L
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1936.
SCHEME FOR REDUCTION
COLONY HAWKERS
OF SERVICES
MINIMUM OF HARDSHIP TO BE INFLICTED
Importance Of Public Health Stressed
1
The suggested general policy to be adopted by the Urban Council, regarding the reduction of hawkers' licences in the Colony, paying special attention to the sellers of cooked food, was out- lined by the Chairman, M., R. R. Todd, at the Connell meeting held yesterday afternoon. Mr. Todd said that he was not suggesting an aggressive policy involving the wholesale cancellation of existing licences but merely a gentle "policy of refusing to grant licences to new applicants.
opened until the supply equalled the demand,
Mr. Todd explained that pre- vious to May, 1934, the licensing. of hawkers had been in the hands of the Inspector General of Police and us the licensing of year for hawkers commences or October 1. the great majority of the licences for the year 1935-38 had already been issued by the Police Depart-disposed people look upon the ob- ment. This fortunately gave the Urban Council time to get licensing organisation into work- ing order without having to cope with the rush of some iteen or sixteen thousand hawkers trying to renew their licences.
Its
Air. Todd continued:- Since the Sanitary Board had definite reasons for requesting that the Licensing of hawkers be trans- ferred to it in its capacity as the sole" Licensing Authority for. the sule of food it is, I think, incum- bent on the Urban Council to formulate, at the beginning of the new licensing year, some polley to be followed in respect of hawkers Jo general and more particularly in respect of hawkers of food, s
In this connection. I would point out that the primary object of licensing hawkers is not to "raise revenue-lthough the revenue derived from this source is not in- considerable--but- to provide 2 meras of controlling them, not only as regards numbers but as to what goods they shall sell, and how, when and where they shall sell these goods.
would also point out that no person has a 1ight to a hawker's licence merely by demanding one and paying the necessary fee. It is clearly laid down in the By-laws to the "Haw ker'a Ordinance that the Council may in its absolute discretion re- fuse to`grant or renew any licence If such refusal is, in the opinion of the Council, expedient in the public interest.
TREMENDOUS SCALE Hawking is a profession which is followed on a tremendous scale in this Colony-as the figures which I shall give later will show so that at this juncture it is përhaps right and proper that I should sum up what might be call- ed the arguments for and the arguments against the hawker system.
In the first place hawkers may be said to be a convenience to the general public. They undoubtedly meet the needs of outlying dis tricts which Bre inadequately served with shops and with means of rapid communication with the urban area. But the vast majority of them are to be found plying their trade in the more crowded urban areas. I do not seek to deny that it is more convenient to have foodstuffs and other goods brought to one's door, even if one does live in an urban area, but I do`maintain that this convenience is not suficient, in the face of the objections which I will state in a few moments. to justify the reten tion of the hawker system on the présent vast scale. It has fre-
quently been advanced that it is a great boon to rickshaw, chaín and cargo coolies to have their food brought to them by hawkers
but in most cases the places where
these coolies work are not far re- moved from a licensed eating- house or from their living quar- ters:
CHEAP LABOUR.' Secondly, it is argued that hawkers help to preserve the low cost of living for the poorer classes and so help to maintain that am-
tion and storage of food in re- staurants and eating-houses are Thirdly, It is sometimes said fairly strict: it is obviously logi- that the Hawker system is a parti- cal to impose restrictions on these al substitute for Poor Law Rellet. establishments and at the same I know only too well from depart- time allow food hawkers to carry mental experience that many on as they have done in the past. charitable organisations and well-maintain that it would be futile to make elaborate by-laws govern- ing the conditions of preparation, storage and exposure of food by hawkers. This class of people of- ten has no permanent residential address and itinerant hawkers are constantly moving from place to place in the course of their business. We have not, and I see no prospect of obtaining. suffi- cient staff to supervise properly several thousands of hawkers, To my mind the only solution, is gradually to eliminate the food hawker altogether or so to restrict the foodstuffs he sells as to remove all danger to public health...
taining of a hawker's licence for individuals who apply to them for rellef as the beginning and end of their charitable efforts, regardless of whether the recipients are physleally fit or otherwise suitable for such an occupation. For in- stance. widows with large families of young children, should be dis- couraged from going on the streets as hawkerst can only mean one thing. that the children will be neglected.
