THE CHIT SYSTEM.
YESTERDAY'S DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL
Arguments for and Against
the New Bill. V
the convenience
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1917.
ao practical inconvenience or hard.
have been a
the
them."
By
of our oldest residents that he him-
The Bat da-porly perrasing the collection of been sent to the Hon. Colonial solicitors to speak for them that du a thing that should brought against the bill is that at [objection.
alba, The Liquor Ordinanca ink present there is little loss incurred signed to bring the method actual cash, the chit system. I main-Secretary protesting against the (Laughter), And it under the chit system, that it has of retailing liquor in public bars iûitain, is a convenience to 99 per cent. mesure. took it that the very bad case when you down that no person shegy in fact worked well and is a great Hongkong into line with that in of the European population of the hotel managers were competent haval to use very bad arguments, receive in payment for iquor, a convenience both to the licensee force in every civilised country in Colony, whereas it may be a cursa judges on the question of how suob, and especially when you have to article or thing, Whatever, aroap and his customers." If we were at the world. It may not make a to the other 1 per cent. In the inbusiness should be carried on chil'in solicitors to find argumenta, money. This is the same, provi tacking the chit system generally in single person sober, who is by terest of high morality you may say Before reading, those letters he against any particular question,sion as exista in the Home Act licensed premises I think this ob-nature a drunkard, but it may re that the 20 per cent, most put them would like to mention that he had His Excellency: It brings a re. It is got round here by th chit systemĶEM poken to some of the directorà collection to my mind of s éssn at pernicious: jection tould have great force. To strict the number of casual drinks salves to a great inconvenience for of the Hongkong Hotel and they the Police Court the other day. although this is not against the attempt to prohibit entirely by law which a person is in the habit of the benefit of the other one per cent were absolutely convinced in the Two Chinese were had up for the letter of the law it is certain the acceptance of chits in hotels taking between meals. It will also but I think there would be strenu other direction to that indicated same offence, obstruction or some against the principle of the law. (and we have only hotels to deal I hope have the effect of preventing ous objection to that course. Be by the Hon Colonial Secretary thing of that sort. One hired a was never intended that peop with) would in my opinion be merely such cases as have come to the notice sides, Sir, it does seem to me that
The Hon. Colonial Secretary-solfcitor and the other didn't, and should get credit for as muj
the Magistrate fined the man drink as they like and pay for vexations, but it is a very different of the Government, where persons if the Government really thinks Quite so. The chief matter discussed at matter in the case of chits in bari.addicted to drinking to excess, with there is too much drinking in the
The Hon. Mr Pollock:-I cannot without a solicitor $10 and the or not pay for it as they wer yesterday's meeting of the
Even if there are licensed premises no money but an abundant thirst, Colony the honest straightforward suppose that those directors would man with a solicitor $100, (Laughable. As for Mr Shewan'a remark Legislative Council was the Bill where there is practically no loss on have been able to obtain liquor in way to tackle the problem is to have spoken to me and wasted myter) because he had engaged a it reminds me of the last night F prohibiting the signing of chits for, alcoholic liquors in licensed such hits that is not a reason for return for chits at licensed premises restrict partially or totally the im time and theirs if they did not solicitor. What he really meant spent in England. I put up at the was that one man could afford a Liverpool Street Hotel and the Some licensed pre-in Hongkong, with the result that pertation of alcoholic liquor itself, mean what they said. premises save by bona fide resid.not legislating.
The Hoa Colonial Secretary: solicitor and therefore could afford bill next morning was something ent. The second reading of the mises incur very large losses on they have lost their positions and and then the Government revenue
I do not think their self respect, their friends have would suffer alongside those of the They spoke to me in exactly the to pay higher fine. I am sorry over ten pounds for my nights for interrupting you, Mr Shewan. enjoyment. Itendered a cheque. measure was proposed by the account. of chits. Hon, Attorney General. who it is generally known what those had to pay the chits and the persons public who look to a little ètimulant same way.
