Page
THE STRIKE. CANTON AND MACÃO STEAMBOAT CO. AND THE SITUATION. CHAIRMAN'S INTERESTING ADDRESS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS....
At the meeting of the Hongkong. Can ton and Macao Steamboat Company yesterday, the Chairman (Mr. Dodwell) made an interesting reference to the strike situation. He said:--
Although not actually coming within
the period under review, certain events have taken place since the beginning of the year affecting the working and future propects of your Company which call for remark. 1 refer to the recent regrettable trike of Chinese, seatgen and I will avail self of this opportunity of explaining the views of your Board and the attitude adopted by them in the mattor. During be calier stages of the strike the ae- Counts which appeared from time to tinie in the daily papers contained much that was inaccurate and misleading to the general Jublic. This is unfortunately unavoidable at times when feeling runs high and information to the press is of a strictly partisan order. Your Board, in common with the many other steara ship owners concerned, felt that nothing could be gained by contting state- ments to the press" which might be made the subject of "coatroversy during such time us there" was a possibility of an
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. · WEDNESDAY, FEBRUAHY STE, 19
THE RESORT TO INTIMIDATION, Lastly, the resort to Intimidation," the andeavour to embroil other workers în s dispute with which they were not direct y concerned, and the enllousness shown towards the hardship that might be auf. fored by their own nationale and fellow. workmen through a needless prolonga tion of the strike, point to the fact that the Union's Affairs were being largely controlled by undesirable and possibly outside elements which could not be said to be representative of the main body of t'hinese samen.
It is to be earnestly hoped that before any more days have passed the mea realisation of the, will come to a better facts governing the situation and show themselves ready to abide by the findings of impartial arbitrators in respect of any grievance they may have to put forward. If any shareholders present would like to bave further information as to the efforts that have been made to bring about a settlement of the dispute, I shall be glad to see them after the meeting and give them such information as is at my disposal.
EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THE SEAMEN,
SUPPLIES FROM CANTON. Apart from passanger traffic, things were very quiet on the railway yesterday and only a few tons of provisions were. brought down from Canton The ques tion of newing the goods traße with Canton his been taken up by the Rail- way Company. Canton a few days ago, stating that they The Company wired to
were now quite prepared to receive goods and to arrange distribution, but up to the present no reply has been received.
POLICE RUSE TO CATOH INTIMIDATORS.
CHINESE BEST TO PRISON.
A Chinese named Tung Hung, who was remanded from the previous day, on charge of intimidating men to come out on strike, was again broughs before Mr Lindsell, at the Magistracy, jesterday,
At the previous day's hearing two charges were preferred against the de fendant, one as stated above, the other being disorderly behaviour. Mr. Lindsell then decided to dismiss the second charge on the groands of insufficient evidence. When the case was mentioned yesterday, Mr Lindsell stated that he now proposed to allow the second charge of disorderly behaviour to stand;
Evidence at the previous hearing was In so far as the continued silence of the to the effect that the defendant stopped strikers in Canton has a political aspect, two Chinese detectives as they alighted no doubt the Government is dealing with from a sampan, and, assuming that they the situation through the usual channels were seamen, warned them that they were and no more can be said at this stage. not to go on board of any steamer with understanding being reached by friendly Meanwhile, the Chinese boarding house and thission of the Seamen's Union. keepers of Hongkong have undertaken, Yesterday the first witness was recalled, arbitration and I think when it is po through sight of their number, to go to and be stated that the defendant demand sible to publish a full report of the Canton and see if they can persuade theed to know where they were going, and
This was very violent. negotiations that have taken place, it camen to agree to arbitration.
annouberment is particularly interesting will be recognised that the attitude of because, when the present dispute began, the various steamship owners has been there was reason to believe that the de- in line with and prompted by the gen-mands of the boarding house keepers for increased rente had a good deal to do eral interests of the public and at the with the seaman's agitation. The board same time one which did nos debar theming, house keepers may be expected to understand the psychology of the seamen from giving the most sympathetic and may be able to induce them to take sideration to the just demands of the sen- so simple a step as to submit their case to men themselves.
arbitration.
The proclamation declaring the Ses- an illegal Society, lins
ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
men a Union
Asked if be had anything further to say the defendant said: If I had known that they were policemen "I would not have spoken to them.
