'SWEATED LABOUR
HONGKONG.
99
PROTECTION OF WOMEN
NEED
- CHILDREN,
THE HONGKONG" DAILY
PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 1921.
These conditions do not apply to adults A precedent for the necessary legisla. IN only, bals to children of the tenderest age: tion exists (as I pointed out to the before the child can walk it is added Attorney-General on 1st April, 1820) in to the load on its mother's back; as soon the Employment of Children ddet," 1903, as it can toddle, it follows its mother in Section 3, Subiec. 4 and 5, which are as her work; when boy or girl can stagger follows: under a few bricks the life of labour begins, and continues until he or she reaches an early grave.
AND
"OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
MR F. B. L. BOWLEY'S PROPOSALS FOR REFORM
A largely attended meeting was held at the Cathedral hall, last night, under the aaspices of the Church of England Men's Society, when Mr. Bowley "read"a paper "Swented Labour." The Rev. H. Copley Moyle presided.
on
Mr. Bowley said:-
1.PRINCIPLES OF CIVILIZATION. Two years ago. in residing a paper on the condition of women and children in Hoagkong, I prefaced my remarks by quoting the second great commandment of the.
"Thou shalt love thy neigh- JAW hour as thysell."*
This is the great active principle of Christianity on its social side, and should govern all our relationships with our I think, however, that the essential of Civilization also is unselfishness, or the triumph of Right over Might.
fellow-citizens.
The Sanitary Board endeavoured to find a remedy for this state of affaire, and in May, 1810, asked the Government for powers to make by-laws Emiting the employment of children under the age of 14 in any factory or workshop to a maximum of 10 hours a day (excluding meals), and entirely prohibiting the employment of children in factories or workshops in any occupation likely to be
condition.
Undue interference with economic forces is certainly to be deprecateda freedom injurious to his or her life, limb or health, of trade and freedom of contract are the regard being had to his or her physical foundations of the success of the British Expire, and should not be interfered with when applied to cammodities, but a civilized community.cannot regard human beings, and human life and health merely as commodities, to be bought in the cheapest market and sold in the dearest. 3-FACTORY LAWS, THE PLACE TREATY, THR
LEAGUE OF NATIONS, AND THE LABOUR CONVENTION.
The protection of women and children has been the special care of every civilized community in varying degree throughout the ages, but Great Britain, being the first country in which the indus trial revolution caused by the utilisation of steam power for manufacturing pur
(4)-A child shall not be employed to lift, carry or move anything so heavy as to be likely to causo injury to the child.... (5.)-A child shall not be employed
in any occupation likely, to be injurious to his life, fimb..or health regard being had to his physical condition." The person issuing the load should be punishable as well as the parent for any breach of these provisions.
10,—▲ GIVING WAGE. Several objections have been put for ward to any interference with this species of child, labour,
The most important is probably that if the child does not work both child and Parent will be worse off, even possibly to the extent of starvation,
It will be noticed that the Board did
This objection could have been raised not recommend the total prohibition of the employment of children, they only trades which are not mjurious to health care to all proposals for controlling or suggested limiting such employment to at any time during the last hundred regulating the employment of women and or dangerous, and limiting the hours of children, and I think the purwer-may work for children ander 14 to 70 hours be summed up in a few words. weet. The reason for this very mild measure of reform way that the Board appreciated the fact that if the children were not at work they would have no thing to do but play in the gutter, as there were not sufficient schools in the Colony for them.
The Government, however, declined to accept the proposal, apparently misunder standing it, as the reasons put forward by the Government were: (1) that the children must be with their parents out: (2) that there were not sufficient schools. The Board never suggested that the children should be separated from their
No community can call itself truly civilized unless every member of that community, who is willing to work, can command a lising wage for his or her work...
4
I know the economists will protest, and" the law of supply and demand will be quoted.
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WAR MEMORIAL
SUBSCRIPTION LIST.
erection by Public Bubscription, of
(117
A. G. DA ROCHA
AUCTIONEER, SURVEYOR- AND GENERAL BROKER
No. 21, D'Aguilar Street, Talephone No. 1999.
In a state of barbarism each man is for puses was felt, took the lead in what is parents, only that the children should not Fair Wages," and in 1909 the minimum the Navy, the Army and Civilians by Joint WEEKLY AUCTIONS.
