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TELEPHONE 16.
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Telephone: No. 1. A.B.C., 5th edition. Western Union. Office address: 11, Ice House Street.
DEATH.
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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
The Hongkong Telegraph
NOTES & COMMENTS.
SPEAK UP, PLEASE!
to merit a considerable amount of comment, and in our leader
оле
are
An
in
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1920.
DAY
BY DAY.
RICE CONTROL.
"ENTHUSIASM IS THE HEIGHT HONGKONG GOVERNMENT OF MAN; IT IS THE PASSING THE FROM THE HUMAN DIVINE."Emerson.
*-*
TO
of
REPORT.
SOME INTERESTING DISCLOSURES.
in the
every
It
its splendid harbour unrivalled for the Government to purchase opportunities for dealing with rice and subject to the approval an immense transhipment trade, of the Councils, this situation was It is in fact in the nature of accepted by the Government A great wharf and godown telegram was sent to the British Yesterday's meeting of the
where
class of goods | Consul at Saigon on the 1st July сап be Legislative Council, the first held
handled expeditious- enquiring whether it would be in the New Year, proved to be one
ly provided the machinery for possible for the Government of of considerable importance and
The health return for yesterday
doing so is kept at the highest Hongkong to buy Annam rice interest. The matters discussed
piteh of efficiency and without from the 1st August up tos maxim- -those of housing and the re-shows one fatal case each of
enteric fever and cerebro-spinal The following Preliminary Re-any unnecessary restrictions re-um of five thousand tors a month. moval of the military establish ments are sufficiently important meningitis. Both were Chinese. port, on the purchase and sale of tarding smooth working. Nothing for six months, for the purpose of rice by the Government of Hong- could be more fatal to local trade local consumption, and on the 4th The directors of the Hongkong kong during the year 1919, was than for an impression to be July the Consul suggested that to-day and in this column we Tramway Co., Ltd., recommend a laid before the Legislative Coun- created in the great markets of the best course would be for the the world that the Hongkong Government to approach the Food have ventured to call attention to final dividend of Is. 33. per share.cil yesterday
A sum of £7,116 0s. 3d. is carried
authorities might place obstacles Controller at Singapore with a From the beginning of last year or two aspects of those
it was realised that owing to the in the way of the quick despatch view to buying 27,500 tons of rice questions. But there is another forward.
extensive purchases of rice that of cargoes, or interfere with con- which he was willing to resell, the matter that arises out of the
The
exhibition
tracts connected therewith. price being about $13 a picul (Sai- annual
were being made to meet 10 Council meeting that we should
The work of paintings by the pupils of the abnormal situation like to refer to.
With regard to the rice trade, a gan currency), fab, the market reporting Council meetings is, Ellis Kadoorie School took place Straits Settlements and Ceylon, step in the right direction was price at the time being consider- This suggestion to say the least always a little at noon to-day at the School. the Hongkong rice market was taken not long ago by the stand-ably higher. arduous. Reporters on evening Hon. Mr. Claud Severn was the sure to be affected. At the end ardising of rice by the Exporters was adopted, and on the 11th July of the year 1918 the Government and Dealers Association of Hong- a telegram was received from the newspapers have to rise to a con-judge.
received an intimation from the kong in accordance with the re- Colonial Secretary, Straits Settle- centrated effort that is a great
For the theft of two packets of Secretary of State that, owing to peated requests of the California meats, stating that the Food Con- way removed from the mechani- cal reproduction of things heard. cigarettes which belonged to the exports from India haring Rice Association. Prior to the troller could sell 27,500 tons There is needed the assimilation sailor named F. W. Bond, on been restricted, the Colonies adoption of this measure no limit Saigon rice July allotment for of the ideas behind the spoken board the Alacrity, Chinese was mentioned were endeavouring was placed upon the amount of October delivery at $13.30 Saigon obtain rice from Siam broken grains mixed with good dollars ex mill, and requesting A.S. WATSON & CO., LTD. word and a ready condensation to-day sentenced at the Police to
the Secretary of State whole rice, with the result that the Government, if it wished for of the speeches, so that the main Court to seven days' hard labour.and
be contained points can
was informed on the 4th Januserious complaints came from this rice, to remit to the British $1,500,000 Owing to the continued in- ary that the Governmet of American buyers. It is expect-Consul at Saigon something approaching a precis
that the action taken Saigon dollars for the necessary Within something well under disposition of Mr. Justice Gom-Hongkong had never contemplat- ed three hours from the closing of pertz (Puisne Judge), the weekly ed official purchases of Siamese by the Exporters and Dealers advances.
