ILLEGAL TAXES IN CANTON.
BALES OF HAM.
DISPUTE OVER CONTRACT""
A. BRITISH MERCHANT'S
COMPLAINT:
RUINATION OF TRADE FEARED.
1
ATTITUDE OF H.B.M. CONSUL
CRITICISED.
We have received from a British merchant in Canton the following complaint against the number of Illegal taxed which are now being imposed on trade:-
་
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONG KONG
DAILY PRESÌ."]
|
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JULY 14th, 1928.
ROUND THE POLICE| A BULLYING
STUDENT.
COURTS.
WHEN TIMES WERE TOO BAD KENNEDY TOWN HIGHWAY FIGHTS LAD WHO WON'T
TO QUARREL
A UNIVERSAL BUSINESS POLICY."
"The universal business policy adopted by merchants,” quid ale. F. H. Losoby at the Summary Court yesterday afternoon before . Justice P. Jacks," is always to settle & breach of contract amicably and not to resort to Court proceed Lagi. Une might be in the right this time and be in the wrong the next time," he added.
This little exposition was given in connection with a case in which Wong Foo claimed 6504.33 as as- signee of the book.debts of the Yue ung Yuen firm, of No. 82, Con- naught Road West, for goods sold and delivered to the Tak Chan Arm,
defendants.
defendants filed
Mr. F. E. Nash was for the plaintiffs and Mr. F. H. Loseby appeared for the defendants.
against the amount claimed, the against the plaintiffs arm tor a counter-claim
$119.15 being damages caused by the fue Fung Yuen arm's failure to deliver ve bales "of hum under
ROBBERY.
ACCUSED WHO KNEW TOO
MUCH.
LET HIM CRIB,
E
MAGISTRATE'S STERN WARNING.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST CHINESE.
ALLEGATIONS OF 13-YEAR OLD SERVANT GIRL
PRISONER REFUSED SEAT IN DOCK.
Chiu Chow Yui, a young Chinese employed by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Co., appeared before Mr. R. E. Lindsell at the Central Magis tracy yesterday on serious charges with regard to a 13-year old Chinese girl employed at his residence as a servant giri.
Two Chinese students of the Peninsula School appeared before Mr. W. Schofield at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday. One of them was the bully of the school and the other the industrious but physical ly weak boy. Their appearance be fare the magistrate was brought about by the industrious lad retariat for Chinese Affairs, prosecut- fusing to allow the bully to copy ed, while Mr. Leo d'Almada, jr., from his examination paper. The instructed by Mr. Leo d'Almada, sar., appeared on behalf of the de fendant.
Mr. E. H. Williams, of the Secre
The Kennedy Town highway rou bery case in which. Po Ming a returned Chinese emigrant from Sumatra, was the victim, was again before Mr. R. E. Lindsell at the Central Magistracy yesterday when the two sccused were convicted.
Four men were concerned in the held up of the emigrant on the Kennedy Town Prayn, and the two defendants were arrested inside, a grocery shop in Belchers Streetly sought vengeance and after where they had hidden themselves.
several fights, he succeeded in stab- bing the other boy, who had to be taken to hospital for treatment.missal of the more serious allega. The prosecution applied for dis- The trouble broke out on July 5th tion but continued with the other. when the school was holding its half-yearly' examination.
Owing to the complainant having to leave the Colony as was in- dicated at the last hearing, the do fendants were dealt with summarily | en a charge of theft of 8100 and a gold ring from the emigrant.
Mr. d'Almada asked if his client could be seated because of the intenso heat and weak condition of the defendant
SIR.-The account of the outrage on Mr. Lillierap in your issue of the 10th inst. is certainly very interesting reading, especially to those who are suffering severely from "the illegal taxes which are being exacted both in Canton City and on the British Concession of Shameen. That the Chinese should be so ruthlessly robbed is bad enough, but when this robbery is permitted to extend to Shameen the situation becomes intolerable since it is bringing ruination to many. Three illegal taxes are being im posed by men who have paid sums of money to the Canton Government | Dean delivered, the amount of which into which the men ran after the in mathematics. Defendant again Civil Hospital, who had examined
contract entered into by them. A bale of ham" consists of a packet of about 30 hams packed up to- gother and swathed in backing. The Yue Fung Yuen firm WILS alleged to have agreed to deliver
to los détendants 10 bales of ham
at 861 per picui. Five unies had
for the privilege of forming mono-formed the subject of the claim.
