Page
THE POSITION OF NEW EMPLOYEES. WILL THE SEAMEN'S UNION TRY TO PROMOTE FURTHER TROUBLE?
STATEMENT BY HARBOUR, MASTER.
...
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY,
When, the members of the Seamen's Union return from Capton, it is anticipated, in some quarters, that, they will guin attempt to tie ap work on the launches plying in the harbour, unless they are reinstated on the wages they were drawing before the strike.
As regards the Harbour Office, we Colour is given, to this. belief by the following statement mads to the Daily are in abwolute accord with and acting Karay, yesterday morning, by an official | in full scoperasion with the mercantile
ef one of the local companies, whose Launches, are now manned by crews, r
craited through the Poller, Department
This ellicial said:-
fru
IMPORTED CREWS.
ཏཱ་
JULY GUTH, 1925
CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE LOCAL STRIKE, INTIMIDATION IN À NOVEL FORM. As each day passes the local strike pos tion shows more improvement: It was
A meeting of the Chinese Chamber of reported yesterday that mors workers had returned to Kowloon Docks," the Commerce was held yesterday, when. 3 Cement Works. and Messrs W. Li Yau Tsuen presided. The meeting Bailey's, while other firnis report that had been primarily called for diarosion further men are slowly coming back. I on the present financial crisis. is understood that re engagement on re duced scales were offered, and in most cases, rendily accepted.
INTIMIDATION.
..
What appears to be something in the nature of a new form of intimidation has come to light. Outside the Navul Yard and at the Eastern district depot of the Sanitary Department notices in Chinese have been discovered posted up to the effect that if the workmen wish to be
With regard to the question of im- porting crews from Singapore, Colombo, or Southern India: to man local craft, it Having notice that the new crews is purely a matter for private concerns. an.my.company's lúanches were not work-Such crews, even on the Star Ferry allowed to continue their work, they hack verand in banking business to con
- The Chairman said that representations had been made to the Chamber by a number of merchants concerning the It had financial crisis in the Colony. been pointed out that considerable dif- ficulty had been experienced in getting loans from the banks. As far as he knew most of the money in the Colony was tied up in shares and that was the reason for the present crisis. He suggested that the Chamber should appoint representatives the ship's better pay $100 each for peace." Nothing suit with representatives of the banks on the patiers gives an indication as to concerning what might be done! He also their origin, but it in obvious that they suggested that there should be a joist have been posted in an attempt to try meeting of the Hongkong Chamber of Mr. Chan Pik Chuen considered that to stop workers from reining work, Commerce and their own Chamber. The polices have failed in their object, however, for the working at both the joint meeting with the Hongkong above establishments have continued at Chamber of Commerce and a conference their occupations as usual, paying no at-with representatives of the banks would tention to the notices...
ing as if their heart was in the job, boats, could be signed ou called them all together and, through articles, if employers so demanded. The thoughly competent interpret, excrews of boats working within the harbour plained to them that my company had limits are not a-going crews and offered their stendly jobs tu torns which come under the local ordinance and on cutailed bonuses and prusions, provided under the Merchant Shipping Act. they gave satisfaction.
213
Asked whether he considered it would
For instance the Star Ferry boats do winertons not have to carry officers or engineers, After conversing in among themselves, their, spokesman reholding, Board of Trade irtificates. plied that, while they fully understood Neither the coxswains nor the engineers the terms offered them; they dare not pro, sit for the Board of Trade examinations, to remain permanently with, the "We bold special examinations for then company. On the return of the members at this office"" of the Seamen's Union, the former em ployees of the company would expect be advisable for Government and private their jobs tack and if the present me firms to introduce non-Chinese labour for refused to leave the launches they would local vessels, the Harbour Master re- de eventually compelled to do so by the plied. zumbers of the Seamen's Union, who
It is not.for me to express an opinion would stop at nothing to ensure the
un that point, for publicatio in the news Union members lwing reinstated.
papers It is purely a quration of Gov. HARBOUR MASTER'S STATEMENT.ermanent policy. My official opinion on
this question is given to Government-- and to Government only.” „
Ja
HOUSEBOYS CHARGED.