The Hon. Mr Pollock went on Hon. Mr Shewan (continuing); and was somewhat astonisheil dealt with various aspects of the losses are. I have here a bag con- concerned have had to be sent away in our somewhat enervating climate. Bill.
taining chits amounting to about from the Colony at further expense. In the past the one great evil which to read a long letter sent to the, I was merely pointing out that when the people in the office said. The Hon. Colonial Secretary, 83.000 all signed at one hotel and The evil is notorious. You cannot caused many of our young men to Colonial Secretary by Messia. these arguments of Mr Dodwell We can't receive any cheques
Deacon, Looker, Desoon and Har and Mr Pollock are very bad in- gave them my card and said, i
was the Governor of Hongkong in seconding, id:Sir,
in practically irrecoverable. The Hon. deal with the selling of liquor to the take the wrong turning was
ston on behalf of the Hongkong deed and require the support of seconding the motion for the Colonial Secretary produced a brown public as you would with the selling system in vogue many years ago Hotel Company, in which they two solicitors to help them out. I and referred them to the Hong "second reading of this Bill I only leather bag and displayed its con of biscuits. The civilised world has when the employees of the various pointed out that after fifty years will not go into all the arguments kong Bank, which I thought was
propose to deal with the principle tents. He resumed: Section 24 of found this out, as I have already firms were allowed
run up ac of experience they had found the used, I will take only one or two, good enough. But it was not good involved in the clauses which rel- the principal Ordinance prohibits remarked, and taken measures accounts, with the compradores of chit system to work well. Drink I cannot compare myself with Mr enough and I had at great incons
Bank Hongkong to the supply of intoxicating liquor the pledging of property in pay cordingly. The consumption of lithose concerns. That system has fog had decreased in the Colony in Pollock and Mr Dodwell in most venience to go down to the and draw on licensed premises not in conjune mets of liquor, hat I confess that quer with meals is an entirely inno. been stopped with excellent results. recent years and this Bill would things, but in one thing I know as
and that is the money to pay my hotel bill. No tion with a bour fide meal to per I can see little difference between enous and common practice and it cannot credit that the hotels will be a hardship to them because a much- song who are not resident on the handing one's cont across the bar it suits the management of licensed step into the shoes of those com- very large proportion of their take question of drinking in bars. gentlemen it is very simple The Laughter) I have been longer ditione under which hotel keepers matter, it is a question of the con- premises Through the action taken and drinking its value, and pledging premises to allow credit for liquor pradorea. If they do so they willings would be diminished.
suffer and I maintain it is their af letter appealed for consideration. in the Colony for one thing who have the privilege of selling during the five years ending on the one's credit in return for liquor by hold in such ciréunistapces it is no 30th November, 1915, in terminating means of chits, which there is no concern of the Government, but fair and not the affair of the Govern. That was a courteous letter, con- and Iknow this, that the arge liquor over the bar shall carry on
tint d Me Pollock; and they ex-ment that men will leave hotels publicans heeners except those intention of redeeming. A further where the privilege of selling liquor pent. You. Sir, during your regune pected,& courteous reply; but a and go to the clubs is all nonsense. the trade. I think this is a reason? able condition, I don't think it held in conjunction with hotels, objection that has been put forward by retail to the public for consump-have, I maintain, done the maximum reply only came yesterday, and The men who frequent the bare at there are no public houses in the is that the staff will have to be in at all hours and in all circum amount of good for the Colony in the that briefly stated that a full ex hotels are not the men who belong will do much harm, in fact I am ordinary sense of the term in the creased in order to check the money stances is conceded it is both reason-way of putting down insobriety, planation of the Bill would be to clubs at all and the hotels will fully convinced that in the and it Colony, and it is presumably for received in lieu of chits, or that able and right that payment in cash You have pushed on the improve-given in the Legislative Council, lose nothing in that way. In fact will redound to their own benefit of visitors other higher salaries will have to be paid should be insisted of. In a law ofment of the roads, you have taken He, Mr. Pollock, thought there one of the directors of one hotel Therefore, I ask you to pass this than residents that some hotels re- to all servants employed in the general application it is impossible deep interest in and facilitated the was no justification for the Gov- said it would make no earthly Bill, which I do not think is un gularly apply for publicans' licences hotel, who under the provisions of to distinguish between one person making of our golf course at Fan-ernment waiting until the very difference. In fact they preferred reasonable and you hear from one Such a licence enables an hotel to the bill would be in the position of and another. The Bill removes a widen the scope of healthy exercise explanation. The brown bag of the interest. One argument self regards it as reasonable; and
ling and you have done everything to eleventh hour before it gave a full to get the cash in and save bave what is described in the prin- receiving ensli payments. The only obvious flaw in the principal Ordin. cipal Ordinance ne a public bar, and deduction I can make from this obtend as I have enderrouired to in the Colony and to do away with chits caule from a hotel they did Follock used was grotesque, that this think, ought to carry great that cooped up feeling which I can
not know, and simply showed the strangers who come here will weight in this Council.
