HONGKONG
Three More Cases
Disposed of.
Mr. Syme Thomson,
14
The firet esse on the list was that of Mr. Syms Thomson, of Messrs. Dodwell and Company, Hr. Dodwell appearing on behal:)
will meet,
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPE, TRURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 1918.
:
indirectly from and he began to get boein
from there to Birrell should be t
would be obliged to clos that was
ũng
about the qualities, gradas sto. Hin - Excellency The paint such as the aboys have
and CONSCRIPTION. of the VATIONS
articles to made was the anrolment of Mr. be left over until after offon enable him to efficiently in Syms-Thomson had been spring hours and cannot invarishly Yokohams and then home. pect purchases and negotiate upon the firm at a moment's be carried out as fully as they → In your opinion and from department altogether. The war on ble from America salem. I admit that businem in notice. Sounds
should. Any further reduction in your knowledge it would be services of the firm were such which they proposed to comm TO-DAY'S APPEAL TRIBUNAL. Exports and Imports is restricted Mr. Dodwell said he wished it the star would render is impoa imposible to obtain man from that the Council could readily up Hongkong with the islanda.“ owing to aircumstances, but there to be understood that he was sïble for dus attention to be paid your Eastern branches? -Nothing | recognise that it could not He had also naked the Telephone is business to be done, and what desirous of letting Mr. Syme to all the details of the Bank's is impossible, but it would mean penalise their patriotism and Company a little while ago what thers is I contend should be Thomson go. He had not intended business by the few remaining reducing the business of some energy and perseverance in build-proepeat there was of obtaining the erergetically sought after by the to resist his going, but when he members, and the result would of the branches.
ing up a business, by taking necesary cables and they stated British firme, both in the interesta got back from America Mr. almost inevitably be that trade The Attorney General Are from the Brm its expert engineer that they could be got from Ame of the Colony and the Empire. I Barretto informed him that he was interests would be likely to anffer. your men in Americs liable to the whom they had specially engaged ics. Es mentioned this to show The Appeal Tribunal sat this would ask leave to refer the leaving That was how it was If Mr. Bitaaie is taken, the Bank's draft law --Yes, only foreign since the war and which forms a that it was in the interests of the morning to consider three cases Council to a short extract of speech sprang upon him. of appeals from the decisions of made by Bir. Auckland Geddes
General Manager will have to de-men are exempt.
very important item in the Colony and therefore of trade Mr. ThomsonIt was Mr. side whether the businow at this Are they being taken They rebuilding of the trade. It would that certain machinery should be the Military Servios Tribunal. Hat Manchester in July last Barretto's leaving which was Branob is to be cut down to a are being taken and our affices be only right to give Mr. Birrell obtained from America. E, the Officer Administering the "In order that we may be sure sprung upon you. Government, (the Hon. Mr. Claud that our armies are not crushed
turn-over commensurate with the are being staffed by women in total exemption.
Hon. Director of Public Works: His Excellency: Another point reduced staff or whether another New York.
His Excellency-The point-They could be obtained from Severn, C.M.G.) presided and there were also present:-Major- and shat they are able to stand made is that if Mr. Syme Thomson and more inncoent branch will His Excellency We have you here put before as just now American without an agency here.
| the strain which Germany, with; is enrolled there will not be share General Ventris, (General Officer
to spare
a senior received a letter from the Consul was put before the Tribunal by The Hon. Colonial Secretary: Commanding), the Hon. Mr. A. G. ut doubt, has the power to suficient degree of safety for assistant. It has, I believe, bean Ganers for the United States Mr. Birrall
When Mr. Birrell came before the M. Fletcher, (Acting Colonial impose upon us, we must have carrying on the department. suggested that this Bank, being giving his views on the matter. © Mr. Looker: The only know. Tribunal in the first instance he
man," and men for the fighting Mr. Dodwell-I cannot take an American institution, its Secretary), the Hon. J. H. Kemp lines; but not only for the fighting the risk of doing business in this interests are not so much in His Broellency announced that the newspaper reports, and Mr. Looker:-I understand he After esnaideration in private, ledge I have is that contained in stated that he was not an engineer. (Attorney General), the Hon. Mr. line. There is something more department without Mr. Syme British trade sa are those of other the decision of the General gather from them very little as is a commercial engineer, that is A. M. Thomson, (Colonial Trea than a fighting-line in an army. Thomson. I must have someone Backs in the Colony whoes Military Service Tribunal would they appear to have given the to say he is a man who has been surer), the Hon. Mr. T. L. Perkins Behind the fighting line there are to inspect the articles which the employees have come before the be reversed and Mr. Bitchie would minor and not the major points in engineering work where he (Acting Director of Public arward services. Here in this Chinese send us.