polies. These" men are bent on getting as much out of these mono- polies as possible, and in so doing they are working under the cloak
The remaining nve bales were not delivered owing to the failure of the Yue Fung Yuen arm. Damages stained by the defendants, the Tak Chan firm, were given
Tollow:-
الله
The market price on Sept. ember 4th (the date of the 1ailure of the Yue rung Xúcu fim) was 885 per Aud Commission of 2 cents
picul, making a total 62...81,227.64
per $1
Aud perquisites
24.50
39
81,232.36
of the Canton Government. Repre- sentations made to H.B.M. Acting Consul General against the Imposi tion of these illegal taxes are met with the surprising rejoinder that the taxes must be paid. When he is asked why-in view of the fact that he admits they are all illegal tazes-be replies that he does not wish to take any measures which The contractel prace" of 831 may upset the friendly feeling now Add Commission of 2 cents
per picul would be......
existing between the British and per $1. the Canton Governments. Surely a Add perquisites friendship based on such, ground and bolstered up by something very like false pretence, cannot endure "The damages sustained by the de and in the meantime British Tradefendants were therefore #448.13 and to set-off against the plaintiffs' is suffering.
claim, defendants had paid into court the sum of 8030.28.
At the present time with these illegal taxes one feels that it is a case of let them all come" and
The first defendant supplied fur ther information regarding the un- known maa, Chan who, according to his version, tried to borrow
money from the emigrant.
Evidence wa5 also given by fobia of the Sam Hop Hing shor
robbery.
Was
not
The injured lad, Leung Lai Lin. aged 14, said that on the day in question he was struck by the de- fendant during recess. The defen- dant was incensed because he did
not allow him to see his examina- tion paper. They were separated by other students and when inside the class-room, they were examined asked to be allowed to copy, but was refused.
First defendant declared he was A thief at all. He explained that there was a fight when the first opportunity came, The balls bided his time and
between four men and the com- struck the complainant. In the plainant owing to the latter's re-fight they both fell to the ground fusal to lead money to a man sur- and struggled there. When pulled named Chan, who eventually up by other students, complainant snatched the notes away.
found that he was bleeding from Mr. Lindsell: It is curious you should know all about that. "Defendant: I was one of the four men who fought.
Why did you fight 1-Because the 788,97 man named Chan engaged me to
fight.
15:
39
@ 504.43
He had
A Bully And A Brute His Worship remarked that the defendant was a nice character. On that admission alone he deserved to go to gaol, and he was nothing
more than a bully and a brute who would take on a job to beat any. body up.
The second defendant denied at knowledge of the robbery and said that he ran into the shop where he saw his friend go. Then the police arrived and arrested him also. And quite right, too," mid the
Plaintiff's Zvidence. Evidence was then taken from the managing partner of the défend- the "more the merrier." Truly the ants firm in respect to the counter attitude adopted by the official claim. He said that his firm bad British representatives is astound- firm for many years.
dealings with tho Yue Fung Yuen ing. The illegal taxes at present instructed his purchasing foki to being exacted are:-
ask for delivery of the remaining Magistrate. No. 1-A 20 per
cent. so-called five bales of ham. "The foki return- Belief Tax (covering Yuen was unable to give delivery, ed and said that the Yue Fung multitude of sins) is being He waited for over two months and defendants.
in the meantime the market for
added to the Customs duty
of about 5 per cent. and to
the surtay of 21 per cent. and 6 per cent, on luxuries, as laid down by the Wash-
Conference ington
and
which is being collected by the Burtax Bureau. "No. The Wine Tax Bureau are charging Mex. cts, 20 per bottle of wine and spirits and Mox ets. 5 per pint battle of beer plus 20 per eest. for the so-called relief
tax,
Sentence of twelve months' hard labour was
the two passed on
•
that it was an ordinary summons The Magistrate refused, and said
and that the defendant was facing a serious charge.
4
The Doctor's Evidence, Dr. Thomas, of the Government
the girl, said that he had found zo
bruises. His examination was in-
conclusive in its result, neither sub- stantiating hor refuting, the allega. tions
A
Persistent Approaches.