1
ARGUMENTS AGAINST The main arguments agains hawkers are as follows:-
They cause obstruction to traf- {"DC,
MINIMUM OF HANDSHIP
The next problem we have to
consider is how these ends can be attained without causing
more
Some of our streets are si- most impassable on account of their being lined on one or both sides by hawker stalls, and I
than the minimum of hardship to would quote Stanley Street as a
the hawkers who are at present glaring example. The entrances
licensed. Bearing this in mind I to side streets are, of course the
am not suggesting an aggressive best sites from the stall-holder's.
the wholesale policy involving point of view and here the stalls
cancellation of exlating Licences cause the maximum obstruction,
but merely a gentle policy of re- Itinerant hawkers are also a nuis-,
fusing to grant ficences to new ance to the pedestrian on the side-applicants. Every year there is a walks: although itinerant they cannot always be on the move and they tend to con- gregate in groups at the entrances to side-streets. in the vicinity of steamer wharves, rickshaw stands and so on.
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described
15
Secondly, stalls are more or less permanent obstruction to scaven- ging. besides being generally un- sightly and untidy. Most of their refuse" finds its way on to the pub- lle thoroughfare account of their lack of sanitary appliances
drainage, As and
to Itinerant hawkers their litter is simply dumped on the spot where they happen to be at the moment.
UNFAIR COMPETITION
moderate percentage of Don- renewals of existing licences on account of the death. departure from the Colony, cr change of oc- cupation of icensees and we can await the result of this experiment for one year before considering whether any more drastic method of reducing the numbers is neces- sary.
OFFICERS
ARRIVE
Troopship Here "From Home
H. M. Troopship Lancashire ar- rived in Hong Kong yesterday morning and berthed at the North Arm of the Naval Dockyard.
The Lancashire sailed from Southampton for the Far East on September 9 and carried an advance party for Palestine.
Several naval and military ofi- cers disembarked from the troop- ship yesterday.
The naval officers are ordered to the following ships and are re- lieving officers who will be trans- ferred:
For "Lowestoft."--Commander &. Boucher: Commissioned Engineer C. W. Treweeks.
For "Tamar."--Captain Carless, R. M. Lt.-Comdr. W. H. Graves: Lt-Comdr. E. C. Turner: Lieut. Comdr. E. L. Woodhall,
For "Duchess."--Lt.-Comdi. W. Curtis: Sub-Meut. J. Hooker.
"For "Decoy."--L& J. F.' Cochrane; Lent. J. Tennyson; Gunner R. L. Jackson.
For "Medway."-Lt. W. Donald Lieut.-Comdr. W. Hall: IL B Smith: Warrant Electrician E Smith; Lt. Massey-Dawson.
For "Berwick."-Midshipmen H Falkner, J. Haly, W. Nainprice, A. Tyers.
For "Defender."-Lieut. D. Gar- diner: Lieut Stewart-Menteth: Gunner (T) G. Powell.
For "Dainty."--LL A. Johnson; Lieut. T. Taylor.
For "Moth."-Lieut.-Comdr. D." Lampen.
For "Diana.”—Lieut. Comar. J. Machin; Lieut. (E) A. Oliver; Bub- Lleut T. Pooley; Lieut. R. Sand- bách; Gunner (T) L Tete; Lieut Northey.
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For "Folkestone."-Lt. B. Mellor. For "Mantis."-Lleut-Comdr. E.
URBAN COUNCIL
Two Applications Refused
At the Urban Council meeting yesterday afternoon. the Chair- man (Mr. Todd) announced that a Select Committee, comprising Dr. G. W."Pope. Mr. W. N. Thomas Tam and the Chairman had been appointed to deal with matters arising in connection with cudi- cles.
W
Applications for 8 bakehouse Licence for Nos. 2 and 4. Bulke.cy Street, ground floor, and for 藠 goat licence for the shed outside the main gate of the Asiatic Petroleum Company Ltd., "Tal Tsui, were refused.
Present at the meeting were:- The Chairman, Hon. Dr. A. R. Wellington (Vice-Chairman), Hon. Mr. A. G. W, Tickle (Director of Public Works), Hon. Mr. W. J Carrie (Secretary for Chinese Affairs), Mr. F. C. Hall, Dr. R. A de Castro Basto. Dr. Li Shu Fan, Mr. A. el Arculi. Dr. S. N. Chau, Mr. B. Wong Tape, Mr. C. Champ kin, Secretary (Mr. C. J. Ros), Asst. Secretary (Mr. Im Ping- tseung).
