The Mercantile Marine Service
Service Association
0.270
Hong Kong Telegraph 19/11/90
A National Digrace!
E SUNDAY LABOUR QUESTION.
AN APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.
Excellency the Acting Governor received
e British Morcantile Marine Officers'
steamers it was equally without reasonable basin, for ocean steamers became coasters, almost with. out exception, as soon as they touched Hongkongi for they usually called in at Swatow, Amoy and Foochow en route to Shanghai; and often called at Foochow and Swatow their way home from the Far East.
On
It was
tion at Government House yesterday (palpably an insult for the Chamber to instruct
tion on the question of unnecessary labour on board ships in this port. The tion which was received, in the first ce, by Lieut. Thorburn, A D.C., and which subsequently introduced to His Excellency, Hen. F. Fleming, C.M.G, by the Hon. retary, consisted of Captain S. Ashton, M. Deane, C. M. G. Acting Colonial
oftary) and Messrs. J. W. James, J. W. Gale, NA, (President) Mr. Chesney Duncan (bon.
Incorporated by Special Act of Parliament for conserving the interests of the British Merchant Servis, and promoting the general improvement of nautical men by education, wholesome laws, obtaining redress
wrongs, procuring employment and caring for the helpless and aged, and by every possible means seeking the welfare of the Service, S, &%
imes Pearce, W. Winch (officers) and James
wards (hon, treasurer),
Annual Subscription---Commanders, One Guinea; Officers, Half a Guinea; Associates, Two Guineas; nting it the honour of an interview which
"Reporter" Three Shillings, and Postage One Shilling per Annum.
KARL OF HARROWEY.
Honorary
Members.
ADMIRAL HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, N., K.G. K.T., G.C.E.
LORD CLAUD J, HAMILTON,
LORD BRASSEY, KCE.
HON. W. A. CROSS, M.P.
M. W. MATTINSON, ESQ., M.P.
CAPTAIN SIR JAMES ANDERSON,
SIR E. BATES, BART, M.P.
PROFESSOR SIR WILLIAM THOMSON, LL.D., F.e.s.
WM. RATURONR, ESQ, M.P.
DAVID MACIVER, ESQ
EDWARD WHITLEY, ESQ., M.P.
SAMUEL, SMITR, ES, ME.
RALPH NEVILLE, E8Q, Q.C., M P.
TROS. B. ROYDEŃ, 184, M.P.
BARON H DE WORMS, M.P.
African Stern Ship Company Aspinal, J, Son & Brooke Balfour, Williamson & Co. Baring Brothers
Batea, Stokes & Co.
Bibby, James J., Esq.
Brocklebank, Sir Thomas
Brocklebank, Ralph, Jun, Es.
Bushell Bros. &.
Cearns & Brown
Cary, John, Esq., J., Certif
Cory, Aldermi 3., Cardia
Coteaworth, Igue & Co.
Cross, J. T., Baq
Dixon, W. H, Esq.
Dixon, W. T., & Sone
Eusington & Co
Farnworth and Jardine
Gibbs, Bright & Co. Graham, Rows & Co Gruning & Co.
To serve Three Years.
Brooks,,, Capt. Burton, G. Capt. Campbell, H., Capt. Clarke, Janno, Capt.
Gales, James, Capt.
Hill, William, Capt.
Hamil, Martia f., Capt.
Hatfield, B., Capt.
Hayes, H. W., Capi
Killy, C. J., Lapt
Lewis, A. W. Capt., Murray, 6. S., Capt. MeBay, Horatio, Capt.
Nowell, S., Upt
Ritchie. Joseph, Capt.
Royden, T. B., B., M.P.
Suumier, Janges, Capt.
Watt, H. F., Capt.
Webster, J. K., Capt. Williamson, John, Esq.
W. F. LAWRENCE, ESQ., M.P.
SIR G. BADEN-POWELL, ESQ., MP
T. P. O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P.
RALPH BROCKLEBANK, ESQ. J.I.