The question of the second read-- the disappearance of the public jection is that in the bars referred point out, while putting a stop to well imagine in the old days mustlarly improvident in his trans- will not be taken. Where icing was then put and carried.
that the manager had been singu-be inconvenienced because chits bouses naturally ted to AB to no money has bitherto been ystem liable to grave abuse inflicts
In committee Mr Pollock mov- increased amount of custom for the taken, and that is of course not the
great incentive to actions. An institution: like the the world except here would any bolel bars. Three bar whether case..
Under the bill more cash ship. I have little more to add. We drink I hope. Sir, you will not be- Hongkong Hotel required no pro- one tender a chitin a public bar? ed an amendment to clause 3 that dignified by the name of saloos, but will be received than hitherto but have been asked for the reasons why little that by introducing this poor teption in that direction and it I would like to see the face of an after the word cash either paid a fet, lounge, kink, pagoda or what at the same time the employees who this Hill has been introduced as well potent little bill at the present simply meant thatall seven hotels hotel keeper in Glasgow or Aber- the bar or previously deposited" not, are merely adjuncts of the have been in the habit of receiving as the objects and I have given moment.
were to be restricted because one deen if a man came in and offered be added. He did not think that hotel, though perhaps profitable ad cash in some cases and chits in them, but if we had been asked for Interrupting His
Excellency required special protection. It a chit for & drink. The thing is would interfere with the principle janels, and so long as public opinion others will be freed from what must the reasons why such Bill had not pointed out that the object of the would cause serious inconvenien- ridiculous, People come forward of the Bill in any way. It would demands that such places shall be occasionally the perplexing pro-been introduced years ago I per Bill was not to stop drinking.
ce to the leading hotals, and sure-with such ridiculous arguments enable any resident to have a despo exist, I cannot imagine that any blem of whether to accept or refuse sonally would not have been ready!
"His Excellency, said that was Mr. Dodwell admitted that there was ly an hotel with fifty years experi- and waste our time. I and an- Posit system. -*- a measure in force at Home, out:ence had the right to say how its other hon. member have been the system which he had seen in: Government, except in some great | a chit. Even in the case of a well with a satisfactory answer except
business should be conducted. Mr|murmuring for some time because emergency, would refuse to accede known customer whose credit has perhaps to murmur "alo custom. His Excellerey knew the reasons for Pullock then read a letter from we have been kept away from our force in Canada and which had to the demand, though it is per- I never been questioned an unfort However, the omission line at last it and be submitted that those rea
Mecare Dennys and Bowley to own businesses. It is a storm in been followed by most deplorable fectly justified in stipulating that unâte "crisis 'may alter the position. been rectified and I make bold to sons were not existent here. the Hon. Colonial Secretary on tea cup, much ado about nuth-results. He referred to lumber the right conferred shall be exer and while his thirst ay tinue say that there is not a single mana- The Hon. Mr H. E. Pollock, K... behalf of the King Edward Hoteling. I will not detain you any camps where the men came to cised in a fit and proper manner, {his credit will cease. The bill will
ger af licensed premises in this also opposed the passing of the in which similar points were longer although I could go through the hotel, put down the greater. At a meeting that I attended some relieve the licensee of the unplea-Colony who will not welcome the Bill. He said the although, the raised and wherein it was stated all their arguments and refute part of their wages, and steadily: drank until there was no more: months ago at which the proposal sant take of informing his customer change brought about by this law. Hon. Colonist Secretary had that practically all the shits were
His Excellency the Governor: money to their credit... made in this bill was discussed, n that his chits are no longer accept go farther, and I say that they said that the object of the Bill was promptly paid..