Tribunal This is a wholly mis- be granted total exemption. Works), Mr. N. J. Stubb, Mr.
for exemption. When Mr. Birrell has gained special experience and C.H.P. Hay and Major Morgan.
country is the vary centre, the Mr. Dodwell went on to say taken point of view -* the
was before the Tribunal on the training and a thorough know- very heart, of the alliance, that that business was now interests of our Bank here
Mr. J. D. Birrell,” first occasion he was granted ledge of the firm's machinery and and we must retain here auf surrounded by many pitfalls are
very largely wrapped Mr. H. W. Looker appeared on exemption to make arrangements appliances, which enables him to ficient forces to make it absolutely which did not exist before. ap in British trade, while those of behalf of Mosura. Gerin, Drevard and it was confirmed by the sell them and to see that they run- useless for the Germans to attempt The Hon. Mr. Fletcher: Is the Colony are, at the present and Co., appealing against the statement of the chairman the after being set up, thus rendering a raid, let alone an invasion. there no other member of the time, closely associated with enrolment of Mr. J. D. Birrell, other day. It appears to him an expert on the subject. (Cheers.) But there is something firm possessing a similar know- America sa ita principal market | Outlining the facts he said that mo... thei the Tribunal The Hon. Colonial Secretary- of the firm.
more. Our future, the fature of ledge?
snd this close association is bound the firm had been established in recognises that it was desirable pointed out that Me. Birrall said Mr. Dodwell, addressing the your businesses, depend upon our Mr. Dodwell :-Not one mem to grow. As I have already 1909 and had developed a very that arrangments should be made he did not set up machinery and Tribunal, said :-
position throughout the world, ber of the firm has a similar written, for the information of large impart and export trade, for this engineering branch of he did not do more than sell the The decision of the Military our prestige and our power, and knowledge.
the Tribunal, the Federal Reserve principally in silk. There was the business to coatinus. Of msobinery, Service Tribunal in Mr. Thomson's while we are thinking of the The Hon. Mr. Fletcher:-Is Board at Washington give, a;en office in Shanghai and one in course, the Council knows it de⠀ Mr. Looker said he did not do case is fraught with each serious forces in France and Flanders we Mr. Barretto definitely leaving? ruling that the existence and pro- Lyons but the firm's men were impossible to arrange for a sub more at the present moment consequences to my firm that I am have to remember that is not our
Mr. Dodwell-Es is leaving per carrying on of the business taken from the Lyons office for stitute. It has been impossible because the Company bad not going to take the unusual course only interest, although it is of at the end of the month. He will of this Bank, se slao that of other military service and the office for a long time to replace a had anything to set up. of admitting frankly that I feel vital interest. But the East also not stay although I offered very American Banks with foreign had to be closed down. The same qualified engineer or a man with He made a point of that în its adverse nature was due to my calle. You know what the East much more salary. He has taken a branches, is necessary for the applied to Shanghai. Mr. Gerin engineering experience, because connection with the Electrio anticipating that further exemp esas to you and to the business partnership in a Portuguese firm maintenance of American nations! was taken himself and the whole they do not exist except in pre Company but they deny it ?--I tion, at any rate, would be a of England and the East calls for which is making a lot of money. intereste, and therefore that no business in China was closed after sent employment.
understand that be considerul practical certainty, and to my men to maintain our position. The Hon. Mr. Kemp:-Can you American membera of its foreign it had been established for a His Excellency-At the and that having supplied or arranged- consequently not emphasising and eomabow out of our available not get any other sesistance, not staff were liable for military duty. considerable number of years. Mr. of the Tribunal proceedings: Mr. for machinery which was of a sufficiently in my evidence, Mr. man-power we have to provide, necesarily English, but Par I realise the necessity and justice Garia was discharged from the Birrell stated that there were three rather delicate nature, it Thomson's value to as. In spite not only for production which will tuguese ?