The Magistrate: Of course you would not, that is obvious. The first charge of satisfied with the evdence. The charge of intimidation is dismissed as I am not disorderly conduct I consider proved. months' imprisonment with hard labour. You are convicted and sentenced to two
ALLEGED INTIMIDATION AT THE
MARKET... i
of intimidation of
"I am not at present in a position to naturally led the emissaries to seek re- give you a full history of the negotia-newed saurances that delegates from the
An alleged case Seamen's Union will not be treated a tions which have taken place, but it will outlaws if they come to Hongkong to market workers was brought up for hear do no harm if I ask you to bear in mind negotiate. The Hon. Mr. Hallifax, Secreing at the Magistracy yesterday, when a that the attitude adopted by the Gavern tary for Chinese Affairs, has naturally vegetable vendor was charged with inti-
midation. ment of Hongkong has throughout been given the assurances neked for and he has
According to the evidence adduced, it also said that there can be no objection one of strict and impartial neutrality as to a Seamen's Union being re-constituted appears that on Sunday morning, in the COLcerns the purely commercial side of in Hongkong provided it avoids illegal presence of a number of other vegetable the dispute; that is, the rate of wages:
practices nich sa intimidation of its own veadore the defendant suddenly an members and the members of other guilds.nounced that he had received a letter from they could hat guarantee a fair hearing
the Seamen's Union, which stated thas to the case of the men
several hundreds of the market work It was only
PUBLIC ME
hou'd be collected and sont up to Canton when the action of "the Union went be-
ernment was forced to take
focus attention.on the real point at issue
ALERT CHINESE.
15
GRIEVOUS ASSAULT ON
JAPANESE MERCHANT,
THREE YOUNG CHINESE CHARGED.
The case of an assault on a Japanese, whilst on board a motor-boat, which was briefy reported in yesterday's issue of Chinese samen were charged with a the Daily Press, was mentioned at the Magistracy, yesterday, when three youds saulung Mr. Kunihiko Kimura, a Japan- ese merchant, residing at No. 09. Rovin-
son' Road..
The defendants are employed on the motor-bont Walla Walla No. 5. All three are young men under twenty years of age and the eldest of the three is the coxa- wain of the motor-boat in question."
Mr. H. C. Macnamara, solicitor, ap- Mr. Kimura was still in hospital as a peared for the plaintiff, and stated that result of the injuries rpceived.
The in- juries were not so serious as was fine would be able to appear in Court in the thought and he hoped that his client course of a few days. ·
In reply to a question from the Magi strate as to the nature of the assaul Mr. Macnamara said that at midnight on the 5th the plaintiff engaged the de fendants' motor-poat at Blake Pier, to take him to a Japanese vessel in the line- buur: When bear Kellett Island, Mr., Kimura moved to the aft end of the boat for the purpose of taking bearingy. on the face and head, causing, the blood Whilst doing so be received several blows to flow, He grappled with one of the defendacts, who broke away and jumped overboard. Several blows were delivered. from behind and Mr. Kimura turned to see another of the defendants jumping into the water. By this time the engino was running free with nobody in charge- Mr. Kimura managed to take charge and steered the boat-to the H.M.S. Cartie where he was taken on board and arst aid was renderd by a Naval Burgeon. Signals were sent out and the police came on board and the third defendant was arrested. The other two men werd
arrested later.
Sub-Inspector Spear stated that the motive for the attack was not know cumstances. He stated that their em The defendants were in very poor ér ployers were not taking any interest in the case. As the case was a serious o00 he asked for heavy bail.
The Magistrate remanded the case until Monday next and granted bail to the throo defendants at $250, $100 and 860 respetively.
WARWICK COMEDY
Chizes merchants in Hongkong Ere altercation ensued, and the pay, and present that extremely popular
yond the law in Hongkong that the Gov. feeling, severely the effects of the strikes alleged to have used very
action to and they hope, by means of a public meet. From the nature of the evidence, the
language. safeguard the public 'pesca. This actioning, to give the Chinese community here Magistrate found that there was no evi- should again restore the perspective, and as to the present deadlock and the hard dence of intimidation, and amended the An opportunity of expressing ita” views with the men-the wages: in which mat ships that are being needlessly inflicted charge to one of disorderly, behaviour.
The Chairman ter the Government remains, as before, upon the poorer classes. prepared to guaranice an impartial of the lung Wah Hospital (Mr. Lo hearing of both sides and a fair settle- Cheung Kui), as a prominent and im partial member of the Chinese community, has been asked to convene the meeting and
ment.
"
The defendant denied the allegation and stated that he was a casual worker any was in permanent employ
at Yaumat
when the defendant will have an oppor. The case was remanded to this morning,
disprove the charge.
COMPANY,
EXTENSION UF SEASON..