Au Ypen, Wun, the 13-year old Chinese girl, said that she worked at the defendant's fat at Kwong
had died when she was young and Wing Street, Mongkok. Her parents
after living with her cousins she started work as a servant girl, She was engaged by the amah at de fendant's home at a wage of $3' per month. The defendant lived in the flat with four other mess-mates who slept in cubicles. She slept in the front room. On the very first
the chest and defendant was hold ing a penknife in his hand. He was then taken to hospital.
After medical evidence had been given by Dr. Newton, defendant told his story: He said that he did not stab his school-mate. They were fighting and the complainant picked up his (defendant's) pen- knife, opened it and wanted to stab him. Defendant struggled night of her employ she was sudden- and in the struggle complainantly awakened by the defendant.. must have stabbed himself,
When he saw that she was awake
His Worship disbelieved the be retired. She did not shout at story of the bully and fined him the time as the defendant's mess 890 and ordered him to pay $5 cam-mates worked on night shifts at the pensation to the complainant. De Telegraph Company and were not fendant was also ordered to sign to be disturbed. The defendant re- a personal bond of 850 to be of peated his visits the following night, good behaviour for six months. and again the third night. On each occasion she awakened and the de- fendant left her alone.
His Worship advised the defen- dant to avoid playing with pea- knives in future. He said that about six months ago a school boy lost his life and his companion was charged with manslaughter as a
ham was steadily going up. Even then he did not think it would be BURGLAR CAUGHT WITH THE result of playing with knives. De
wise to threaten the Yue Fung Yuen firm with court proceedings, he found out that the firm had been but he was compelled to do so when
sold to others.
SPOILS.
A small boy's unexpected return to the first floor of No. 31, Po Kwong Street, Kowloon City, Or Thursday morning proved the un- doing of a burglar who had taken advantage of the absence of the in
fendant was lucky this time, and he had better take the lesson to heart.
DURO GARAGE'S LOSS.
Alleged to be a shroff who absconded with a sum of $1,740.99
Times To Bait For Quarrels. When asked by his Lordship whether it was the policy of Chinese businesstien to allow such breach of contract to continue without taking any steps such as writing the other mates of the subicles to collect their collected on behalf of the Duro No. 3.-The Kwangtung. Canton party a letter urging for delivery valuables. On noticing the lock of Motor Garage, Nathan Road, two
and Konam Wine
or to intimate that in the event Cigarette Stamp Tax Bureau of non-delivery action would be the main door broken, the boy peep-years ago, a Chinese was brought are collecting taxes amount taken. Witness said that in those ed into the fat and saw two men before Mr. W. Bhodeld at the
days business VLA bad and to over 50 per cent. on
inside. He lost no time in raising Kowloon Magistracy. afford to wines and cigarettes.-Y.B merchants could not
quarrel with each other. He fur
a hue and cry which sent the men
known to them.
agu
The next day abe reported the matter to her cousin in Hong Kong who arranged for her to come to Hong Kong to sleep. She continued going to her cousin's home for about three weeks.
A dinner party was held about the third week and the amab sug- gested that the witness should stay and help as there was a lot of work to be dong. The visitors left at about 10 p.m., and she slept on her camp bed, as usual, in the front room. The defendant's cubicle was
next to the front room, and the amah slept under the staircase in another zoom.
At about 11 o'clock the witness Inspector Fallon, in asking for awoke to End that her hands had a remand, informed his Worship" been hound with a cord, and the that after the examination of cor- defendant was fixing a gag with a tain documents connected with the handkerchief over her mouth. Com matter there was the possibility of plainant then gave evidence of a the amount involved being increas Acrious nature against defendant. These facts were given when the led to 82,600: The defendant, con-
The next day she went to her defendant appeared before Mr. W.inued the Inspector, disappeared cousin in Hong Kong and told her Schofield at the Kowloon Magis one month before the issue of a
what had happened. They went to
was sent tracy charged with the theft of warrant on December 11th, 1925, the Police Station and she was s jewellery worth over 8100. The de-and he was not seen again until to the Government Civil Hospital fendant admitted taking part in Thursday when he was pointed out
where she was detained for the the burglary and was sentenced to to the police and arrested in Water night. The next day she was sent to the Girls' Home, She had re- Street, West Point.