"
avail nothing. He thought that the | Chamber should discuss what was to be - CASUAL "LABOUR PLENTIFUL.
done with the large stocks of rice lying The fact that strikers are being pre in the godowns to the value of 8 million vented from returning from Cadton is dollars. The Government had prohibit- ance of absenterism. The casual day became.bad, and this was not improbable. almost solely responsible for the continued the export of rice and if the stocks Labour supply is in excess of the demand. then the merchants would lose tremen- From today the Tramway Company dously. It was the practico amongst Kennedy Town. Previously Whitig Street their business to contract by verbal will run a service right through to Chinese merchants in the transaction of has been the terminus. Happy Valley agreement only and if the rice went bad, a difficult position, cars will no longer stop at the Post Office. the exporter would lose. The rice dealers but will go to their old terminus at were therefore in Whitty Street. The service between Cause Shareholders bad claim on the brokers. way Bay and Quarry Bay will be extend because contracts were written, but it ed right through to Shaukiwas from was not so with the Chinese merchant when he claimed bis, money. It would be remembered that, a few years ago during Saturday next.
the rice famine the Government bought rice and sold it cheaply: He understood" that the Government had lost a few million dollars at that time. If such a loss was experienced by the merchants it would be disastrous and he considered that it was of vital importance that the Government should raise the embargo,
Mr. Ho la Asked Mr. Chan to make a At a previous hearing it was stated full statement concerning the present that the two men had told the complain-stock of rice in the Colony. Mr. Chan ant that if he did not cense work he replied that he had already handed in would be killed. The first defendant had the statement to the Chinese representa- stated that complainant owed him some tives of the Council for submission to money and he had naked for it.
It was decided that a guest be inade His Worship said that complainnet had Every man in the Harbour Depart-ot stated in evidence at the previous by the Chamber to the Chinese represeq ment. who went on strike, was considered hearing that the men had threatened him tatives to approach the Government and Inspector appeal that the exportation of rice and He lost all his if he did not cease work. as being dismissed.
Hutchins said that complainant had saither commodities be allowed. Two mem-- previous service towards pension and so but the interpreter had not translated beers of the Chamber were, chosen to meet the Chinese representatives of the Coun Lieut-Commander. Holes sluttet gratuity, besides forfeiting all good con.it.
His Worship.said he found the first cit. duct allowances and any incrementa be
The Chairuan proposed that a resolu- The whole thing is political and not had earned. The few men whom I have defendant guilty of trying to extract
money by threats and senteced him to tion be handed to the Government to the a strike in the true sense of the word taken back are engnized ag new hands at six months' hard labour. The second de-effect that the Chines merchants wero nor a contest between Labour and Capital | the lowest rate of pay of the grade infendant denied that he had previous decidedly against the strike and that a conviction for stealing a bicycle and small proportion only of the Chinese which they were formerly employed.
remanded until this morning.. over-uy grievance.
Since the anticipated 'action of the Simon's Enion would entail andther -strike-unless one side gave way and in the full belief that the conjans has no intration, to take back any employer except on the lowest rate of pay in the grade to which he belong, a Daily Preg represputative called upon Light. Conde. <i. F. fiole, R... the Harbour Master, and, after explaining the position to him, asked for a statement ou what action the department would take in the event of the Seamen's Union translating their threats into action.**
follows:
+1
Being political, the main idea, from the Canton point of view, was a boycott
BET FEW QLD HANDS. Continuing rut.Commander Hole
Mid:-
.