On account of the strike and the dif culty of securing, transportation to Singa" pore, Mr. Warwick has decided to pro sent a few more plays in Hongkong before closing the season. To-morrow and Fri day, the company will appear in Canton. They will return to Hongkong on Satur
On Monday, the 13th, in respouse to & comedy Brown Sugar on that might. very inrge number of requests, Mr. War- wick has decided to give a repeat rer- formance of "Pygmalion." It is doubt- ful, whether there has ever been such a performance of this highly diverting play pronounced success in Hongkong as the by the company last Saturday, and there can be no doubt that the revival will
In connection with the despatch of the steamers Kinshan and Heungthan to it will be held this afternoon at the Tung tunity of bringing forward witnesses to prove exceptionally popular. Many were Canton, maded by naval ratings, Wah Hospital, might mention that these vessels · word, seat up by the Hongkong Government with the object of safeguarding the food
ponsible elements amongst the strikers.
THE MEN VERY ILL-ADVISED.
HANDLING OF CARGO.
A SHANGHAI ECHO OF THE SEAMEN'S STRIKE.
TWO TEACHERS FINED BY MIXED COURT
FOR. INTIMIDATION,
Indidental to the seamen's strike in Hongkong three Chinese were charged at the Mixed Court at Shanghai on February and with "An offence against the safety of private individuals." It was alleged
unable to obtain admission last Satur day and they will all welcome the oppor tunity of seeing it. The plans for the two extra nights are now on view at Moutrie's. OSCAR WILDE'S BRILLIANT PLAY A WOMAN
OF NO IMPORTANCE."
A
supply of the population of the Colony,tial cargo work is increasing and yester The number of coolies engaged on cesen the vast majority of whom. The action day it was stated that between 1,000 and
it must be remembered are Chine appears to have been entirely misconstru. 1,500 was taken on as against 1,000 on the
previous day. ed by the strikers in Canton. It was no
Questioned yesterday attempt on the part of the Company to afternoon, as to whether or not, the men break the strike, the Company not being coolies & well known shipowner stated that so employed were the ordinary cargo interested in the financial results of the
he was not prepared to say, but even if sailings and the guards on board were only for the purpose of protecting the they were not, the men engaged wore vessels against possible damage by irrea. Working very well and the shipowners by the prosecution that the three accused, Comedy Company to-night at the Theatre
were pleased with the amount of cargo handled. In searly every case the men two of whom were school teachers and the engaged on the previous day reported for third an ordinary scaman, went to productions in a long list of Wilde work yesterday morning again, so that house No. 965, Woosung Road at 4.30 the question of intimidation after the pm on the 30th ultimo and interviewed men fente off work and have no police Kuei Ah-now with the intention of pre protection has not been serious enough to venting him from recruiting seamen in interfere with these emergency workers Shanghai to replace the strikers in Hong In the case of the Taikua Moru, which kong. One of the accused, a teacher, arrived on Monday from Haiphong, with was further charged with threatening to a general cargo of provisions, including kill Kuci Ah-mow it he continued to re 1,650 tons of rice and 200 pigs, unloading cruit any more seamen
The case was heard before Magistrate was, proceding quite smoothly at: Wesd Point, yesterday, where she is lying Lob and Mr. M. Jacobs, American As Work is also proceeding on the engo sensor. Detective Inspector Reeves ap faru, Lahore, Fushime fare, Fan Quer.peared for the police and Messrs. D. straten at Kowloon Wharves, Bay State Brown, E. E. Selph and T. C. Liang for are tied up at buoys.
I am personally, convinced that the men have be very ill-advised by their leaders, whose attitude all through must have done much to alienate the symi pathies of the public, of Chinere and foreign nationality alike.
ingery 25th affording at Holt's Wharf, and other ships which the defencevi 1972, A
don
In the first place, taking into account the present depressed state of the ship ping industry the world over, with own: ers having to face the necessity of cat ting down overhead charges in order to musike
both ends
meet, the time was in opportune to demand a general incrsese Beuter's telegram from Lon- contrast. Therein it is stated that the shipowners' and employer organisations in England had reached complete settle- ment on the question of wages, the men seeing the necessity for and agreeing to aca pt a substantial wage reduction and the negotiations being conducted in the friendliest spirit throughout.
*
THE COAL COOLIES.