of sacrifices for Imperial or Army and came back to China Europeans in the Hongkong office would be up to him to set of the fact that our firm give the funds to carry on the The Hon. Mr. Dodwell --No; American national interests, but and took hold of what he could and the chairman remarked that anything right if it went wrong. have already sent 70 members war, bat "for the forces Portuguses firms are making so where such a sacrifice appears to of his business interests. He this was more than had been allow- Has he expert knowledge in of its staff
to join the which
and much money now that it is im- be detrimental, to these interests, established himself at Shanghai, de in other cases. Mr. Birrell also setting it right ?—Yes. allied forces, I ask you to bear hops and believe defeat, the possible to get anyone.
then I feel compelled to Hongkong, Canton and Haiphong stated that his services were not The Hon. Director of Public in mind that I realise to the fal- German effort, and forces which After the case had been de protest against ise being offered. Éle got back mbarly required for the running of the Works asked what work Mr. Isat extent what a serious matter will maintain our power and liberated upon in private, His Ex- A similar protest has been the whole of bia business Westinghouse plant at the Electric Birrell had been trained in, and it is to stand in the way of a young prestige throughout the East, cellency stated that Mr. Syme-made by managers of other Banks and now did a business which Works but that he would be re- Mr. Locker replied that he wa man going home to fight, and I That was in July. Surely now the Thomson would be granted total in the Colony, members of whose ran to millions of dollars a year. sponsible to see that they run for three years in a steam abop in wished the Tribunal to appreciate war position warrants our efforts exemption.
staff it has been proposed to On the suggestion of the Chair-properly.
Australia and he then went to the this. I said that it Mr. Thomson being directed more and more
Mr. D. Ritchie,
enroll, and while a very small man of the French Chamber of Mr. Locker-With regard to Westinghouse in Pittsburg, and were granted further exemption I towards the economic struggle
Mr. Hogg, of the International percentage of the pre-war atal of Commerce in Shanghai, Mr. Gerin the Hongkong Office, the staff we
for five years with the would do my utmeet afterwards that will follow. Major Morgan Bank, appealed against the the Chartered Bank has been started an engineering depart includes two Swist. The Company. He said he had a to carry on with the new man Mr. Was agreeable to a trifling ex decision of the Tribanal in the taken, and that of the Mercantile ment. Mr. Garin approached the Tribunal
chiafly appeared thorough experienos in all that Coulter, and I am afraid that the emption, but that was not agreed case of Mr. D. Bitchie.
Bank not reduced at all, it has Westinghomas Company and to here before them the electrical machines the people Tribunal came to the conclusion to by the Tribunal. Even if Mr.
Mr. Hogg said :—I am making been decided by the Tribunel to subsequently they gave the question of plant for the Electric made. He did not say that ha from thie that Mr. Thomson's ser. Thomson had three months ex this appeal on behalf of the In- reduce the pre-war staff of this agency to him, and they had sent Company and the Dairy Farm bad run engines or had eat them to us. The Tribunal may have possibility for him to impart to in accordance with directions four men would be altogether was that the firm wished to extend in contemplation by thoes vices were really not of mach value emption is seems to me sa im-ternational Banking Corporation Bank by one half! In the case him so expert in engineering ex-contract. These, as a matter of up, but he knew how they should
of this Bank 4 staff of perience. The reason for this step faot, were projects which were been further guided-or rather anyone, having previous which I have received from the
Hon. Attorney Generst: - misguided-by Mr. Thomson's experience of the trade, sufficient Bank's General Manager, who insufficient to do the work done ita range of machinery businere companies and one of which, When was the Dairy Farm con answers to questione put to him. expert knowledge to enable us to write that it is impossible for by a pre-war steff of eight. And and also establish an electrical the Electric Company, involves act signed ?-It has not besa auswered, I think it was to Mr. of safety. Under the very beat replace those we have been losing bers of this Council would be st years' experience with the West. Westinghouse poaple. It was actual contract?-I understand At the original proceedings he carry on with a suficient degres him to have men shipped to I cannot think that your Excell- machinery business. Mr. Birrell the putting ap of rather delicate signed yet.