JAMES BEAZLEY, ESQ., J.P.
1. 1. MAY, ESQ., J.P.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MERSEY DOCKS AND HAR
BOARD
Captain Ashton said that the deputation felt ost deeply grateful to His Excellency for sought owing to the strong feeling amongst Atish officers that there should be a sation of labour on board ship in this Lord Sunday. Having studied *t on msford's speech on the subject, made in the ause of Lords on the 25th of July last, the ssociation came to the conclusion that the best ay of causing much needed legislation on the bject was to move the Chamber of Commerce recommend Government to introduce a Bill hich would cause the cessation of unnecessary unday labour. With that object in view the sociation discussed the question at length with ie Committee of the Chamber of Commerce at a Bblic conference held at the City Hall on the 7th ultimo. Full reports of the arguments occasion together with the Rhomber's written decision, dated the 31st of
Ictober, had doubtless
within Hia Excellency's cognisance.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIVERPOOL STEAM SHIP OWSEd on that
ASSOCIATION,
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE CRAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL MARINE BOARD, CAPTAIN HENRY TOYNBER FR.A.S., TR.GS. WILLIAM GLIFT, ESQ. J.P.
Sonorary Council.
tutuston, Zoos & Co.
Jaumer, Thours, Esy. Harrison, Thonies, & Co. Herron, John, & Co. Helder, Thos., Esy. Hornby, H. &
Guves. W. A., Lay.
Horatali, Charles, & Sois
Holder, Broa. & Co.
Hetton & Cookson
B & Sons. Charles, Bristol
Itoit, Alfred, Esq.
Gols, Philip f.,
Ismay, Intre a Co,
Hill, Gomea & Co, Manchester.
Jacques, Jas, kay., Whitehaven
Jolasan, Edward, & Co.
Johnston, William, Esq.
Kees, W., & Co.
Laird Brothers
Lampert & ftoit
Executive
Captalo T. VINCENT,
I'vesident
CLARKE ASPINALL, Esq., Trauerer.
Littledale, T. & 1., & Co. Lyon, Comper & Co. Lockets, John, Bay. Mackie & Song
Melones, John, Esq.
Aselver, Charles, s
Maciver, Henry, Esq.,
Morland, Sir Henry, Bombay
loss, Charles, & Ve
Myers, W. J. Bon, & Co.
Muck, W, D., Esq.
National Steam Ship Co., Lindt
Nixon & Thew
Nickels, J. T., & Co.
North, Colonel J. T.
L'aoine Steam Navigation Co.
Puole, Sir James
Petley, Capt. E. W., Lient. R. N.,
Calcutta
Poulson, William, E
Council.
To serve Treo Year, Anderson, B., Capt. Archer, C., Capt Brener, A. W. Capt.
Betts, f. E., Capt
Durrant, T., Capt. Foster, . H., Capt. Givon, J., Cept.
Grant, C. C., Capt.
Hughes, E. M., Capt.
Ismay, T. B.. K.; J.).
Kenney, J. G., Capt.
Purdy, T., Capt.
Price, Janiea, Capt.
Rowe, T. Y., Caps.
Sibthorpe, C. A, Capt.
Splatt, W., Capt
Thompson, 3. S., Capt. Fince, T. Capt. Ward, John, Capt. Watson, Robert, Capt.
Rusz. W. H., & 15. Raukin, Gilmour, & Cu. Rathbone Brothers & Co. Rathbone, Martin & Co. Richardson, Spesce & Co. Sandbach, Time & Co. Shaheroes & Higham
come
His Excellency-Yes, and your reply to the 'hamber's letter has also been read by me.