Licences granted by the Urban Counci between 29.9.56 and 12.10.30 are as follows:-
Milk Shops, 1, Food Factories 3, Food Preserving Establishments 1. Food Shops 1, Swine Licences 1, Eating Housea 3.
DONATIONS
donations are
The following acknowledged:-
HE Benevolent Society: "In memory of the late C. A. da Roza," Mr. and Mrs. M. J. B Montargis $10;
St. Vincent de Paul Society: "In memory of C. A. da Roza,” Mr. and Mrs, M. J. B. Montargis $10.
WEDDINGS
The forthcoming, weddings are announced between Marius Rex-
Riep.
For "Herald."--Paymaster Lieut.-gayst, of Messrs, W. R. Loxley & Comdr. Rump.
Co., Canton and Aasta Larssen, of No. 7 Peak Mansions; Joseph
For "Kent."-Lt,-Odn. A Ryder." For "Grimsby.lent.-Comdr. J. Veiga, 19, reporter, of No. 151 Seymour; Sub-Lieut. Tupper.
and Wong. Nel Cheong Road, "Bandwich."--Lieut. Love-Emilia Remedios, 16, of No. 137 day; Lieut. Barnes.
Wong Nel Cheong Road.
For
For "Bee." Sub-Lieut. Brayne- Nicholas.
For "Sandpiper."-Lieut. Comdr. Earnes
For "Gannet.”—Lt. Tibbets For "Aphis."-Lt. Wheadon
ARMY ARRIVALS
The following were the military arrivals:-
Royal Artillery.-Captain A. F. N. Godfrey and Mrs. Godfrey, Cap tain M. Yates and Mrs. Yates
8th Heavy Brigade, R.A-3rd. Master Gur. H. C. Hale, Mrs. Halé and two children
Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RA B.S.M. H. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor and three children.
#
Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES
The following are the forthcom ing activities of the European Y.M.C.A.:
Prize winners at Mah Jongg Bfternoon held on the 12th inst.:-- 1st prize Mrs Blakey-Booby prize Mrs. Armour.
YMCA. Discussion Group, Sun-
My Neighbour" Speaker Rev. E. W Baines, second talk in series at 9 p.m., in Wesò Lounge. «
Y.M.C.A. Whist Drive Monday, 16th October, 9 p.m., in West Lounge.
YMCA: First Ladies' Night · of the season arranged by the social Royal Engineers.-Lieut. A. C. | Committee, Thursday, 22nd Octo-
UNLICENSED HAWKERS One last word on the subject of unlicensed hawkers.
Like the poor, the unlicensed hawker has always been with us and is even more numerous than usual at the present time. This increase generally ascribed to the prevail-ad/Lieut. W. D. Symons, 2nd-day, 18th October, subject "God is ing trade and industrial depression. Lieut. G. P. H. Moffat-Wilson. Thirdly, there is the unfair one obvious criticism of the policy competition with shopowners who which I am asking you to adopt is have to pay rents, rate and taxes. that it will drive more people to This aspect of the 'hawker problem resort to unlicensed hawking. Per- is not as a rule sufficiently stress-haps it will, to a certain extent, ed. A stallholder pays $24 a year but if the present prevalence of hawker pays $4. for his licence and an itinerant unlicensed hawking has beeri There the haw-correctly ascribed to the depression ker's over-head charges end. He there should be less and less of does his business on the pubile it as the depression Ifits. " thoroughfares and pays no rent, he occupies no premises which are assessed for rates, he pays no water charges. I could quote. in. stance where a cooked food stall is situated right in front of the main entrance to a licensed eating house and I have received numer- pus petitions from market stall- holders complaining of the 1111-" fair competition which they are suffering from the swarms of haw- vegetables in the
kers who sell
vicinity of markets.
