THE SEAMEN'S STRIKE. DELEGATES “RETURN TO CATH-
TO CONFER GOVERNMENT'S GENEROUS OFFER.
Everyone was remarking, Fosterday, hearing that the soamen's delegates burned to Cantor by the 3 o'clock train In order to consult their fellows: Bati I thought they claimed to have power to It seems that they had with a qualification. If the Government allowed o Union to be re-cuablished with the same title na before the delegates had power to waive all other questions and submit to arbitration, but if not, they pould do nothing.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1818, 1929
DRAMATIO MOMENTS AT TUNG
WAH MEETING.
Three wis's meeting at the Tung Wah Hospital, yesterday morning, when the mediators, appointed at the earlier meet- in there, met the four delegates from Canton The Chairman of the Tung Was Hospital (Mr. Lo Cheung Kni) prosided.
COUNSEL'S NERVOUS
BREAKDOWN.
HEARING OF IMPORTANT WILL
CASE - INTERRUPTED.
3:11
CORRESPONDENCE.
MERCANTILE MABINE MASTERS' AND OFFICERS RELIEF FUND.
{TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG
· DAILY PŘESS.”}
SIR,-The following loader appeared in the London Daly Mail on the 19th No- vember last. It speaks for itself, and I' to deal with the matter is in existonea therefors quote it as it stands.. A fund
His friends in the legal profession ṇad in Hongkong generally will learn, with Mr. R. H. Kotewall was called upon to very much regret, that Mr. C. G. give an goount of the discussions between Alabaster has had a nervous breakdown the delegates and the Chambers of Comand has been ordered a complete rest by merce representatives overnight. Mr. Kotowall said it was strongly urged upon his medical adviser, Dr. C. Forsyth. the delegates that the Government could Since the first few days of December not be expected to allow the Union to be re-established exactly as before. The until the day before yesterday Mr.
at home entitled "The Mercantile Marine meeting asked the delegates not to let Alabaster has been deeply immersed, fasters and Offices Relief Fund with this matter interfere with the negotinaounsel for the plaintiff. in an intricate its Central Committee at 28, St. Mały: tions; it was a subsidiary issue that had and interminable law suit, at the Supreme Axe, London. This fund deals with arisen since the demand for high w Court, over the disposition of a Penang anses both Dock and Engineer Officers
A long and as times heated argument millionaire's estate. The general public followed but as the situation took on a bus little conception of the long hours of much better aspect later in the day, after work, far into the night, that are neces the Government offer became known, nosary to carry on in Court for five hours good purpose will be served by recalling daily for wooks on end, Mr. Alabaster such harsh language as was used:
has been single-handed, in opposition to Mr. Eldon Potter and Mr. F. O. Jenkin, for the greater part of the time the case has been before the Court
Those who took part in the four hours discussion with the delegates the other night think that the men were convinced that the title of the Union was not" a matter on which the seamen ought to was made. stand fast. The men therefore desired to. consult their fellows and come back with wider--perhaps unlimited-powers to act However that may be, the Government his put the situation in a new light by Issuing a gunerous offer for the delegates to take back to Canton with them. It grants their demand, on one condition.
THE GOVERNMENT'S ONE CONDITION.
least, some nerbities and animosities were smoothed away.
•
For a short time he had the assistance of the late Mr. E. H." Sharp, K.C., but the lamented death of his friend and leader A week ago. naturally upset Mr. Alabaster very much indeed and for the last two or three days those con- cerned with him in the case have been much exercised about his state of health. He struggled on, evidently with difficulty, on Monday and Tuesday but yesterday morning he felt compelled to seek medical advice. Dr. Forsyth found him to be suffering from a nervous breakdown and
"Through no fault of their own over 2,000 Masters and Officers of the Mier- chant Service are now out of employ. meat. All of them rendered, to the country during the war services for which to gratitude could be too great, yet many of them have been out of work for from one to two years, their savings are exhausted, and their state is pitiable in the extreme.
They are typical members of the class which has suffered most and complained least under the conditions following on the war. It is a class to which so doles come to mitigate the wretchedness of penury. Those who compose it aro eager for work but there is no work for them, and the vast majority are self-respecting to *appeal for charity. Between merciless taxation and lack of employment this class, the most valuable in the nation, a being crushed out of existence. It is a tragedy of which very little is beard, but it is not the less poignant because it is endured in silence..
too
men,
The proceedings were madenly inter rupted by a request for the attendance of the Chairman at the office of the Beere tary for Chinese Affairs "to receive a important communication." The meet ing remained in session awaiting the out After reiterating the declaration that come. It was explained to the assembly the Union was only closed because it that after the four-hour meeting at the exceeded its legitimate bounds, and not Chamber of Commerce the night before because it asked for an increase of wages, representations were male to the Secre the Government undertakes, if the men tary for Chinese Affairs by the Hon. Mr. will give proof of freedom from lawless. Lang and Mr. Kotewall on the ness. to cancel the proclamation closing subject of the time of the Seamen's the Union. The proof required is that Union. It was suggested thas possibly all camen and all workmen whom they the call for the Chairman's attendance involved in the strike must return to work and await the award of arbitrators had something to do with this and that
there might soon be "good tidings." The ship-owners have agreed, at“ the suggestion of the Government, to renew! It was agreed to drop business disordered complète rest.