Defendant was remanded for one cognised the defendant by the light | through one of the small windows.
in, the room
Compensation Asked for! Mr. Amade: Did you or your cousin tell the Inspector at the Police Station that if you were A Chinese, 21 years of age degree to let the matter drop 1="I given a compensation you would Boribed as a cock, was charged at did not, but if my cousin did so, the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday I did not hear her."
The Magistrate then asked Detec
-They make their own valuations which are very extensive dealing with the Yae
ther explained that his firm had senispering down the staircase, grossly exaggerated, cape Fang Yuca and that certain sums
One of the thieves was caught with cially when brands are not of money belonging to the plaintiffs the stolen property on him by the Very unfortunately H.B.M. Act when the time care for a settlement other escaped.
were in their keeping. He thought fokis on the ground floor, but the ing Consul-General bas unofficially he would mention the matter and settle the dispute amienbly. He acquiesced in the payment of these remarked tha; when a person want illegal taxes, and as a consequence ed money, he would then be in a I am afraid that many more illegal mezt amiable mood and would con- impositions will be introduced sent to anything.
In answer to the Bench as to why Had he adopted a firm'attitude no steps had been taken to press for - at the beginning when these illegal delivery, Mr. Loseby said that what taxes were mooted they would not his client had told the Court was "universal" policy and a very have been enacted, and such a dis-wise one. He thought that mer graceful incident the
1.5 one in chants got on better if they settled which Mr. Lillicrap was involved by question of a breach of con- as his client held money belonging tract amicably. "He also said that to the Yue Fung Tuen firm, it was only natural that he should try to engaged by an unknown man to effect a settlement without coming bring opium into the Colony wa to court. It was also atitral that tendered by a Chinese passenger when person was asking for money he would be in an amiable from the Chan On when he was mood and would then consent to charged before Mr. R. E. Lindsell
would not have occurred. As con- ditions now are many such further incidents are probable.
it
One cannot believe that H.B.M. Acting Consul-General has received instructions, either from Downing Btrect or Peking, to recognise or anything.
four months' bard labour..
90,000 OPIUM FINE.
The usual excuse that he was
week on bail of 83,000.
ALLEGED HARBOURING OF UNMARRIED GIRLS.
ཛྙྰ་ན
under which his nationals are being Fung Tuen firm, said that there possession of 30 taels of illicit girls under the age of 21. He was had asked for compensation. Sergt. acquiesce in these illegal taxes Mr. F. E. Nash, for the Yue at the Central Magistracy with with harbouring two unmarried tire-Sergeant. Whelan if the girl
robbed in a barefaced manner and trade is being ruined."
must be a limit to a breach of con- | drug. tract. A time limit must be stated,
alleged to have enticed the two Defendant was fined 86,000, or girls away from their homes be he added, and to allow a person to six months hard labour. go on committing a breach of con-
tween July 7th and 10th without Thanking you for space, for the tract was tantamount to acting a
the consent of their lawful guar- dians. above and enclosing my card collusion with him.
After further argument the case. Yours, etc.,
The case was then adjourned until Friday
FLABBERGASTED.
next.
Another man who was found to carry 10 taels of Wuchow opium was fined 875, or three months
(Continued on next (olumn).
was adjourned · July
Whorlan feplied that the girl's cousin did say that if compensation was paid to her she would let the matter drop. No Axed amount was asked for. But the police refused to let the matter drop, and the case was taken up by the B.O.A. Office.
The hearing was then adjourned till next Wednesday at z p.m.
"5
Wm. POWELL, Ltd.
Telephone C. 4578.
ANNOUNCE
that the
LAST DAY OF
SALE
in their TAILORING and OUTFITTİNG
DEPARTMENTS
TO-DAY
In other departments the Sale will continue with still Bigger Reductions,
BILLY BENNETT
TWO
GREAT
MILTON HAYES
HUMORISTS Columbia New RECORDS
Process
4005
Į FAMILY SECRETS
DEVIL HAY NOT CARE... (NELL
H
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106
BILLY HEITT
Da.
4004 THE GREEN TIE ON THE
LITTLE YELLOW DOG..
Do.
4634 IS CHINA WORTH GOING TO...MILTON HAYRA
LIE CHINA WORTH LEAVING?... (MONTY DISCUSSES THE EM
PIRE SPIRIT
.3834.
..
THE STORY. OF ME. PADDLE
WICK..."
De.
Do
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DJ.
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