Me Pollock said that it was, There they had the opinion of We are dealing with the law un- is not a single director of any hotel not to restrict the sale of drink ed interests?'' The remark o will be no invidious distinctions. All casioned some amusement and the licensed premises will be on the publican's licence, who does not in which could not be interpreted in lock, whereas the hotel from for the retail sale of intoxicating & gold dagget and said "Tell me With regard to which the brown bag of cbits had liquor. It is a very remunerative when I have drunk it. It might mecting ended somevint suddenly, same footing, and there wil he his heart "know that this (the reasons for the Bill he would come was anonymous. It they commission given by the Govern be a bad system in Canada but
wi really serve useful pur but I have not forgotten the temptation for licensee to give
more or less weight. At all eventsbility. It is only given to a certain when a ship came in men would rénsoor," the reasons were con- currence. I have been jong enough credit where he is in, doubt in order pose, and that the possible lossent out that in the "objects and knew the hotel it might carry meat and is one full of responsi. the conditions here were different.
it seemed as though careful number under annual license and in the public service to have acquir to prevent a customer going else very temporary diminution in the spicuously absent. That was a ed a great respect for vested in where. This is one of the chief receipts which may be caused will grave and serious omission. The managers could always regulate the Government is fully entitled come ashore with money in their more than counterbalanced or Unofficial Members and the public the credit, and suffer-d no incon- without any notice whatever to pockets, deposit the money at Lerests, but I bare little regard for reasons why in my opinion this babe improveinent in the general ought to know before the actual i venience from the chit system. To review the license or to vary then hotel and when it was gone aesumed rights. But when rights should be welcomed by those whom
amorale and self respect of those who second reading what the reasons give more weight to one anony-conditions of the license in any they would be told they could The amendment was not ac- of even the nost ucilous kind are it will chiefly affect. Another remake use of his premises. I beg to For a Bill were. It was not much mous hotel than to two well. Way it thinke fit. Now this Bill is get no more. likely to be affected by legislation presentation that has been made
good publishing a Bill in the Gaz-known botels seemed, to bim, sb. brought forward for the very sim
cepted. it is the usual practice in
this is that as chits have been taken for and the motion, "
surd. It was like saying that an ple reason and object and the rea-
The Hon. Attorney General re The Hon. Mr. S. H. Dodwell said effe sometime previous to its com Colony to give those concerned an great number of years no change
oppose the second Fing before the Council if there was anonymous letter in the Press goes with the object, and that ferred to the point raised by Mr. opportunity of making representais either necessary or desirable. Sir, I rise to
no mention of the reasons for it. had more weight than two lettera is why it was not elaborated in tions and this has been done in the cannot think this a sound argument, reading of this Bill at least of the For every Bill it was desirable to signed by residents of high stand the objects and reasons. The ob: Pollock, saying he did not think It would ing. Proceeding, Mr Pollock ject of the Bill is to prohibit the the effect of the Bill would make present instance: Representations It is one that might be used to bol-first six paragraphs of it. We have give adequate reasons. have been received, and I pro- ster up practically every abuse
all heard what my hon. friend the be admitted that it was undesirable pointed out that a stranger could sale except for cash of intoxicat an innocent purchaser liable for pose to deal with them. The prin- which has ever existed. I think Colonial Secretary has said and to multiply the number of things go to a Club of which he had been ing liquor. We are not accustom the act of the seller; but to make cipal objection to the enforcement that in Hongkong we are rather have been duly impressed by the in regard to which is man could made a member and sign chitsed nor are we required to set out of payment in cash in hotel bars by proud of being well up to date in production of the bag of chits, which be hauled before a magistrate and for drinks: but in a hotel a dis. all the arguments we are going to to clause 6 to add the words "to This was accepted, the Bill then persons other than residents is that most things. Reform is in the air for all we know may be spread over it was particularly undesirable in tinction must be made. It was adduce in arguing the Bill, if it is the knowledge of auch person."