The two houseboys in he employ of Mr. A. P. Glover, No. 4, Broadwood Rand, and Mr. A. Kirk, P.W.D., respec tively, who were charged with having intimidated a motor-bus inspector at Shamihaipo on July 17th, appeared on remand before Mr. W. Hamiltoy at Up to the present, I have encounter-the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday. little difficulty in recruiting for the Government Innnches. At a rough esti. mate, between 70 and 80 per cent. of those engaged sju the strike started are new
men.
Everyone of the strikers re-engaged by this department returned on a re-
backed up by a strike. That being duced salary and all appear very hunk trade simply disappeared with a sinmyful to have been taken back under any That did away with the effect of the conditions. strike, as there was very little cargo Janving at the time. In consequences the
· Colony- felt this effect of the strike less than it would have done in ordinary
times
With regard to the alleged threat of the Seamen's Union, it must be borne in mind that His Exceliency the Cover nor has publicly announced his intention to see the thing through; and the temper of all the officials and of the members of the general public is absolutely in sup- port of the Clofernor, and all are pre pared to see the matter through.
SERVANTS WAGES. LR.A. RESCIND THEIR FORMER RESOLUTION.
RETURNED STRIKERS.
The firinness shown by the authorities
in dealing with enturning strikers, with regard to the payment of reduced rates! of wages to them, has resulted in many! During the strike, I kept three of the returned strikers feeling rather sory about it.Especially so has this been. Harbour Department launches, oue Post the case in such places of craployment a Office and one Sanitary Board lause at the Kowloon Dock and the Naval Yard. the object of retaliation of some sort, but work. They were manned by mixed Strikers meetings have taken place with crews. who one and all did excellent these have not come to anything, because work. In the event of another walk-out, | there has been no enthusiasm or unity
un prepared to do the same again and among these holding the meetings. carry on ad finitum, until the Chinese concerned come to their senses."
SANITARY COOLIES.
A runour gained currency in the Colony "There may be a little trouble when Inat night that a number of returned the members of the Brathen's Union Sanitary coolies had rejoined the ranks turn to the Colony, but the Police will able to heal with the doubtless,, be agitators."
the Government.
warkers were ja.favour of it, the majority having been terrorised into leaving their "mployment,
Mr. Ho in seconded and the resolution: was carried unanimously.
Of the departures two only were) British, the Takdira for Amoy and Zai Sang for Singapore. The Kiong Lee. a There were 07 vessels in the barbour yes Chinese cargo boat, departed, for Canton.
terday and of, these 38 were British.
GENERAL NOTES.
A number of Chinese continue to come into the Colony from Western River ports f and Macao, the incoming steamers being met on arrival by the police, who are characters, Several fncoming Chinese of the strikers, together with some new have been taken into custody for enquiries keeping a sharp look out for undesirable hands. The reason for this action, it was
the Colony, suggested, was that the macs were disto be made regarding their presence in satisfied with the rates of pay. ..When # Daily Prens representativo made enquiries on this subject late last It is further resolved that this Com-night from Mr. N. L. Smith, President mitten recommends the general body of of the Sanitary Board, he was informed the Association to refrain from paying that, so far as Mr. Smith was aware, any June wages to those strikers who there was no foundation for the rumour
.. SHIPPING. went out before the 1st July, and also to] refrain from paying any wages to ser
At a meeting of the Committee of thevants in excess of the wages before the Kowloon Residents' Association held on strike,
.
Further progress in the programme of the partini demobilisation of the Hong kong Volunteer Defence Corps took place, last evening at Headquarters, when in addition to those, already announce he having been demobilised, a certain num- ber of men from the Armoured Car Section and all the Engineer Company, with the exception of the wireless section who are being retained for special pär-
For the 24 hours ended at 9 am yes terday, there were eleven arrivals and "Further, that copies of this resolusix departures. Of the arrivals five were Tuesday evening a resolution was passed Ition be sent to the local newspapers for British, the Kurusley Hall, Mertoo Hall Posen, were demobilised.
favour of publication."
RECKLESS MOTORIST. TRAVELSAT OVER 45 MILES PER HOUR.