The coal coolies, who have been a rather doubtful factor up to the present, are still halding firm, though from informia tion received, yesterday, the position in Secondly, the demand for practically this direction has alightly improved Bat rate of increase on all lines operat few of the men have been working for 10g out of Bangkong was, on the face some days past, but yesterday the nam of it, not warranted by conditions, norber alightly increased. A member of did it afford a fair basis upon which to large cosling company, stated that of their conduct negotiations. The rates of wages original coal coolies gangs about per and conditions of service vary very concert, were working, but numbers of others siderably on the different lines, and, fur had been supplied from the Central Police ther, curtain Companies, of which this Station. This percentage is very small was one, voluntarily granted increases but it was an improvement on the pre to their crows in 1918 and again in 1920. vious day, when only about 3 per cent
Thirdly, and this is a most important were working. point for consideration, in refusing the This gentleman, believed that the coal original offer of arbitration, a medium coolies would resume work immediately if of settlement which had been proved of the fear of intimidation could be removed late. Yeaze-year which, have been baret The
by labour zoubles in many countries timida be
It is a great treat to playgoers to have the opportunity of witnessing a play by the famous Ocar Wilde With its brils liant satire witty dialogue, and masterly handing of thrilling situations Women of No Importance, which will be presented by the talented. Warwick Royal, stands out as one of the finest successes. That fine actress Miss Lena Flowerdew will interpret the title role, and Mr. N. Thorpe Mayne will be scra us Lord Illingworth A large and popular cast includes Misses Joan Mayne, Gertrude F. Godart, Marjory. Clark Dorothy Hadford, Nina Bradley and Messrs. Tom Fenwick, Charles Bradley. A delightful evening's entertainment, sad Dudley Howarth and Frank Wheatley.
one that should, on no account be missed. Plans open till 5 p.m., at Moatrie, and at the Theatre box office from 8.45 pm. The performance commences at 9-15 p.m.
UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE. -
Kdei Ah-mow,cin evidence, said that be had been instructed by Messrs. Butter field & Evire to secure the services of a number of seamen. Accused apparently The Assessor pointed out that this was heard of this and on the afternoon of hardly necessary. January 30th thor called on him and were teachers, unassociated in any way"
Two of the accused endeavoured to induce him not to do with the shipping industry, and they had what he had been asked.
obviously gone out of their way to create trouble. Whether ther, actually meant violence the Court could not determine but they certainly intimidated the com- plainant und attempted to prevent or persuade him from carrying out his duties to his employers.
One of the accused used threats against the life of witness in the event of his carrying on his work.
Complainant's wife gave corroborative evidence and a native detective gave evidence of arrest,
ACCUBEDS' STORY. "
Ready-to-Serve Foods
Preserved Provisions: Sausages and other deliosoiës.
LIBBY'S OX TONGUES PAYSANDU ÖX TONGUES
No. 2 Tina
$4.30
$9.75
No. 21
ET
$4:80
CORNED BEEF, IBBY'S
No. 1 Tin
•No. 2 17
:90
Q. M. E.
No. 1
J7
60
No. 2
31.00
per
cia
$1.80
$3.00
.60%
$110
75
GALANTINES, GILLARD'S
POULTON & NOEL'S
BRISKET BREF
SCOTCH HAGGIS
WHITE PUDDINGS BLACK
JUGGED HARE PIGS FEET
"
GAME PATES
BOILED MUTTON
ROAST
HAM, VEAL or BEEF LOAF SLICED BEEF
> "glaas
SARDINES por tin $1.40, 91.00, 55, 80 40.
Mr. Brown said that he would like to deal with that question. He contended that the accused were acting quite within their rights and that there had been nomin thing illegal about their acts.
One accased admitted that he belonged to a local labour union which had, throngir the press and by telegrams from Hongkong, bees kept conversant with the progress of the seamen's strike and the of accused could not be held to be an Mr. Liang also argued that the conduct factors leading up to it. The Union he illegal act. Accused, accredited repre forged to had received representations sentatives of a labour union, had sucply maid, did not fear the in from Hongkong and sea result they attempted to persuade people not to take whilst at work, but directly passed a sympathetic, resolution, and a certain action. They had every justi- to be the areas method of dealing with they finished for the day and the police decided to assist the seamen Four fication for doing this and they had been such disputes the Union Impliedly ad protection cased the threats, became & men, three of whom were in the dock, guilty of no infringement of the law mitted the process, of their position. 1. very real thing. One head osal poolie had mention here that the proposals put for stated, when asked to start work, that he delegated to carry the resolution into The Court cute to the conclukion thaż puth, would start at once provided out his wife effects on top of the short, fossmuch as be write, a mes which were published in fail in the press, and family would be protected. Assessor intimated that the Chinese date complainant, was not guilty of any Upon as conclusion of the evidence, the man, and bad not attempted to intimi and with which I take it you are no "The Company, to which this gentleman quainted, endeavoured to introduce mb-belonged, have about 12,000 tons of coal Magistrate would announce the decision offence under the law, and he was dis- Tects for arbitration other than the wage to be unloaded from vessels and lighters of the Court
charged. question and ranested shipowners' ne- but a shipping movements are still
Mr. M. D. Brown objected to any The "other two nocused were found ceptance of cond tions which would have hampered they are able to attend to all decision being arrived at until counsel guilty one being fined $50 and the other been contrary to law.
urgent orders,
for the defence had addressed the Court. #25.
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INSPECTION INVITED.