The Agents and consignees, representing absentee shipowners and merchants in England and Scotland, are said to be opposed to such restriction. They do not represent in any way either the general public of Hong Kong or the opinions of their own people on this matter; but rather the interests of those who would not dare to do at home what they compel their officers to do at Hong Kong.
The restrictions prayed for could do no harm to Hong Kong, as there is no lack of other ports in the China Seas to which ships could resort. Nor could such restrictions injure shipowners or merchants; they would simply oblige their steam ships, which are the chief offenders, to arrive at Hong Kong at the beginning of the week instead of on Saturday or Sunday.
Seamen, such as those at Bombay, have worked well under similar restrictions for eight years. The standing order No. 1802 of 23 August 1882, merely altering the currency from "Rupees" to "dollars", runs thus: "Sunday working on board Steamers in the harbour shall not be permitted on payment, in addition to the ordinary fees at present levied, of a fee equal to a day's demurrage, subject to a minimum charge of 50 dollars and a maximum charge of 200 dollars, for each ship on board which work is carried on. Demurrage for this purpose to be calculated at the rate of 64 annas per ton of registered tonnage".
Voluntary action on the part of some Shipowners would...
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