Lastly, there is the menace to public health in the case of haw- kers of food. This is not so seri- ous where fruit or vegetables are though by no means always, sold fruit is generally,
sold because
a
The unlicensed hawker is com- mitting an illegal act and is al-. ways liable to arrest and prosecu- tion. I consider that the majority of unlicensed hawkers hawk rather as a temporary expedient than as
regular profession and
that knowing their Insecure position in the eyes of the law they are only too anxious to revert to other oc- cupations when opportunity offers. But in any case I am not pessimistic as to believe that my staff and the Police will never be able to cope with the problem of the inlicensed hawker. If we have some definite policy we can travel hopefully, along the path of pro- the ultimate destination may be gress and although our arrival at
4
BO
I therefore move (a) that this Council resolves that it is expedient in the public interest to grant no Stallholder Hawker licences to new applicants during the licensing year commencing on October 1st 1938 and ending September 30th 1937.
whole and in the skin, and be-long delayed we shall at least ae- cause vegetables are cooked before complish something while we are being eaten. But as regards other on the way. kinds of food there is a menace to public health because we do not know where and under what con- ditions: the food is prepared, we do not know where the food la stored at night—probably under a ple supply of cheap labour on bed in a cubicle or bedspace-and which the prosperity of Hong because there is usually no protec- Kong is said to depend. This tion from the dust and files of the argument sounds very plausible streets. but investigations have shown that as a general rule food is no cheaper at a hawker's stall than in a lower class eating-house.
†
(b) that this Connell resolves, in the interest of public health and with a view to improving the con- trol and supervision of hawkers What policy, then, should, the who sell articles of food, that no Urban Council adopt? I suggest | Itinerant Hawker licences for the
GENERAL POLICY
Houghton and 2nd/Lieut. G. J. G. ber.
Douglas,
Royal Army Ordnance - Corps.— Captain D. M. Larinour.
AD.C.-Captain R. H. Green. Army Audit Staff Mr. (Lient.) J. W. J. Whiteside.
*
RAILWAY POSTER
We have received a copy of the Queen Alexandra School Mis- Intent poster issued by the Kow- tress.--Mrs.
Fabel and three loon Canton Rallway, which de- children.
picise train about to enter # Royal Army Fay Corps.-8.Q.M.B.tunnel with a vista of how lyinz H. C. Hansen and Mrs. Hanzen,hills in the background. The pos- 8.Q.MS. J. E. Pittham and Cpl. ter is the splendid work of Mr. 8. G. M. Devonish,
D Panajotaky."Of a striking de- sign. the poster a printed in four colours.
East Lancashire Regiment-Five other ranka.
Royal Army Bervice Corps.---One sergeant, one corporal and one private.
Royal Army Medical Corps-Twó corporals and ten privates.
“Army "Education · Corps.-W. O
Instr. F. A. Fabel.
DINNER DANCE -
תי
Repulse Bay Hotel on Wednesday 14th October, 1938 at 9 p.m.
"A' dinner dance wll be held at
Hawker licences the present Class 1 (Food) be subdivided into the following new classes:
Fish.
Class 1:-Eggs, Dried Meat, Balt
Class 7:Cooked Food, Congee.
Cakes
R.E.O.C.A. DANCE
Continuing their series of Fort- nightly Dances, the REO.C.A. an¬ nounce that their next Dance will be held in the Roof Garden at the Peninsular Hotel on Saturday. October 17th. commencing at 830 pm Music from the band of the 2nd Batt: Royal Weich Fusiliers by kind permission of Maine. A A Alston, D.8.0., M.C.
Engagement..
Mr. A. F. Walkden And Miss Mason
Force of habit or mere indiffer that our general policy should be sale of food (with the exception' Pudding Bean Curd, Tes and The engagement is announced
Preserved between
ence to where food is taken would to reduce the number of hawkers of ice cream) be granted to new seem no less important than the and now that the new public applicants during the Itcensing Clans 8:- Sweets,
Alan Frank Walkden. actual cost of the food. There are health legislation is in force we year commencing on October 1st Fruit.
younger son of Mrs. G. L. Walkden, many lower class eating-house should first concentrate our efforts 1936 and ending on September 30th Class :-Ice Cream.
of The Laureis, Windsor Avenue. and maintain that if food on hawkers of food-especially 1037.
Class 10-Non-nerated Drinks, Cliftonville. Kint, and Isabel Joan hawkera were abolished more those who sell cooked food. The. (c) that this Council resolves | Jeilles.
Mason, only daughter of Mr and cheap eating-houses would be by-laws governing the prepara that in the case of Itinérant The motion was approved.
Mr. Stanley, Mason, Hong Kong.
Check
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