The Supreme Court, therefore, did not their former. offor of increased wages.cussion and to wait and pass the time' These would be payable from the date of in friendly chat. In the course of it, at siu yesterday but the case will be mens
The case of these 2,000 highly trained return to work, but addition to the scale
tioned this morning when the question of -o subtraction from it would be within
the length of adjournment will be con
condemned to almost hopeless poverty, despite all they have done and the sole discretion of the arbitratora.
A little later, the telephone bell rang sidered. As no junior counsel was with
borne, ought to awaken the public to again; the delegates from Canton were Mr. Alabaster in the action there is no
a knowledge of the disastrous process SIMPLE AND GENEROUS TERMS. wanted at the B.C.A's office. This one on whom its conduct, can be devolved.
brought the proceedings to a close. The Mr. G. E. Hall Brution, who is theThe Relief Fund has already expended
which is now going on." It is understood that the Government's delegates, no doubt, were then acquainted solicitor concerned, is of course fully nearly £17,000 in assisting over 1,000 offer, was thrashed out at a late and pro- with the Government's offer and a conversant with the case, and his ability individual cases. Of late its funds have tracted meeting of the Executive Council observer who saw them leave Post Office in Court is well known, but it would need been on the point of running out, and on Tuesday night: If the seamen have Building noted that they were looking special dispensation for a solicitor to its efforts have been sadly drippled for agreed to mbmit their other points to highly pleased. The afternoon train for act in place of a barrister,... arbitration it seems unlikely that they Canton went out five minutes late and it The situation which has arisen may tirely irrupective of membership of the want of money; It is administered en- will find anything to object to in the Government's offer. The advantage of is believed that the departure of the dele handling the situation in this way is that gates had something to do with it.solve a difficulty which many have fore different societies; and the cop of the it eaven any further haggling and jour Negotiation and conference had been seen since the names of the suggested administration is sil.
It has been, suggested that Officers of perings to and fro between here and almost continuous for over twenty-four arbitrators in the seamen's dispute were Canton All that the delegates have to hours and high hopes are entertained of announced. The question was how the British Merchant Service coming int with the will caso on hand-the Chief Hongkong, and also their many friends Bay Take the next trains back to
Justice (Sir William Beas Davies) would resident in the colony, might like to assist Hongkong and your Union will be wait
President of the the above Fund. The following gentle- ing for you when you get there." (Also,
be free to Arbitration Board (if and when the sea men have signified their willingness · to a considerable increase of pay.) It seems
men accept arbitration). If the will case receive contributions, and subscription Jikely, judging from Chinze mass-pay- chology, that the men will see the reason-
has to be held up for a month it will lista will be opened in their respective ableness of this and come over en masse.
leave the Chief Justice free to act as Pro offices. sident of the Arbitration Board. Sym- The Secretary, The China Coast Off- HIGH QUALITY OF NINGFO
paths must be felt for the litigants, many cers Guild
CREWS.
A favourable outcome.
HOW THE CANTON MARKETS ARE
AFFECTED.
The cotton yara market in Canton is stated to be in a critical condition. Stocks on hand are running thorter. No new stocks have arrived since a month ago, on account of the stoppage of the running
of the different Hongkong, The delegates will also tell the men semen's strike. Should the strike be Shanghai and Canton steamers caused by no doubt the fact was communicated to the dolezaten before she led the prolonged for a month or half a month China, the Monteagle and the Empres of The Canton Times states that there are
stocks will be practically exhausted. Japan left, yesterday afternoon with full at least several hundred taxtile factories crews of Ningpo men. It will probably in Canton and Fatahan, each of them also interest the seamen in Canton to know that the new arrivals created a very employing fifty to several hundred work- good impression, in both cases, by the men and workwomen. If the yarn supply evidence they gave of knowledge of their is exhausted it will mean the temporary duties and of the English language-an suspension of those industrial enterprises Importad matter in the case of vessels consequently a large number of workers trading between here and the United will be out of employment, States. The officers, we understand, are
SEAMEN'S STRIKE AFFECTS quite satisfied with the crows.
FATSHAN.