The Qficer Administering the yesterday's meeting we gave to Summary, Lis: was taken this rice, but could not prevent local Association will have the effect of the public over six columns of morning by the Chief Justice (Sir merchants from placing orders in restoring confidence among buyers Covernment thereupon summon-
William Rees Davies, K.C.) what
Siam if the state of the marke: in America and elsewhere, where-ed a meeting of the unofficial transpired-an had
there was favourable. Da the by this valuable trade will be re- members of the Executive and operation that involved not only
Legislative Councils on the 15th Mr. Harold Dollar, of the 18th Jan, information was receiv-tained in Hongkong. the writing of the report, but the
firm of Robert ed from the Government of The bulk of the imported rice July at which the Colonial Sec- setting of it into type and the shipping
arrived in the Ceylon that arrangements had comes from Saigon and Bangkok, retary and Mr. R. O. Hutchison printing. We don't want to boast Dollar. has about that, because newspapers do Colony from Shanghai, accom-been made for the supply of rice and is usually packed in single were present, when it was decid- similar things the wide world panied by his wife. They are to Ceylon which would not guru bags of about 160 catties ed to purchase the 27,500 tons of necessitate buying in Siam or weight (213 lbs.), and, with the rice offered by the Food Con- the 27th over. But what we do want to staying at the Hongkong Hotel.
French Indo-China.
exception of yone shipments traller, Singapore. Deeply emphasise is that those who
It was realised that the Govern- to Japan, is cever An attempt to smuggle two
re-export- privileged to make
Early in February, Japan began
ed from Hongkong in the ment would have to face a coa- speeches in the Council, or any-rifles and a store of ammunition
The principal siderable loss of money in giving where else for that matter, should into the Colony from the Wabsun to buy rice in large quantities in have a little regard for the men failed through the vigilance of the Hongkong market, while at original tags.
the same time the Government of grade of rice exported is known effect to the decision to purchase whose duty it is to make those the Police, Serg: Shannon 10 Indo-China fixed the amount of as "Siam usual," and is ordinar-rice, and it at once become appar- ily made from a mixture of Siam ent that the loss would be in- speeches public.
average day effected the haul, though noice for export as follows:-
rice and Saigon long rice in equal creased owing to the high rate of competent reporter only asks for arrests could be made.
February-March...120,000 tons; parts. Before mixing, the rice is discount on the Hongkong dollar audibility-if he can hear, he can
Mr. Robertson, Asst. Superin-
The discount at first 60,000 tons;
screened so as to bring the at Saigon. do what is expected of him.
60,000 tons. When he cannot hear, when tendent of Cargo, of the Kowloon
amount of broken grains down to was 2336 per cent, bot on sub- Chinese
the standard. In the case of sequent purchases was somewhat he is denied opportunity of Godowns, charged a
On the 28th May the Secretary brown rice, especially when the lower. The Treasurer arranged trying to express, his work is not morning with the theft of a of State enquired whether the season is advanced, it is the with the Hongkong and Shanghai grasping the idea the speaker is coolie at the Police Court this only made more difficult, but quantity of brown sugar. Sergt. Government of Hongkong as custom to winnow the rice before Banking Corporation for the there is cast upon him a respon-Aris stated that the sugar, which negotiating for the purchase of
a quantity of dust and husks. Saigon, and the Government is to bear. It is not his fault if the godowns, was discovered tied June he suggested that in order The American market takes rice much indebted to that institution sibility he should never be asked came from some baskets in the rice from Siam, and on the 5th packing as it generally contains financing of the purchases in speaker's idea is warped because round the man's waist when he to avoid competitive buying in in 100 pounds double gunny bags for the valuable assistance reader- A Siam the Government should and sometimes in double bags of ed in this matter and for the some important passage was in- was searched at the gates. audible; yet.how prone are public sentence of 14 days' hard labour prohibit importation of rice from 240 pounds. The Cuban market moderate rate of four per cent. private account also takes the latter packing, but interest that has been charged on had been done in Ceylon shipments intended for South the overdraft. On the 26th July The debate on the housing question at yesterday's meeting of men to blame the reporter in was passed.
case where incomplete)
and the Straits the Legislative Council was illuminating in some respects, and it every
To-morrow's Pictorial Supple.