enoy and the Honourable Memwas sent out. He had bad five machinery manufactured by the
I think it was referred to as an Landale, that he was not a Piecs staff conditions every merchant either by reason of the Draft Act all inclined—partionlarly at this ing house people and is an ex-thought Goods expert. At the last pro- knows it is difficult enough in Americe or because they have to make invidious distinct part is that particular line. He necessary for Mr. Birrell to plating extending it canned meat that it would be that the Dairy Farm is contem ceedings he esid he was not an to avoid claims for inferior gone to England to enlist, Inions between this Bank (88 was the only person in the basi-remain here, bat Insurance Expert. I agree that deliveries. There is one other other lettera to the Clerk
now they trade and they will want machine he can hardly be considered either point which I submit may not of the Tribunal, written by being an American institution) mess with any experience what found that they were comery for making tin cans. They of these, but he has had 3 years have been fully appreciated by me at the time when two of the and other British Banks in ever of engineering, and he alors petent to do it themselves. As have naked for plans and speck- experience in our Export and the Tribunal. It is the fact that assistants in the employ of the the Colony. The possibility was capable of conducting the for the four electrical units which finations to be prepared for install- Import Department, out of which we are registered at home and Bank here were summoned to ap. of such a distinction being drawn machinery business. The firm were coming forward, it would be ing it. Those are either wholly he has been two years in charge pay full home income tax and pear before that Tribunal, is evidenced by the remark of the had already
Way impossible for anybody to offer prepared or are in the course of of it, and in consequence is of excess profite tax, which in 1916 pointed out that, at the com- Chairman of the Tribunal, tour spesial electrical units, them for sale without a consider preparation. They have not andoubted value to us. In answer and 1917 amounted to $200,000. mencement of the war, the foreign addressed to the Manager of the and they had in stock two able knowledge of their working. accepted any contract to set it up to Mr. Adamson, Mr. Thomson I put this forward in my letter staff here of the Bank consisted Mercantile Bank :-“And also, I small engines. In addition, they His Excellency:--Now that Mr. si onos. mid that he did not consider to the Tribunal as a reason why of eight mon; that two of these suppose, you would claim that had both on the way and in their Garin has returned would it be I think the letter states that himself as much an expert in the thought we were entitled to the bad left, and we were the carry yours is a British Bank and the In- godowns, Tariona electrical possible, for him to remain be there was a contract with the Import and Export business as fullest consideration. In pointing on the work of the Bank with ternational Banking Corporation accessories. The Canton staff tween here and Canton and look Dairy Farm ?-That was for plans Mr. Barretto. In case this state of fact this home registration in a reduced staff of six tuen; and is an American Bank?" Whether consisted of one American, 31 after things? ***
and epacificatione. The latter ment should lead 10. а
our case means that by far the that a further reduction would that distinction was in fast drawn years of age and married, and Mr. Looker: He is engaged states “Further sincs that time misunderstanding I desire greater part of our profits on all necessarily serionaly impede by some members of the Tribunal, three Frenchmen, who were all in visiting branches. which we have entered into an agres- the Council to appreciate that trading goes towards the cost of the safe
working af the and so influenced them to refuse ander the orders of the military range from Shanghai to man with the Dairy Farm Mr. Barretto is not an ordinary the war, so that the decision of business of the Bank xemption for Mr. Ritchie, I am, authorities. They had seen ser Saigon and looking after Company for the making and Portuguesa export clerk. He is a the Tribunal will not only I may say that I did not apply of course, unable to say, With vice in Tientsin, Mr. Gerin had various basinese propositions supply of plans and specifios well respected member of the jeopardise our valuable Import for the exemption of Mr. Reid, as regard to Mr. Ritchie personally, seen two years service at the there and arranging for others, tion for erecting a Portuguese community, 43 years and Export trade, bat will deprive well as for that of Mr. Ritchie, I should mention that a mistake front and the French represents He appears to be the hinge on large, and up-to-date pork of age, with a lifelong experience the Home Government cofera of because I felt it to be possible was made in the report, which tire at Esiphong had been at the which the business reste. If you packing plant. The Dairy in the business, and naturally considerable sum of money. (unsafe though it might be) for appeared in the newspapers, of Front and had been wounded. He take the screws out of the hinge Farm asked them to supply plans with his 34 years experience Mr. Finally, Sir, I know of no came in the work of the Bank here to be the recent proceedings before the (Mr. Looker)mentioned those facte the door is bound to get loose. He and therefore perhaps they took Thomson might not consider which the head man of the Import done by a staff of five, at any rate, sisted that, in answer to the Meaera. Gazin, Drevard were an- notion of engineering and it ing of the machinery.