We are asked to state, by the way, that. the .. Nanking, will leave at noon on February 20th, certain More than that we are not permitted to divulge
----
"PROOF OF FREEDOM FROM UNLAWFULNESS.' Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs issued the following com- muniqué---
[Translation.]
"
The Canton Times.saya:
*
of whose witnesses come from Penang. The Secretary, The Institution of and are naturally anxious to return.Engineers and Shipbuilders.
Alabaster speedy recovery. He has
Meanwhile everyone will wish Mr The Secretary, The Marine Engineers
Guild of China.“ high reputation as conscientious and painstaking advocate who spares no effort devotion to the duties of his profession. to do his utmost for a client and his coupled with the strain of public work have been responsible for his present ill-Seamen's Institute, 21, Praya East,
February 15th, 1922.
ness,
SINCERE COMPANY SALES-
MAN IN TROUBLE.
IMPRISONED FOR THEFT.
A Chinese salesman, employed in the Cloth Department of the Sincere Com- pany, was charged at the Magistracy, yesterday morning, before Mr. Lindsell, with stealing a quantity of new clothing from the Company.
the stolen clothing had been found in the Inspector Cargill said that, a portion of
The Becretary, The Phoenix Club. The Chaplain, The Seamen's Institute. I'm sir, yours 'faithfully,
G. T. WALDEGRAVE.
BLASTING AFTER REGULATION HOURS. BUILDING CONTRACTOR
SUMMONED
Mr. Lam Woo, the well-known building contractor, was summoned before Mr. Lindsell, at the Magistracy, yesterday morning for conducting, blasting opera- tions after regulation hours.
The defendant's explanation was that
A report from Fatshan states that the market in Fatehan has also been greatly | affected by the recent strike of seamen, Owing to the exhaustion of cotton yarn supplies, the textile business in the city who expected to do a great deal of busi is practically tied up. Many silk factories nesa during the beginning of the year, have met with unexpected bad luck as received from all firms abroad as the re- the Secretary for Chinese Affairs has com sult of uncertainty of shipping condition municated the following decision to the created by the strike. Many other kinds sedmen's representatives:
of business are also at a standstill a tho 1.-The Seamen's Union was closed be result of the slump of these two import cause, it exceeded. ite legitimate ant fndustries in the city. It is also re- bounds and broke the law Hang-ported, rice and other daily necessitica Kong, not because it asked for an have greatly advanced in prices recently. increase of waKOS
COULIES EMERGENCY WAGES REDUCED.
On instructions from the Government. few orders have recently been defendant's box. On the Tuesday one of he could not do the work earlier in thal
The Governor absalutely requires proof of freedom from pnlawfulness before he can change: his present -attitude. -If it is desired to giv
to give prost o freedom from unlawfulness, all sea-
the employés of the Company found two afternoon as the place where the blasting pawn tickets, which had apparently been took place was occupied at the time by dropped by the defendant. The foki took a large number of workers, belonging to the tickets to the manager of the Cloth the Kowloon Docks. This place was in Department, who retained one of the Station Lane, Hung Hom. The manager tickets and returned the other to the of the Dock had warned him not to blast defendant. On the same day stock was earlier as it was not safe whilst the dock taken in the department and a number workers were about of coats and pieces of cloth were missing.
Inspector Aris said that the defendant The defendant pleaded guilty to taking had a special permit to bast after re- some of the articles. He said he had been gulation hours inside the Dockyard. This tempted to steal as he was short of permit was issued by the P.W.D., but it money.
was not issued for blasting operations outside the Works.
"
a
When arrested; Inspector Caygill said that 8130, a gold wristlet watch and pair of gold bangles, were found in the
defendant's possession.
Mr. Lindsell said that as far as be
could see the Ordinance did not allow for
the issue of a special permit by the Questioned by the Magistrate as to why P.W.D. The Ordinance was very clear he had said that he was "hard up," the that no dispensation of any kind could defend said that the money had just be granted unless there was a special been remitted to him from the country notification,
On Tuesday morning a circular was ced by the Police stating that the men and all workmen whom they special rate of pay offered to coolies involved in the strike-must return employed, through the medium of the to work and Hongkong resums its police, on cargo work had been reduced normal condition, before it can be by 50 cents. The rate of pay previously considered that proof of freedom offered was $1.53, plus 20 cents allowance from anlawfulness has been furni for food. Under the new order the rate shed,
now is $1 for coolice working on ships --If all come back to work first on and 50 cents for coolies working on shore,
the conditions offered by the ship plus 20 bents in each case for food or He stole the clothing before receiving the Inspector, Aris said that no such noti owners (of which a copy is append The order caused some consternation money.
