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THE SHIPPING CONTROL CONTROVERSY.
·COLONIAL SECRETARY'S REPLY
sees it
TO SHANGHAI CRITICS.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 1923.
ever
SPORT.
LAWN BOWLS,
INTERESTING MATCH AT THE KOWLOON BOWLING, GREEN, 10
FOOTBALL
A Council meeting of the H.K.FA. was held at Victorin Barracks on Monday evening, when the following were elected to were on Committers;
Appeals Committee-Capt. Barrett, RGPyar.-Lt. Hargreaves, R.N., Messrs. H. M. McTavish and F. Smith with the Hon. Secretary, HK PA.
THE FINANCIAL HIDR
A ten representing the Royal Hong- As regards the financial side of the questi tho continual taking of vessels
kong Yacht Club Bowling Section will for war purposes resulted in an
meet the Shanghai Interport team on the Yacht Club's rink at it pan, on Friday, incroning shortago -of shipping for ordi- nary inde, and freight rates: soured
The following will represent the Yacht rapidly, The Imperial Government de The Noll Daily News of the 12th inst.cided that it was unfair that owners. What was perhaps the most interesting Club: W Adunson, T. H. G. Brayfield, publishes, the following Jetter from the whose ships had not been taken for war match of the series of Interport friendly. Shields (or C. V. Mark) and G. R.
purposes, should reap the benefit of a games played in Hongkong during the Edwards (Skip); Hon. Mr. A. O M. Fletcher, C.M., rise in prices, which was due solely to last week, was played at night at the CBE, Colonial Secretary, Hongkong: the compulsory withdrawal of competing Kowloon Bowling Green Club. True the Sir-The letters of August 14th and ships and was not the result of individual Shanghai bowlers suffered another defeat enterprise, and it decreed that there-the most decisive one they have had 17th, from Mr. Moller and Mr Barkill, should be equality of treatment for all (25-17)-at the hands of the Bowling COUNCIL MEETING OF THE H.K.F.A. make it evident that their disagreement All were to be paid on the same lasis, with the Hongkong Government on the and no owner was to be allowed to profit grace. Bad luck seems to have dogged Green Club, but they did not suffer dis- shipping control question is hated, to a certain extent at least, upon a misunder kong laverument was not naked, to ex-
at the expense of the others. The Hong their footsteps right from the word "go standing, and I therefore ask the hos press an opinion on this matter.
and yesterday it was especially notice- It was able. If they had a good lay they were pitality of your columns to explain the definitely ordered, and the paint was sure to lose it in a most unfortunate situation as the Hongkong Government reiterated as a result of subsequent re- manner. And the big margin of 11 points presentations, that the remuneration of does not by any means signify that the the ships which it managed must not be Kowloon Bowling Green men were ND appreciably higher or lower than that of much better than their opponents. Un competing vessels registered and owned doubtedly they were good hit so were the in the United Kingdom. The rates to be Shanghai men and taking the game all I had missed the significance of pre with Eastern allowance, and the adequacy about it. The green was helpful to the paid were known as Blue Book rates, round there was nothing dull or poor rious statements regarding theme of the of this payment in ordinary circumstances pinyers and where the home nten seemed ships in aid or defence of the Colony-may be indged in the light of Mir, to have the advantage was on the long but Mr. Moller and Mr. Burkill have now made it clear that they are under the
there were plenty of them; whilst the Heads, which suited them admirably and impression that the Governor con- mandeered them under the Order-in-
shorter heads--the Shanghai favourite Council of 1896, which perinitted him to
were not so plentiful. *require any person to supply any animals, vehicles, ships, bonts, or other personal property to the Government, if uch property be required in aid of or in connection with the delers of the Colony and, being under that impres sion, Mr. Malfer and Mr. Burkill resent the und which was made of certain of the ships, notably the Wulliren, claiming that, although they were ostensibly taken in aid of or in connection with the de- fauce of the Colony, they were in fact employel solely for purposes of profit
I may in the first place take the op- portunity to express the pleasure with which I have read the very kind refer Bences to myself in hoth letters.,
making.
Government gave him 815010 a month Burkill's admission that the Hongkong for the Patriot, which'st date of requist The Hongkong Government cannot agree tion war chartered for $12,000 a month.
of the ehem. It has been pointed out in that any owner suffered loss as a result my report that Mr. Moller received he tween 30.000 and $400,000 in respect of the broken charter of the Castlefield, and that Mr. Burkill never claimed any loss in respect of his ships.
THE LESS FAVOURABLE TREATMKIT.