Patroclus, Nanchang, and Chekiang. The
The barriers, that were erected at the Alaf no wages for June should be paid
Knovaley Hell landed 150 tons of general entrance to the Star Ferry wharves on cargo, the ferton Hall; 300 tons and the the Hongkong and Kowloon sides at the lo servants who went on trike. This.
l'atroculus 3 bags of mails from Woo commencement of the strike, have now rescinds the former rosolation and brings
sung The st. Nanchang from Swatow was been removed, as have the special con- the policy of the K.R.A. into line with
manned by naval ratings from HM.S. stables on duty there. The restrictions: Bluebell. The Chckinng from Swatow that adopted by the Feal tesidents and
continued. Mid-Level Residents' Associations. The
At the Kowloon Magistracy yester had a crew of six Europeans and on Chiucse passengers have also been dis insolution was worded as follows:--
dag, before Mr. E. W. Hamilton, Chinese, The Dutch steamer, Yikarang
News that reached Hongkong yester- "That in view of the unexpected pro- Chinese motor driver of the Chung Meilanded 10 tons of general cargo, 4,200 tona longation of the Strike and because of Garage was charged with reckless driv. of sugar and a large quantity of paraffia day was to the affect that special efforts as well as bags of mails from Shang- are now being made by the Chinese across the apparent necessity of instilling into ing
Inspector Kerrison, Sanitary Depart, tha Those up long, a Chinese vessel, the border of the New Territories to the minds of the Chinese workers of this Colony the fact that it must inevitably stated that he saw defendant driving arrived" from "Canton and. 100 tons of prevent strikers who desire-to-return-to- scheme, the troops on the Chinese terri be to their detriment to go out on strike, car at 45 to 50 miles an hour along Lai general cargo. She was manned by one Hongkong from doing so. To assist: this this meeting of the Committee of the Chi Kok Road. Before, he could give a Europeans and 74 Chinese.
The Chinese Daval" storeship Kinng tory hare erected a barrier on the other Kowloon Residents' Association hereby order to his coolios the car had gone out rescinds the resolution passed at its meet of sight. He later saw defendant run- ping has again passed through, on side of Shum Chun bridge: ing held on July 3rd in which a general ning towards him chased by a fireman, her way to Pratas. Shoal carrying a fur commendation was made to members The car had tumbled over and the ther, 350 tons of building material for the for the payment of wages earned during Chinese passenger in It had been slightly | wireless station that the Chinese Mari
time Customs are erecting there.. June according to the number of days injured.
(Continued on nezi Column), Defendant was fined $20. worked
A Chinese, who was alleged to have seditious pamphlets in his possession, was arrested at Wanebni on Tuesday, and withe dealt with in due course."
GREAT
SHOE SALE.
LANE CRAWFORD'S offer the Whole of their Stock of
LADIES' SHOES including all this Season's Models at BARGAIN PRICES to Clear.
WHITE CANVAS SHOES
BUCK
KID
EVENING SHOES.
BLACK-
WALKING SHOES
* BLACK and BROWN BROGUES ...
"
ODD
From $5.60 Pair.
7.50
7.50
#
1.00
3.50
3.50
1.00
FOR 3 DAYS ONLY,
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, JULY 30th 31st," and AUGUST 1st.
SIZES 2 TO 8 INCLUSIVE.
FITTINGS
A. B. C. D.
THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RANGE IN THE COLONY.
LANE, CRAWFORD'S
PEDDER STREET.
Are You Hot?
Then Buy A
·LADIES' SALON.
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC FAN
and keep Cool,
WING ON CO., LTD.
BROADWOOD PIANOFORTES
Sole Agents:
Approved by Gents for 200 years
ANDERSON'S.
[60
-Powell-
TELEPHONE. 3146
LAST
OF
DAYS
Sale
20% Discount
Note
Ends on Saturday, Aug. 1st.
[26