Settlements. America are usually packed in a telegram was received from Teply. the Secretary of double bags of 193 pounds gross the Colonis! S cretary, Straits was satisfactory in so far as the result of it is that varinus contem ideas are conveyed to the public plated schemes are to be considered by the Public Works Committee who must inevitably be left to ment will contain groups of the
this work of Settlements, to the effect that error the Food with a view to expediting matters. The Hon. Mr. Pollock has taken learn of many things by proxy. Leith-Gordon, Lovegrove-Free-State was informed that Hong-weight. Is
repacking, owing to up a fine cause by pleading that this question, which concerns all At yesterday's meeting there man and James-Mitchell wedd-Kong was an entrepot for a very standardising of us, shall receive actual attention as distinct from being werely were several occasions on which ings; a picture of the Hongkong large rice trade with all parts of which makes the trade of such Controller had offered 37,500 tons the world, local firms buying as importance and gives employ- whereas 13.750 tons only were stage, and it seems to be that we shall be for some considerable time joint phrases and there was a the winner of the Marathon Race:/agents for all countries and buyers ment to the large number of per.available, the balance having talked about. The only regret is that we are stil: at the talking it was only possible to catch dis-Telegraph cup, to be presented to to come. Like most other people. we have been wondering for some tendency for remarks to be made and a portrait of Lord Dunsany. in foreign countries transhipping sons referred to in paragraph time past what had become of the proposals foreshadowed in July in a low conversational tone. together with two scenes from his in Hongkong. It was pointed out pity that His plays which are to be staged by that if an embargo were to be last by the Hon. Mr. Severn whereby the Government were to have And it was s
and January and the Saigon crop necesary to make purchases local- built fats, etc.. for Europeans. The money for that scheme was to Excellency the Governor, whose the students of the Hongkong placed on the importation of rice
result would be to divert trade about a month or so later. Rice ly and this was done to the ex- have come out of the proceeds of the shipping requisitions, and remarks should be studiedly clear, University Union as the Theatre it would seem probable that the crop being available in December at a prohibitive price it became
round the Colony without;
tent of about 10,000 tons prin- things had so far advanced at the time mentioned that the Secretary was the most difficult to hear. Royal shortly.
is, however, exported from We believe the condensed report of State had authorised the use of a portion of the funds in this way.
CRICKET.
achieving the object in view, Hongkong all the year round cipally of broken rice to mix with and that the result to the according to Now, however, a hitch has occurred, for the owners of the vessels we gave was accurate, but if it
demand. Japan the Saigon rice on arrival. The following have been select large rice trade in the Colony has been recently the largest in charge of the general control Mr. R. O. Hutchison was put object to the appropriation of the money in the manner proposed. was not we lay the blame en and there is to be a jawsuit on the subject. That being the case, we other shoulders than those of oured to play for the K.C.C. against would be most serious.
customer, the United States of had better not say anything more on that point, except to observe staff, On behalf of reporters the C.R.C. at Kowloon to-morrow, arrangements had been made to America coming next. Until a of the rice position and five that the public is greatly disappointed that such a circumstance, with generally, on behalf of the general play starting at 2.15 p.m.-J. P. have sufficient rice for three short time ago shipments for the of the leading Chinese rice
public, and in the interests of its inevitable delay, should occur.
Robinson, J. Staikez. J. V. Braga, months local consumption always Cuban market went to the Pacific merchants were invited to act To many, the most interesting aspect of the debate was that in speakers themselves, may
W. T. Elson, J. C. Fletcher, A. Qin the Colony, estimated at about ports of the United States, and on & Committee to arrange the for which His Excellency the Governor referred to the questions of appeal
littlemore Brawn, D. M. Goodall, A. W. 27,000 tons. That careful watch were transhipped thence to their purchase and price of rice in this regard? house shortage and high rentals. We can quite agree with His thought Excellency that more houses are needed. The more houses there if there isn't, something will say. W. L. Weaser. K. R. was being kept on exporte, the en-destination; but latterly Cuban for local consumption. Sufficient deavour being to prevent the ex- buyers appear to have preferred godown space was rented and port of abuormal amounts to or to make direct shipments.
everything was in order to begin are, the cheaper rents are likely to become. But, seeing that it will happen one day that will be
dinary destinations and to limit
sales on the 1st August. be a very long time yet before projected schemes are sufficiently serious, and the blame will not
It will be clear from the exports to countries which
Unfortunately at the end of advanced to have any appreciable effect on the situation, what be ours.
account given in the foregoing July typhoon weather prevailed Bot normally draw on about the meantime? Are householders to be subjected to the ever- AN UNPRODUCTIVE MONOPOLY.