FOR thing to be run on YMCA. Ene to be called the WAR MEMORIAL INSTI TUTE and to be managed for the joint use of Board of Directors. A portion of the sum manent Stone Memorial which will be pat in raised will be devoted to the erection of a Per-
Lists may be found at- Moss, Lane & Crawford,
Kelly & Walsh, Moulin
But this is no now question: more than 4,000 years ago statutory rates of hiring and wages were fixed by the law of Hammurabi of Susa, King of Babylonia, referred to by the senior Chaplain of In more recent times Trades Unións the Cathedral the other day. have fought, and fought successfully, for wage received the statutory sanction in generally known as Factory Legislation, be kept in the factories for more than 10 himself, he takes (what he wants) if he which has for its object the regulation hours a day, and should not be allowed Great Britain of the Trade Boards Act in unhealthy or dangerous factories, I of that year. Since then, I believe, a has the power, and he keeps (what he
in every Government contract in Great has taken) if he can hold it against all of the employment of women and child- drew the attention of the Attorney-minimum wage clause has been included hand at an early data.
General to this point on April 21st, 1020.
This resolution of the Board was also Britain, and it would be a simple matter the subject of a question in the House of for the local Public Works Department to Minimum wages Commous on December 20th, and the adopt, such a clause. Hongkong Daily Fress produced an inter-ware also established by the Colliery Act esting leading article on the subject of 1912 pointing out the apparent misunderstand- ing indicated above: Colonel Amery re- plied that HE the Governor of Hone- kong was being aked what measures. if any were contemplated, and it will be interesting to learn the result.
comers. In such a state the strong pre- Fail and the weak are kept in subjection.
That is individualism, but civilization implies a common interest, a union of individuals together for mutual protec tion; in short, a community or common. wealth:
In an ideal state of civilization each member of the community, however wenk and helpless, is protected from oppres sion, and surely no community can claim to be free from barbariam and, truly civilized if any clasa or any individual is suffered to be a prey to the greed or cruelty or neglect of others.
This principle of civilization is what
ren. Other countries have followed in the same direction, until now, as far as I know, every community which calls itself civilized, except Hongkong and China, has some Factory Laws in force.
I trust I am not doing an injustice to our Chinese friends, but I have never heard of any such legislation in China; if any one knowa of Chinese laws of this nature, I should be very glad to have particulars.
་
In Japan Factory Laws were passed in 1911; there may be earlier laws," but I cannot say at present recently we heard that the Japanese were revising their laws in this respect.
In May 1919, I drew the attention of the Sanitary Board to the fact that the Pence Treaty includes not only the Coven ant of the League of Nations but the International Labour Convention, and that the High Contracting Parties agreed to endeavour to secure and maintain fair and humane conditions of labour for men, women and children, both in their own countries and in all countries to which
the British mean by Freedom; the French by Liberty, Equality and Fraternity; the Americans by Democracy, government of the people by the people for the people; and Christianity by Fellowship and Service.
Is not thin the principle for which the Allies fought and won the great war aver Right And should not the commu.extend. nity of Hongkong strive to attain this ideal!
If the Board's proposals are adopted it will only be a small step in the right direction, and I venture to make some suggestions as to further progress...
But the great change came during the war, when the labour of the British community was mobilised, and the wager (Temporary Regulation) Act of 1918 em establish tribunals consisting of repre powered the Minister of Labour to sentatives of the employers and the work- men, with an independent chairman to fix the rate of wages to be paid in Kny trade in any district.
This Act was extended (to the end of last year at least) by the Industrial Courts Act, 1918.
Wm. Powell, Ltd., The Hongkong Club,
Hongkong Cricket Club. Club Luntano, Engineers Instituta, Victoria Recreation Ülab. Kowloon Cricket Club. Kowloon Bowling Club. Feak Chab Club de Recreio. "Craigengower Club.
M. J. BREEN,
Hon. Secretary, War Memorial Committee. Hongkong, December 18th, 1920.
The demand is for
good condition,
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS.
TUESDAYS:-
THURSDAYS
VALUABLE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE SATURDAYS:-
EXCELLENT HOUSEHOLD
FURNITURES.