The Hongkong Government has from the commencement maintained the poi tion that most of the local, owners re ceived in favourable treatment than was accorded to owners under the Imperial But the Governor did not requisition Scheme, for the reason that the locally the ships: the ships were not taken in managed vessels were for the most part nid of or in connection with the defence older tha competing ships and cost more of the Colony, but were to he used, ilin marine risk insurance, coal, and re- not otherwise required, on the owners' pairs, and in maintenazer generally. The ordinary businesas and the Order-in Imperial Government has informed the Council never enme into the matter at owners that it is prepared to receive further representations under this head, but it he warned them that any con- cession which the Hongkong Government may wish to suggest must be reviewed at home by the various departments inter- ested in the matter, before any under- taking an be given.
KIL
ORGANIZING THE MERCANTILE MARINE.
To come to the run of the play, col were good. lectively and individually both teams twos and threes respectively for Kowloon, Bart and Guy, the Nos were just a little unsafe at times. All the others were steady. Individually the out- standing player yesterday was Tomlinson Throughout the week he has consistently shown good form and yesterday there was Crawford had some keen tussles and both a continuance of this Cheetham and of them found the jack several times. holding Barr whilst Shaw was just a little Tomlinson experiented no difficulty in better than Guy but at times he was inclined to be a little on the heavy side. Veitch had to make risky drives now and Both Skips were about on a par hut
Again to try and straighten out some mis fortune or mishap which would keep cropping up. Russell could be relied upon to lay a good "wood,"
Referees Committee.-Messrs. F. Smith, G. right, H. M. McTavish and R. J. RS.. Cook, R.G.A., with Mr. G. T. Omar, Y. of S. Morris, H.N., and May (Secretary).
LEAGUE FIXTURES, ...'.
The following are the opening matches in the Hongkong Leagues:→
SATURDAY, SEPTIMBER 29TH.. Division 1.-Kickoff; 5.15 p.m. H.M.S. imeile r. H.M.S. Tamar,
Navy"A" ground. Kowloon King's Regt. Kowloon
ground. Hongkong Club. Hongkong Police,
Club ground..
Division I-Kick-off, 4'p.m.
St. Joseph's r. Diomede Reserves, St.
Joseph's ground.
"
Club Reserves e. King's Reserves, Club
ground.
South China" Ar. South China
B." South China ground Tamar Reserves. Kowloon Reserves,
Navy "A"grund. R.G.A. Reserved. Sacred Heart, Soo-
kunpoo"A" ground.
SATURDAY, 'DCTOBER (TH... Dizisi 4-Kick-off, i p.m. H.M.S. Tamar 7. H.M.S. Diomede,
Sockunpoo "B" ground. King's Regt. Kowloon, Sookunpoo
Aground.
The game opened in a sensational man uer. Shanghai could not score and at the eighth head they had only two shots to their credit as against the Kowloon men's nineteen. They got three of the next four heads (6-21) and the spectators looked for rapid levelling out of things, At the at the luck would not come, fifteenth head by getting a much needed three the score stood at (9-23). They Club de Recrein St. Joseph's, Kow- got going a little better in the last six of the six. In the last head by means of heads, getting the advantage in four out
J
Hongkong Police me, R.G.A., Kowloon
ground. Division 11.-Kick-off, 3.45 p.m.
Icon ground.
મ
As the war progressed, the increasing Josses of tonnage emphasized more and more the vital necessity of organizing the British Mercantile Marine, in arder to ensure that every ship should be used in the most economical way to meet the
The management of the Hongkong ships ngst pressing needs, and to enable the resulted in a large proft and similarly Shipping Controller to take with the least ships under direct control from home possible delay any vessels that might be brought in a large proat. The Imperial directly required for war purposes. The Goverment ordered that these profits Imperial Government accomplished this must be retained by the community, and end by means of the Liner Requisition it enforced its order by the Indemnity Selene, which was applied in the spring det at home and by the Indemnity Or a drive (a Bends much resorted to by King's Reserves. South China"," dianes in Hongkong The ultimate the Shanghai men in the latter part of disposal of the money held in Hongkong the game) Shanghai scored four shots has not been decided upon, but it is the which made things look a little better intention to use it either for the benefit on paper. of shipping in Far Eastern waters or directly for the benefit of the Imperial Goveroment.
of 1018 to all vessels of United Kingdom registry on Indian and Far Eastern Ser vices, as for example the ships of the Indo-Chinn and China Savigation Com- panies, and was extended in the spring of 1918 to all vessels of Singapore, Hong kong, and Shanghai registry. The Hong- kong and Shanghai vessels were requisi tioned by the Admiralty, were put under the control of Colonel Thomson an agent for the Shipping Controller, and were handed over to the Hongkong Govern- ment to manage, The Shipping Control ler similarly handed over ships to the Peninsular and Oriental Company and other parties to manage; making use of the men and machinery on the spot in stead of sending out inen, who already had more work than they could cope with at hovia..