The final game it this Com- Hongkong to the lowest limits. Paragraphs that the situation pre- and it was impossible to convey increasing demands of the landlords without any hope of relief until With regard to the proposal petition will be played at Fanling In these circumstances the opin-sented considerable difficulties, ice across the harbour to Yau- these new houses spring into being? We do not know whether His that a Committee be formed to on Sunday the 1st February at ion was expressed that it would and the receipt of a telegram on mati. The result was that a Excellency is aware of the fact, but we can assure him that never consider and report upon the 1.15 p.m. before has there been so strong a feeling as at present prevails over removal to a more distant spot
be very inadvisable to impose re-d'Affaires at Bangkok to the footing rice shops and a riot took the 14th June from R. M. Charge portion of the population started The finalists are Messrs S.H. strictions on importation. this question of rising house rents. The people in Kowloon scarcely of the military establishments Dodwell and A. Ritchie, handicap Secretary of State replied on the Siatu had prohibited the export of
The effect that the Government of place outside the Yacmati Police talk of anything else, and there are quite a few who declare that of the Colony, none will deny 3, versus Mesere. R.L. Moncrieff 11th June that the matter of they will pay no more increases and, what is more, will not quit the that a very great deal of valuable and R. Bruce (Hongkong Bank), dealing with the rice situation rice from Siam as from the 12th? property which they rent. To tell these tenants to wait for more land in the centre of the City is handicap 19.
was left to the discretion of the July except under licence did not Military authorities the tug houses is so much idle chatter.
His Excellency the Governor says that any scheme for limiting. Tot only is a long stretch pointment of a Committee would Officer Administering the Gov-tend to improve matters. The price of both Slam and Saigon rice
HONGKONG, FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1920.
WHY NOT RENT CONTROL?
We
now being put to non-productive
***
Masakill, A. de Sousa.
GOLF.
April May
Siam
思想
THE-GOVERNOR'S SHIELD. | did
ernment.
That
is
and
an
been sold to the Netherlands In- There is only one crop a year could be got from Saigon except
dies. As no further supplies. in Siam and Indo-China, the Siam
the
continued to rise, the former to
Station. The Naval authorities
completed.
lent the tug Cherub and the
Omphale on the 28th July, which made it possible to rents will tend to check the development of building. We agree, of Queen's Road-the Colony's hasten matters most whereas tie
Before proceeding further, it$15 to picul and the latter, to and Hanghom. With the excep-
send воше if an attempt were made to fix rentals at an absurdly low central thoroughfare wastefully Government is of opinion that a
rice to Yaumati standard. But not otherwise. If the standard set allowed a monopolised, but a big area of request for permission to hold will be convenient to explain in $13 picul, the poorer grades tion of some looting no other dis- reasonably fair return on money, there would be no question of land bebind it, stretching up to joint civil and military investiga- some detail the paramount im- being rather less. To show turbances occurred. The rice was building being stopped. The whole trouble now is that altogether Kennedy Road and beyond, and tion would result in A more portance of the rice trade to the how sensitive the feeling unreasonable rates are charged by the landlords. The strange thing the best portions of Kowloon, are tangible step. Seeing that Mr. Coleny of Hongkong. Rice is was in other countries it may two days while being conveyed guarded by Military escorts for is that whilst His Excellency seemed to infer that rent control was denied uga by the civilian Pollock's proposal contained one uch the largest commodity be mentioned that on the 26th from the tags to the shops. In atterly impossible, the Colonial Secretary actually mentioned a case population. The congestion pre- impossible particular, we can ex- dealt with in the trade June a telegram was received Victoria looting on а rather in which the Government is exercising such control. We refer to railing in other parts of the City press no surprise or regret that it returne and
a large number from H.M. Minister at Tokyo the advance made made to the Humphreya' Estate Company by the is in great and unfavourable con- wasrejected, but we most sincerely of ships is employed in bringing stating that the Japanese Minis-serious scale took place for about a week, and it became necessary Government for the erection of new flats, there being a stipulation trast to the prodigal emptiness of hope that the Government will it to the Colony and in carrying ter at Bangkok reported that tran-to start the Government sales of laid down that the rents to be charged must not exceed eight the majority of the military land, make representations to the Home it away after it has been dealt shipment of rice at Hongkong rice before the organisation was per cent. on the capital expenditure so long as the money is owing, and whilst the present military authorities concerned,pointing out with. The handling of the car was to be prohibited shortly and to the Government. That shows that rents ran be controlled, anthorities can in no wise be the desirability of an early move. goes both at the ships and on enquiring whether the report was