A... G. DA ROCHA,
AUCTIONEER, SURVEYOR
GENERAL BROKER.
AND
No. 24, D'àguilar Street, Telephone No. 2993.
129 BY Order of the MORTGAGEE will sell by
Public Auction at my Sales Rooin on
THURSDAY,
WE HAVE THE SUPPLY
the 17th February, 1921, at 11 am.
The fast and commodious Storm Launch "SHUN FOO," now know as the “YAT-
Particulars.
Gross Tonnage...
Net Tonnage
Length Breadth
98.80
26.39
76 fact
12 ft. 8 in.
At present factories and workshops are except for Sanitary purposes, and in the
There would be no great difficulty in unregistered, unlicensed and uncontrolled, case of Offensive Trades, which are assembling a similar committee in Hong. time the licensed by the Sanitary Board, and are kang to Ex from time to subject to no limitations with regard to minimum wages to be paid for coolis hours or ages of labour, except in the labour in Hongkong. If steps, were taken GOOD STAMPS HING," as she now lies in Yaumati Harbour. cases of ram picking and cleaning hair and to make the rates fixed known to the feathers, where the employment of child-coolies, it would be quite safe to leave it ren under 10 is prohibited. There is, to them to deal with their employers, and Sho I believe, no-record of the numbers, woe betide the rash woman who turned ages or sox of persons employed in blacklog and tried to undor-cnt factories or workshops, and no official could safely be left to the female of In fixing the minimum wage the statistics as to hours or other conditions.the species."
The approachine Census of the Colony fluctuating prices of the necessaries of statistics on this point, but not unless Amongst the principles affirmed by the a special enquiry is made in the day-time, High Contracting Parties are these:as the ordinary census, taken at night
would not contain any particulars of the That labour should not be regarded mere- ly as a commodity or article of commerce; different factories: the payment to the employed of a wage implying a reasonable standard of life as understood in their time and country; the adoption of an eight-hours' day and hours' week, with a weekly rest of at least
against tyranny and the rule of Might their commercial and industrial relations affords an opportunity of collecting should be taken into consideration
Our Colony is in a unique position as za outpost of Western civilization on the fringe of one the oldest civilizations of the world, and, if we are to justify our boast that Western civilization is the botter, it behoves us to look carefully into the condition of our own community.
Many people seem to forget that Hong kong is in the position of a self-contained State: it has its own Government, ita own legislature, its own revenge and administration."
It is true that the control of foreign affairs and military and naval mattere "is in the hands of the Home Government, which also reserves the right to veta local laws and to appoint the principal officers of Government; but in other respects Hongkong is a self-contained community with all the functions and duties which are at home vested in the Houses of Parliament. County and City Councils,
and other local bodies...
By the necessaries of life I mean such and the wage adjusted accordingly. things as a decent and healthy room, sufficient clothing and food to keep the mother and child in good health, and fuel and light and water-not - a ambitious programme.
Very
After the necessary data have been obtained a Committee of representatives
Of course, no humane and thoughtful of the employers and the employed under the presidency of Government official person would ever wish to pay a human might be appointed to frame suitable being, much less a fellow-citizen, less 24 hours, including Sunday; the abolition regulations. Most of the employers are, than sufficient to procure thase bare of child labour and the limitation of the I believe, quite humane and liberal necessaries; but unfortunately employers labour of the young so as to permit the (according to their lights) in the treat are not always humane or thoughtful: continuance of their education and proper ment of the employés, and are always and one unscrupulous employer is able, physical development; and the provision ready to respond to any suggestions for by exploiting unskilled, unorganised in each State of & system for the protec-improvement made to them, but it is not labour, to under-cut and, perhaps, ruin safe or fair to rely on voluntary effort, his trade rival: hence the need for tion of the employed, in which women should take a part.
one unprincipled employer may not legislative interference. only ill-treat his own "hands," but may by "weating" methods undercut the Another very urgent need is the appoint liberal and enlightened employers. ment of female inspectors of factories tariat for Chinese Affairs or the Sanitary and workships, either under the Secre-
Department.