fication had ever been issued so far as he ed) and wait the award of the amongst the coolies who had been work The Magistrate: In that case you knew.. arbitrators, the Governor will canceling at the higher rate and at 7 o'clock ought to have returned the clothing In The Magistrate adjourned the case for the proclamation closing the Union yesterday morning not one. coolie had review of the fact that some of the clothing one week to enable Inspector Aris to
[Translation.]
ported at the Central Police station. On has not been recovered you will have to make further enquirite into the matter. At the suggestion of the Governor, the other mornings by that hour the Parade pay $100 out of the money you have in ship owners are willing to reinstate their Ground has been crowded with coolies your possession to the Sincere. Company, former offer of increased wages to take seeking work. Inspector Grant, who has and go to prison for six weeks effect from the day on which the seamen been in charge of the distribution of return to work This scale of wages ·ច merely a temporary scale,ponding arhites labour at the Central Police Station, tion and is on no account to be taken as fearing thay intimidation was 0.06 ZOTY a basis from which, the arbitrators will being used immediately commenced to work. Addition to it or subtraction from make enquiries and found that hundreds it are alike within the sole discretion of of coolies were, in the neighbourhood of the arbitrators. The scale offered is re-, peated below
Fer Cent,
Chinese R
River Steamers. Other Chinese steamers up to
1,000 D.W. Tons.....
25
25
Canton, Hongkong, and Macao
Steamboat Co. Blenmera
15
Other British Companies River Steamers (taking the scale of
Canton
Stramboat Co. as base) ......
Hongkong and Macao
Consting Steners
Java Lines
essend
Pacific Lines ARTY
European Lines
'Australian Lines
19
"FOOD SUPPLIES FOR HONGKONG
COMMANDEERED.
A Chinese news agency a week ago was the station, but they were afraid to come the authority given by the Shanghai forward. After little encouragement papers that nine, vessels cariying food.. the men began to roll up in hundreds and suits to Hongkong have been comman ware, marched off to their allotted jobs deered by the strikers at Kongmoon and nude the usual police protection. As taken to Canton.!!
EFFECTS IN FORMOSA.
IMPROPER STORAGE OF GASOLENE,
GARAGE PROPRIETOR FINED.;
Garage was summoned at the Magistracy,
The proprietor of the Mercury Motor yesterday, before Mr. Lindsell, with stor- ng 16 gallons of gasoline in a place other than the properly constructed well pro vided for the storing of inflammable material:
on the 3rd, inst. he entered the garage Sergt. Stimson stated that at 230 p.m. and found i four gallon drums of gasolene placed on top of the well. Ho naked the proprietor why they were not stored in the
the coolies moved off several gangs of men collected at the street corners and booed" the volunteers. They scattered
A despatch from Takao, Fermosa, when two policemen, approached. The malcontents were not strikers but men appearing in Japan papers, reports that who were considered to be unsuitable for several hundred landing coolies are suffer cargocoolie work. On the face of it theng from hunger and cold in that port incident appears to have been the result as not a single ship has entered harbour proper place. The proprietor replied for seal days owing to the Chinese that they had been placed there tempor seamen's strike at Hongkong.
of a little jealousy caused by the fact that
their services were not required.
Over 500,000 piculs of sugar are piled up in the
arily. pier ware-house awaiting shipment.
A fine of $25 was imposed.
(Continued at foot of nezt columa.)
ONEIDA COMMUNITY
RELIANCE
The silverware of lasting satisfaction
5 PATTERNS IN STOCK.
LANE, CRAWFORD&CO.!
SHERWOOD'S
RYSTOLITE
THE IDEAL ENGLISH WHITE ENAMEI
Sold in quarts, i and 1 gallon tins
THE ENAMEL THAT WON'T TURN YELLOW,
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
L1341 L1342
HONGKONG
ORCHESTRA & BAND RECORDS
JUST RECEIVED
L1360 & HUBERTS UNFINSHED
SYMPHONY PARTS 141
1738
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
PARIST & 2
FICTURES FROM AN
EXIBITION IN 4 PARTS
2479
MARCHE LORRAINE
L1352
4
MOZART QUINTETTE
PARTS 1 & 2
231
REGIMENT OF SABRE & MEUSE Therz Dances Fax HENRY VIII
FARI812
*
2258
BIRTHDAY SERENADE
UN PUI D'AMOUR
1897
THE POLICEMAN'S HOLIDAY
JUST PUSHING RUND
ANDERSONS
(Opponite City Ball)
Powell
TELEPHONE 3146,
SALE
BEFORE STOCK TAKING
FURNISHING DEPT.
MONDAY 12th to SATURDAY 13th.
GENUINE REDUCTIONS ON EVERYTHING IN THE DEPARTMENT
AND
VERY SPECIAL CLEARING PRICES FOR ODDMENTS & REMNANTS