With gard to the Indemnity Ordin ance: Mr. Burkill asks why, when the owners brought their action in December, 1019, did not the Hongkong Governor non-suit them by defending the action and proving that, it should have been brought against the Imperial Government. This is exactly the Course which the Hongkong Government proposed, but the Imperial Government decreed otherwise, Mr. Burkill was person ally informed at the Colonial Office that the indemnity Ordinance was not The Hongkong Government obeyed a device of the Hongkong Government to orders-it was the Spring of 1916, a moat meet their own special difficulties, but critical period in the war-without argu- was passed on the instructions of His ment us to the legal authority under Majesty's Government, as similar Ordio- which the Infperial Government was act ances, were passed in Colonies similarly ing, and, when the owners' solicitors ask-situated, and were intended to carry out ed what the authority was, the Hong-the deliberata intention and decision of kong Government, not knowing the an- | His Majesty's Government that ship- swer, referred them to the Imperial owners in Hongkong and claewhere in the Government, stating that it was anag ing the ships on behalf and under instruc- tiqus from the Imperial Governmait,
LISER REQUISITION SCHEME
The
a piece of and it was in-
i-
The teams were:
SHANGHAI
Cheetham Tomlinson Shaw
Veitch (Skip),
BRANCHAT.
KOWLOON "B.4.C. Crawford Barr Gay
The progressive scores were j
No. of
head. Shots. Total.
ག
3
H.M.S. Dimède Res. . South Chipa "B." Sookunpoo B" ground.
Soukanpoo 4" ground.
Owing to the Gymkhana taking place on October 6th it was decided that no football should be pherd at Happy Valley on that date,
Russell (Skip)
KOWLOON B.SC.
Shota, Total
THE
+
1
5
7
13
19
13
14
J5
#16
17
18
20
(Continued on next column.)
COMPANY MEETING
"SANDAKAN" "LIGHT · AND
POWER CO., LTD.
The annual meeting of the Sandakan
Ligla and Power Co, Ltd., took place at
the Company's offices, St. George's Build-
ings, yesterday forcmount
The chair was taken by Mr. W. A. Adamson, those also present being Messrs. W. J. Hawker (of the Consulting Committee), A. L. Shickls, J. Topping, F. J. Travares, Á ̈ ̈A. Estulho, H. H. Taylor, and Two Tsan Tai (shareholders) and the Secretary (Mr. §. F. Chubb).
Proposing the adoption of the report and accounts, the CHAINAN said:- Colonies must not be placed in any way
These accounts show a loss of $17,733.36 and for the same person as was given you in a more favourable position than ship ownere in this Conatry. It was
on a previous occasion, viz., the heavy cnly for technical reasefis, not specially
interest on borrowed funds. I am glau, affecting Hongkong, that it had been
however, to be able to report that the loss The general policy of the Liner Requisi- | dezidéd not to apply the Imperial Indem-
on working account is half what it was tion Scheme, as regards both vessels nity Act to the Colonies
for, the previous year, that is, '84,245.50. registered at home and vessels registered | Hongkong Ordinance was
For the current year this account will in the Far East, is outlined in the Imperial policy
show a profit, The cost of coul has Colonial Secretary's letter of Marh ard, conceivable that it should be disallowed." the Liner Reginsition Scheme, and the decided to inaugurate the Company, coal proved, a handicap, for whereas when we 1913, which is quoter in full by Mr. Mr. Burkill objects to the use of the Governor never requisitioned a single was quoted at $8.30, it bas in the interval Moller in his recent letter: It has been allruct the Singapore Rangoon run Vessel. Details of the Singapore action risen to 14.30. To reduce our post in decided to bring under Government count. $110,000 a month and he states that did not reach the Hongkong Government this direction we have installed a sawdust tral ali steamers flying the British flag the right course would have been to hand until some months after the Indemnity furnace which has effected & considerable which have not been requisitioned for the ships back to the original rice charter Ordinance was wided upon, and the Imperial services and which are not under ters at $51,000 a month, But, in accord Hongkong Government's policy was not sing, but, as it has periodically to be the control of His Majesty's Ministry of ance with the Imperial Government's affected they in any way whosoever been, unable to dispense with coal to the shut down for cleaning, we have so far Shipping in London. Your vessel will be instruations, the owners were to run the Mr. Moller calls me to task brought under Government requisition ship as if for themselves: the owners in- ing in my report his use of the word "xtent we should like. However, this and control, similar to that of vessels troduced and pressed for acceptance of the immediately. He claims that he used should be accomplished when the second. under the Home Liner Requisition $110,000 charter, wishing to doubt to get the expression "almost immediately" and furnace, now nearing completion, is in Scheme. It is intended that so far as their 5 per cent, commission on the larger that I omitted and overlooked the all working order, and thereafter it will only practicable, you should run your vessels instead of on the smaller.sum: other almost" ders not occur in the published of emergency, such as when very heavy important word 'a'most'." The word be necesary to have coal on hand in case as for yourselves, though on Government rangements had been made for the neces
