -the Committee it being carried out.
M. CHATHAM apggested that perhaps ties of the method and principles for rethought otherwise and for the saka ni, gainting labour conditions: which all unanimity I accepted the age proposed by Mr. Power would accede to the amend industrial communities should endeavour them.
ment. If Mr. Bowley refused to accept. to apply as far as their special circumi The time limit of 10 hours a day is it, he would second the Chairman's
that now in force in England for women amendment. stances permit.
,
2
ascertain
瑙
in the draft estimates for 1920 the Chair- Mr. Chan Kai Ming and Mr. B. W. TsO Dan proposed that Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, be appointed to consider them.
This was agreed to.
►
The rest of the business before the Board was of a formal nature.
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