It will be convenient to deat doesn't it? Frankly, we cannot see that there is anything extra-blamed for this state of affairs, There is always a danger that shore gives employment to a correct. An assurance was given
now with other measures taken ordinarily difficult about evolving a scheme of rent control. The there is. contained in what when such a matter is referred large portion of the floating immediately that it was not in-
to obtain supplies of rice. Government at present fixes the rateable value of houses. Surely one sees to-day a censure Home, a studied procrastination population as well as to a large tended to prohibit transhipment The July crop in the New It would be possible to work from that basis, after making due
The of rice at Hongkong. At the same Territories was a good one, and.. on the foresight of those ensues, and, on this question, that number of the coolie class. allowance for depreciation. It is a favourite argument with some responsible for the apportioning is the last thing wanted. It is companies and individuals who time, acting on the report above in order to ensure that the rige property-owning companies that they do not pay more than seven out of the lard in the Colony's this that Mr. Pollock apparently own godowns also derive great quoted, a Japanese firm was did not go into Kuangtung, alt or eight per cent. in dividends, and therefore they cannot be early days. Room for develop feare. One way of backing up the benefit from the storage of the about to make arrangement to
export except to Hongkong was profiteering. But that ie not the point. It is not a question of ment is very urgently needed, and demand would be for the Chamber rice while in course of prepara- divert two ships loading in Saigon prohibited, and it was notified that what reture a Company makes to its shareholders. That may very the day has come when the quee of Commerce to memorialise the tion for export. For the year so that they would proceed to the Government would be prepar- well be influenced by the good or bad management, as the case tion of providing other quarters the Government if it has not 1918 the value of the rice im. Japan direct without calling at ed to buy rice at $10.14 a pleul. may be. What would be far more to the point would be to know for the military, and also, one already done so, such memorial ported
than Hongkong. This was averted. what actual returns landlords get from tenants on a given block might add, for
It was obvious that with a view New Territories to export-their It has been the custom for the the Naval being remitted Home together £12,904,321, while the exports for of property. Conceivably, the tenants may be paying abnormally Yard, should be boldly tackled. with Mr. Pollock's defeated the same period were valued at to controlling the price and pre-rice and bay cheaper rice in high rents just to feather the nests of the landlords, whilst the poor Unquestionably, there is
trade immediate a motion. It was assuring to learn £11,608,509.
serving the shareholder wonders where the money is going. It is a thousand very heavy expenditure of that the local Government is in As has been often pointed out, action was necessary, and after Hongkong for their own use. In the abnormal conditions prevailing pitice that the whole housing question from A to Z was not long public money involved, but the sympathly with the principle of the Colony of Hongkong is in the some discussion it was decided this year this practice had to be ago considered by a Commission, which would have been able to benefits that would accrue would the proposal, and that an effort unique position among the great to call a meeting of the principal abandoned. get at the facts as to way building is so expensive here. But the most be well worth the expense. On in to be made to set something in ports of the Empire of producing employers of labour to consider
An endeavour was made to pressing need now is that the Government should institute a measure the method that would be best to action. The whole of the com- practically no raw materials, but the whole question. of rent control so as to protect the public from being mercilessly adopt there is a difference of mercial community will
be on the other band of possessing in meetings it was decided that obtain rice from Kuangtang, and squeezed by property-owners.
(Continued on Pave 6.) opinion. Mr. Pollock thinks the ap-wishing the Government success. lits geographical situation and in the only feasible course was
Пав Do less
After two
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