who could
not untrustworthy to pay his chits embark up on this legislation with ings, or as it is put in cae cases the chits we drink. In regard to Although he seems to have evaded strangers, "needless pecmiary Inss." Now the system of chite we are sadly he the point, it seems to me that there be expected to be acquainted with for drinks. Now that the question any grand-motherly or grandfathed.
can be no question that the real the laws: yet they found in of trying to diminish the amount erly object of restricting the con- this statement involves two assump.hind the rest of the world. Wo
claves 5 the Bill positively proof liquor sold had been pat on one sumption of alcoholic liquor, but tione, one that persons who have practically go back to the old village eject of this. Bill is to restrict the posed to make every buyer re-side he could not see, from the our attention had been drawn to
Mines Off Norwegian Coast. been in the habit of taking their inn where the inhabitants had their drinking of alcoholic liquor in the sponsible for the fault of the material before him, that there the very serious irregularities in
Copenhagen, August_29. —-- drinks between meals at a certain score chalked up on the tap room Colony. The reason for it is that seller. It said that every person was any necessity for such legis the existing law. The hon. mem- bar will cease to do"es if they have door. I suppose the reason which the Government are of opinion that supplied with liquor in contraven-lation. The Hongkong Hotel and her representing the Justices of to pay cash for them, and secondly would be pleaded is "Olo Custom," there is excessive drinking at the tion of the Ordinance would be the King Edward Hotel were big the Peace seems to have over Steamships arriving from Bergen looked entirely the other in report hundreds of drifting mines that if this result does follow on the "Olo custom" has often much to public bars, which I think number guilty of an offence. If the seller establishments."
His Excelloney: Did you say stances which the Hon Colonia off the Norwegian coast. It is passing of this bill, that the licensee recommend it as being based to a about seven." I do not claim to be had guilty knowledge the Bill, by of the bar will be deprived of money great extent on common sense, but an expert in this matter or to be some extraordinary turn of force, just now that the Hongkong Secretary gave. He referred to believed an extensive, tuine Keld Colony drinking far more than reported off the Dorthern coast of to which he is entitled. I think it also sometimes gives its tacit chuan habitue of these bars but from transferred to the shoulders of the Hotel had never, made any bad the case of an individual in this is adrift. Many mines, 4:50, sro Mr Pollock replied that he had was good for him. If he had had Norway and in the Arctic Ocean. there is also suggestion that the sent to undesirable things, and none what I have gathered I do not think user guilt as well, even though debts?
anot said so. The King Edward to pay ish he could not have in- liquor will still be consumed, but more demoralising to my mind that the evil is anything like sufficiently were a stranger and had no
Holland's Foodstuff Shortage. in places where this legislation will the supply of liquor to the public serious to warrant Government in. Knowledge. The Bill, was
garded chits there was nothing to tär as the members of the absolutely droke down, his not he in force. It is possible that in return for scraps of paper, for terference nor do I think, if it were peculiar plece of law, for as re- Hotel said in their letter that as jured his health in the way he did. there may be a temporary diminu. that, as I have given tangible proof, sufficiently serious, that this. Bill.. vent any reputable person mercantile marine were concerned friends had to pay the chits be
Amsterdam, September 1 would achieve, its object. It would
A store and they always settled, their chits gave to the hotels and a paternal tion to bar receipts, but the Govern-in what these chits often are. Lastly
from going into ment would not view such a result fear has been expressed that the merely drive these black sheepzetting goods on credit, but it did when they drew their wages. government had to ship him out News has been received hers, that as a valid objection to the bill in penal provisions in the bill will among us who don't like paying affect a person getting drink on The Hongkong. Hotel had said of the Colony. Now why should permission for the exportstion of view of the public benefit to be deri. place the licensee in jeopardyash to some of the clubs, wliere credit. If a stranger went to a that during the last fifty years the we be called upon to pay a man's wheat and far already loaded ved from it. A secand objection through no fault of his, but it in they can conceivably get a great hotel and received drink on amount they had lost was infini-passage out of the Colony becapse on ships in American poria for that has been pat-forward is the right that I should point out that did more comfortably intoxicated credit, not knowing the law, then