Tribunal. In that report it is to show that the war servibes of himself has not the faintest it that they would have the erect. himself as expert se Mr. Barretto and Export Department of any for a time. Notwithstanding this, But in any osse Sir, if what we similar firm in the Colony has yet Mr. Rischia, was granted three question "How long have you equalled by Bay firm in the Colony would be as hopeless for him to wrote to the Tribunal, and what bean non-exempted, and if Mr. months' exemption only and this been here" Mr. Ritchie said and perhaps in the Far East, Mr. attempt to sell these units that asumption is that they har8 I said at the proveedings do not Thomson is taken from a firm latter in spite of the Proper Mili three and a half years in the Gerin traveled from branch to are coming as it would be for me, entered into a contract for the make it perfectly clear that we look whose war record is as good netary Authority expressly stating International Banking Corpora branch. He had no experience of Bon. Colonial Treasurer-erecting of machinery, apon Mr. Thomson as an expert ara. L'aubmis it will be a grows that he made no claim for Mr. tion; six years in the East. The machinery. The firm had projects Where does this machinery come in the Import and Export trade I injustice.
Ritchie. We have, in fact, managed actual question was "How long on foot concerning machinery from? desite to emphasise that fast now. His Excellency said he was sure to carry on after a fashion from the have you been in the International in the Far East, Mr. Birrell Mr. Looker-From the West In the endeavour to make my the Tribunal fully appreciated time of Mr. Baid going, up to the Banking Corporation?" and Me had joined the Defence toghouse people. onse clear to the Council I would the latter part of the remarks of present, with a staff of five, but it Bitchie etated that he had been in Corpa two or three months ago, Hon. Mr. Holyoak said he represented the post like to mention the chief articles Mr. Dodwell as regarded other has meant very close application the employ of this Bank for eight hat, sending the final decision of thought it was a British American understood it. It was of Export and Import that Mr. companies and the sums they pay to work. The business of our and half years, air of which the Tribunal, he was not allotted Company, bat Me, Looker on, there was no sotaal, con Thomson has had this 3 years of He could not see that there was Bank more especially having he had spent in the East.
to any particular Corps," He plained that he understood that they had not got it experience in. Mr. Dodwell then any doubt that the Tribunal fally regard to the large number of its The Chairman With Legard suggested that Mr. Birrell would the British and American con Director of Pablo mentioned certain exports and realised Mr. Syme-Thomson's Chinese constitatante-requires to your Eastern branches, you be of more valise on the the lights cerns were entirely separate, Mr. Works:-Oần the Dairy importa and said:-Now that Mc.vsine.
most careful attention by abso- mentioned that they are very or similar work than would his Barrell had had five years' ex- got the purrent for the ma Barratto is leaving us, the decis-Mr. Dodwell don't think lately trustworthy and exper-shorthanded and you also stated services sa à privata soldier is perience with the Westinghouse-I do not know. They do not ion of the Tribunal takes sway they did; 1 am sure they did not, fenced men. I can offer no that they had not been brought szy other part of the world. His Co., whose agency Mr. Gerin had proporn to great it lox from us the only mân in His Excellancy-As to the mors timely example of within the draft law of the United services would be wary valuable secured and it would be given to 190, except on a small our office who has any expert remark which you referred to of the danger of understaffing States, add in this Colony. There was a someone else if Mr. Birrell had to Knowledge of these articles, and Mr. Adamson's, se to whether Mr. Bank than is given in the case Mr. Hogg: Before that posi- great shortage and demand - for go, as they would have to olo not only takes him away, but Byme-Thomson had an expert now under trial regarding a tion was arrived at your Excellen ngineers and the intereits of the takes him away at a moment's knowledge, the reply was that Me: forged document for $150,000. I cy, there was the Begistration Calony would be best serred by notice: Now, Sir, I think it must Byme Thomson did possess have been in understaffed off
no
be apparent to anyone present in knowledge in this to the of the Bank and my experi this Connoil Chamber, whether, asma ext
That the wor
similar to...
Act: which was
for the A great number of our youn gad
on the
ing him here in
Dolonial TreLI
new,
Hon. Colonial Treasurer: The
Mr. Looker said that Mr. Birrall was not so particular letters sa a lawyer would what appeared in the letter
ho be a merchant or not, that no Karj
*the