where your insincer is anry supply of rice and the Singapore report of Mr. Moller's speech, and I take rains make it almost impessible to get that of a regular, established line, it is Hangood charter enabled the Hongkong exception to his action in putting the sawdust. We have now all the plant we not the desire of the Government to Government both to comply with are blame of omitting it upon me interfere with the nature of it or with quest from the Singapore Government to your method of conducting it except in supply clics to mine tin for war pur- so far as national interests might require, poses, and also to keep open the import
The general intention is that, suhant Rangoon connection. ject always to the instructions of the Shipping Control Committee, you should
account
A-SINGAPORE ACTION
NO SHIELDING,
TO
at present" require, and we do not anti- cipate any further expenditure in this direction for years to come. The units kong Government is shielding itself beper cont, over the preceding year, due It has been suggested that the Hang- sold for power show au increase of 250 hind the Imperial Government in the largely to the ice factory having adopted sere that it admits that soine injustice electric drive. We cannot expect any run your vessel ns for yourselves, though Mr. Moller and Mr. Burkill Fer to
has been done for which however the such increase during the current twelve on account of the Government, who con a suit sucessfully brought by the Eastern Imprint Government is to blame. The months unless the timber companies make fidently look to you to conduct, the busi. Steamship Company-in Singapore against hind, nebody. It has published a plain The consumption for fight purpose has Hongkong "Government shields itself he further demands for electrical power. ness with as much zeal and care ne if the Government of the Straits ett statement of facts and it now adds the gone up only ten per cent, owing to brd your own interests were still involved.? ments they describe this action as being expression of its opinion that, so far times having induced consumers
It will be seen, and Mr. Moller who similar to the Wollowra action: and they from there being any question of blame, economise in this direction, and also to quotes these instructions should surely suggest that the decision in Singapore the policy adopted although distasteful the slow growth of the town. have realized, that there was no sugges influenced the policy as to the Indemnity to a few individual, was manifestly. tion that the chips were commandeered Ordinance in Hongkong. There was no right and in the interests of the Empiretion of the report and accounts.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the adop in aid of or in connection with the de- similarity between the two actions. The whole fence of the Colony. I think that Mr Eastern Steamship Company refund to What Would Mr. Moller and Mr. M SHIELD seconded, and the motion ST. Williamson, Chairman of the Ship- operate their vessels under the Liner Burkill have? Their ships did not even was carried. obre Protection Association, will bear Requisition Scheme; the Governor there belong to an old-established line, but were ane out when I say that the Government upon requisitioned them with an intima required after the outbreak of war, and secondled, that Messrs W. J. Hawker "Mr. TOPPING proposed, and Mr. TAYLOR gave all information in its possession to tion that they would be removed from the why should they, secure from the perils and Tong Hok Ting be re-elected to the every inquirer without reserve and per Company's management and the Court of the war in far-off Shanghai, be chosen Consulting Committer. haps, if Mr. Moller and Mr. Burkill had found the this expropriation, in the out from all other British shipowners to form in which it was carried out, was reap the results of others ancrifices-1 not in exercise of any of the powers on am, etc ferred upon the Governor. In Hongkong no owner refused to run his ship under
A. G. M. FLETCHER Colonial Secretary's Office, (Contined at foot of next column.)
Hongkong, September 8th, 1923.
been resident in the Colony at the time, there would have been no misunderstand ing regarding the purpose of the Scheme, the method of requisition, wer risk ineux- ance, and kindred matters.
The motion was carried.
Mesura. Percy Smith, Seth & Fleming, together with Mesura Lowe, Bingham & Matthews, were elected auditors.
This concluded the business of the meet- ing.
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ARE
ALWAYS IN SEASON,
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AND
ALWAYS IN FAVOUR.
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GOOSEBERRI BLACK CURRANTS
RASPBERRIES
STRAWBERRIES
in Syrup
$0.70
.80
1.60
1.65
1.20
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
No. 1 EXTRA FINE OLD BRANDY.
THE SHARK. BRANDY.
Per bottle, including duty
2.00
1.25
24.00
case
Bottled by Boutillier, Delauriere & Co.
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