Now all these questions have Intely been discussed at the Labour Convention at Washington, and by the League of Nations at Geneva, and every community involved is engaged in overhauling its labour conditions with a view to coa forming to the principles of the Treaty.
di
B-COOLIE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Another possible objection is that if Hongkong ie, made too attractive to
labour, we shall be over-run by the teeming millions of the neighbouring Republic, who would swamp our already over-crowded Colony.
There are several answers to this. One is that the immigration of undesirable aliens can be checked by the Government, and surplus alien labourers can be re-
We have heard a great deal of the
Next to factories and workshops comes, The community has the power and the activities and eloquence of Dr. Wellington Koo, the Chinese representative at the privilege and the duty of regulating its League and (I think) at the Convention; perhaps, the most difficult problem-thepatriated. own affairs, and, if there is anything and soon we may expect to hear of a improvement in the condition of coolie rotten in the State of Hongkong, the complete system of Factory Legislation women and children. community cannot shift the blame on to for China. Japan, as I have said, is The sight of women and children toiling the Home Government or any other revising its Factory Laws: What is up the Peak with heavy loads is one authority, but must itself enquire into the Hongkong doing Are we to take the cause of the social disease and endeavour lead in these matters, as we have always to find and apply a remedy.
done in the past, or are we to wait and follow the example of China and Japan?
-THE PROTECTION OF WOMER AND
UHILDREN.
The community of Hongkong is, there- fore, responsible for the labour conditions that prevail here, and, in particular, for the protection of women and children from sweating and other forms of oppression and neglect.
4.-FACTORY LAW IN TÖNGEONG.
Our Stock of sil Countries is strong, and not to see the selection of our Stampe is to mias a large pick ", of the Stamp Market,
GRACA
00...
Deslore in Postage Stamps, Philatelie Goods, Religions Books, Garden Seeds, Toys, etc. No. 10, WYNDHAM STREET, HONGKONG,
P.O. Box 620.
158
DAIRY FARM NEWS.
FROZEN SMOKED FISH
Now shipment ex B/8′ "GLENAMOY”
SELECTED FILLETS FINNAN HADDOCKS. SELECTED, KIPPERS.
THE DAIRY FARM, ICE & COLD STQBAGE 00, LTD.
APIOLINE
(CHAPOTEAUT)
Another is that although the available houses in the urban districts are over. crowded, the Colony itself is not. Any in developing the Colony, especially one who remarks the wonderful progress of the most frequent topics of comment Kowloon, in the last two years will ses by resident and visitor alike we are all that there is room for a very much larger familiar with it, and all wish that some population that we have at present both thing should be done, but the difficulty at Kowloon and on the Island. At Kow- is to discover a remedy, MAN
loon vallers are being exalted, rough As I have indicated, there is practically This matter has frequently been displaces made plain, and mountaine cast no law in Hongkong regulating the mcussed in Hongkong, and formed the into the sun-normons reclamations are ployment of women and children, although subject of another question in the House in progress or projected, and with the know that very large numbers are of Commons on December 20th last. and improved system of town-planning now the Under Secretary of State said that in vogue, and the improved communica employed.
They work in factories for ten hours the Governor was being asked what action tions talked about, there should soon be healthy accommodation for all classes of day (excluding mealtimes), for seven he considered possible,
Here again total prohibition is imprac- a large commercial and industrial.com. days a week, a weekly total of 70 hourI, as compared with the 48 hours laid down tieable because of the insufficiency of unity both on the Island and mainland. Dr. Wellington Koo and his progressivo by treaty. In addition, overtime in schools, but regulation is, I think, not Thirdly: I have already referred to common at busy seasons, and is not chock-only practicable but fairly simple.
The coolie women and children work ideas. Is not young China fall of simi- ed in anyway.
They work in small workshops and on well-defined lines, usually under con-lar ment and are not they the leaven private houses, at trades, as sempetresses tractors and foremon, and if weights could that will leaven the whole lump? The or as domestic servants, for hours without be regulated at the loading point and local authorities at Canton seem to be and any improvements in the conditions count and without number, at wages checked occasionally at other points, it very progressive and full of modern ideas, governed solely by the law of supply and should be easy to prevent an excessive of labour in Hongkong are likely to be It must be remembered that Chinese copied on the adjacent mainland, and the But the law of supply, and demand is demand, or (in the case of "mai-tsai") load.
excessive flow of immigration stopped. not a fetish which we must worship; it for no wages at all.