to imal. He thought, no one he drinks himself into a state of Holland has been refused Are the cumbersome nature of the local since this objection was made the than at the public bur, the proprie he was equally guilty with the would be so childish as to suggest delirium tremens, at the bars of the nouncement to this efect, is made It was a strange law which lost. In conclusion Mr Pollock not the first case we have had of to the communal antiorilor es coinage makes it improbable that clause in the Bill as published in tur of which always has his license seller, and was liable to be run that no money, at all had bear for hotels there are here, I to an official communication the public will spend much ready the "Gazelle" to which exception think of My hon. friend the said that if "A" committed a crime characterised the Bill as unneces. the kind, but it is the most recent ma cash in places where they are not was taken has been omitted. Un: Colonial Secretary has spoken, of then "B" did also. He now under sary, mischievous and rexatious, case and it directed attention to plaining the stent reduction in allowed to sign chits. The refer less there is a deliberate attempt reforms, Well, Bis, without unduly stood that there was no wish Ia legal, parlance, he would, if the faw in the law. And then we the bread ration and earnestly ence is apparently to the silver dol to evade the law no possible danger whitewashing the Colony I fancy it to raise the point of attempt addressing a jury, say that no had the case of this bug full urging economy. The sunos to restrict the sale of case for the Bill had been made of chits. I don't mind saying ment adds: "We therefore. lar, but it is unlikely that that coin can arise as the onus of proving that is an admitted fact that in days ing
Where we got them from. It ir not know with certainty that the will, be used much in future for or the purchaser of liquor in a bar; gone by this was considered to be liquors and therefore, the Hon. out dinary small retail transactions lounge, kiosk buffet or pagoda is one of the wettest places in the Colonial Secretary was, appealing The Hon. Mr R Shewan: I did any secret. They came from the portstion of breed grain from The issue of ane dollar notes has a guest in an hotel will be on euchar East and now I believe that we on the strength of the wonderful mot mean to speak on this Bill at North, Point Hotel and the whole erios cannot be reckoned ranently been doubled and the pur purchaser. Cath will always be dehave earned the reputation of being contents of that brown bag with all, because I consider it a very of them, $5000 worth of chit that all have to endles chaser of ensual and promiscuous manded where the bar attendant, is one of the driest. If we have ac- its rather musty looking chita harmless little Bill; nor did I ex-were incurred within a period of along with "why y drinks will, I am convinced, soon in any doubt and the purchaser will complished that without legislation from one hotel which appeared peor to hear such a flood of elo-six months. The Hon, Captain li w aid that drop into the habit of keeping a bare to give the number of his room is it not pity to introduce this to have suffered ganriderable loas quence poured out about such & Superintendent of Polide informa few of these notes in his pocket, for or furnish some other evidence that little pin prick of a Bill! Owing to The question now, appeared to be small matter. The Hon. Krme since the debate began, that, grain loaded on dealt within the interest of the Follook says that this is quits the King Edward Hogg about two has deteriorated. it must be remembered that the be resides in the hotel. The objerr currency and its various de hotel keeper. He thought that the obvious and that is quite years ago hosted him, a batch of to the section of the public who will be tion to clause d in the Bill as publi. nominations and the geam laden za zwo loading hottie held different plait, but it is quite obvious that chits for the sum of 12 100 house be bronzes 10. affected by this bill is complastre-shed was a valid ons, but the omis, bio of a good deal of it and oring views for all to read the time opposition, he bewed cof up ed during the stay of one ship in, for ly, small one. Another objection Ision of the clanse! has remored the 10, the really erpat dimculties of pro- Council two letters, which hade by the two hotela,who haya hired this port by members of the ojum
well known member of the
Gm-able.
Backed by this law he will
munity exclaimed "What about vest-have the same reply to all and there in the Colony which possesses he had used words in bis speech the two big hotels, said Mr Polder which persone are licensed similar to the man who put down.
bl
any other sense.
S. E. the Governor said that
ابلادي
it clear he moved so amendment
it will cause a seduction in the 1akwe breathe, but apparently not in Bity years. There are 83,000 worth. matter like that; which affected treating a man as though he were necessary to argue it. We do not being road a third time and pass-'*
in.
maki
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