They work as coplies irrespective of peasant women and their children, espe Another objection to all restrictions on is ont really a law in the sense that it must be obeyed. I would rather call it age and sex, carrying heavy loads in cially from the hill countries, have been labour is that they tend to drive trade economic force, whose operation all weathers; stunting their bodies, in habitusted for untoli generations to the away from the Colony I do not think cannot be disregarded, any more than we juring the present generation and the carrying of loads uphill, and in fixing any that the Colony nood fear ean disregard the operation of the force next with no luxuries, no leisure, and scale this fact must be taken into opn account: no well-conducted and well. of gravitation, but can be, and may be, in no pleasure; often without the barest sideration. But there is no great difficulty managed industry is likely to be injured some degree regulated, controlled and necessaries of life, insufficiently fed to an intelligent and experienced officer by treating its employer fairly, and if Prescribed by lae highest #rozon utilised, even as the force of gravity is insufficiently clothed, sleeping us and in judging whether a woman or child is the badly conducted and sweated indus regulated, controlled and utilized in the where they can on bed-boards under overlonded or not, and the duty should trics are driven away, so much the better training and Harnessing of waterways, so staircases, or in any odd corner, without be entrusted only to officers of experience for the Colony's physical and moral that they produco.power and energy and any facilities for cleansing either their and reliability in the Police, Publia Works; health
persons or their clothes.
Department, and Sanitary Department. light for the community.
I am not now doncerned with the men of the Colony; they have their Clubs and their Chambers, their Guilds and their Associations, and they are fully able to protect themselves and to negotiate for Fair and reasonable conditions; but the women of the poorer class, and the children, cannot organise or negotiate; they are belpless and exposed to the full operation of the so-called law of supply and demand in all its ferocity.
(Continued on page 4)
ba this
LATHES C
For fonotional troublos, delay, pein and tacos irregularities peculiar so
Mdical authorities and enpartow to
BILPUTEACE, A VEL VETLEN B
Depth Licence
J
7.9 in No. 3. Terms-20 per cent. deposit by the purchaser. to be paid immediately on the fall of the hammer. Inspecting Orders and further particulars.may be had from THE AUCTIONEER or from Mr. Lzo. D'ÁLMADA X Caerno, Solicitor.
8.8. "PEL.HO". COMPAGNIE des messagERIES MARITIMES.
NOTICE.
CONSIGNEES of Cargo from LON.
DON do, in connection with above Steamer are hereby informed that their Goods, with the exception of Opium, Treasure and Valuables, are being landed, and stored at their risks, into the hazardous and/or artra, hazard. ons Godowns of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Ltd, at Koricon, whence delivery may be obtained immediately after landing.
Optional Cargo will be forwarded on unless intimation is received from the Consignees before Noor To-DAT requesting it to be landed hero.
Billa of Lading will be countersigned by the Undersigned. Goods remaining unclaimed after Feb. 18th, at Noor, will be rebject to rent and landing charges.
All claims must be sent in to me on or beföra Feb. 2lat, or they will not be recognized.
All damaged packages will be examined by Mosers, Goddard & Douglas, on FRIDAY, Feb. 18th, at 10 ..
No Fire Insurance has been effected.
R. RODENFUSER,
Acting Agent
Hongkong, February 12th, 1931.
[431
INDO CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY, LIMITED. NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES. FROM CALCUTTA, PENANG.
SINGAPORE.
Steamship
"YATSHING" having arrived from the above ports, Consignees of cargo by hor are hereby informed that all goods are being landed at their risk into the hazardous and/or extra hazardous Godawns of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Glodows Company Limited, whence, and/or from the wharves, delivery
be obtained Gooda
not
aleared by
the 19th Fob, will
be
broken,
and damaged, packaged sre
to be left in the Godowns where they will le examined. Claims against the steamer must be presented within 10 days of arrival, otherwise they will not be recognized.
No Fire Insurance will be affected by us in May case whatever,"
Bill of Lading will be countersigned by
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., LTD.
General Managers. .../ Hongkong, Fobraary-12th, 184-
[437