Captain Ashton continuing-He was very glad think that His Excellency bad taken notice f the movement which, he submitted, was a ighteous, and justifiable movement, and a protest gainst moral slavery. He could well under- tand that the Committee of the Chamber was emporarily mesmerized by its surroundings, thich were heathenish, and that therefore hey looked at the situation through somewhat lim glasses. But whether that were so or not le contended that the reply of the Chamber was
Sharples, Henry, Son, injustifiable in the circumstances, and it was an
Atelir, A., Bay.
farbett, Willia, & sous Thompson, Anderson & Co. Turner, Alfred, Esq.
Mellurne, Victoria
To serve, One Year, Aspinall, C., Eaq. Brown, R. J., Câști Cliff, W., Esq. CS, A., E Drening, H. B, cap. Gloriam, A., Capt
Haus, W. B. 1. Capt. Johnston, William, 84.
means
pealt to officers. It was perfectly well known to ipowners here that no individual officer was Victorlua Stevedoring Co. te ndependent enough to take the consequences of making personal (individual) application for Wood, J. M.. bay, Williamson, Milligan & Co.
kemption from duty on the Sabbath. The Whitwill, Mark, Bay, Brisiui proposition of the Chamber was impracti- West India & Pacitte 8.8, 0.ble in the extreme, and by no Weaver, J., Esq. Ward, G. 3., Esq.
imounted to a modus vivendi. The Chamber #rote. "The Committee are of opinion that the Government could not legislate for the complete ruppression of Sunday labour in this harbour, as the questions involved are very serious and hould affect injuriously all the shipping interests of the Colony, and particularly the large Chinese population connected therewith." The Govern- ment, he was convinced could legislate for the suppression of Sunday labour, it would aot" injuriously affect" all, or any, of the shipping interests of the Colony. As to the Chinese, he was aware that they always objected to any new law; innovations were detested by them so matter what their nature, A Sunday Observance jaw would not injuriously affect the Chinese, and it was preposterous for the Chamber to make
ach an assertion.
He was convinced the Chinese would warmly appreciate their Sunday's it was regrettable that the Chamber Should have seen fit to question, to virtually impeach the motives of Lord Knutsford. That important servant of Her Majesty had said, in as many words, that he would legislate were the Chamber of Commerce to recommend it; and now the Chamber committed itself to the statement :-" Indeed if such a recommendation was formulated the Committee are of opinion Government would not legislate." That then the annals of colonial history that a 2 very bold assertion, and it was the hist Chipper of Commerce had taken upon itsell to er for the Government on a question which
the masses.
The Association was ded that Lord Kauford meant what he d that the Comniuee's reply was utterly able. As to the distinction drawn by Chamber between ocean-going and coast
Keny, J. Capt.
Langlands, George A., Capt. Lapage, W. P. Capt.
Lecky, S. T. 5., Capt.
Leitch, Robert, Capt. Wain, Thomas, Capt. Peel, E. R., Capt.
Richardson, William, Capt. smith, W. H., Cupt.
Tobin, T. J., Capt.
Wade, T., Capt.
Wilkin, 8. J., Capt.
Captain M. D. HAMMIII., Vice-President.
Meners, COCHRAN & WALKER, A
J. J. GRYLLS, Bau, Secretary-
Messrs. HIL DICKINSON & CO., Messra WHITLEY & CO., and Mesra, THORNELY & CAMERON, Solicitors.
TELEPHONE No. 690.
rest.
British Officers that they must consider "Sunday labour on board ships in this port, as a mere incident of a voyage of four months! duration " They did not, and never would, consider it "a mere incidence;" but they did consider, and continued to do so, that the incidence was a scandal and disgrace, and a blot upon our boasted civilization. Hongkong instead of being a centre of light and civilization to our heathen neighbours was absolutely tha reverse. That was the "incident which was firmly implanted on the mind of British officera who were so unfortunate as to be in Hongkong on a Sunday--they were better off in the ports of China where owners had to pay heavy fees for permission from the Chinese Customs Authorities to work on the Sabbath, But this was
woist not the
phase of the Committee's dicium: Officers were told, "officers may, and frequently do, escape Sunday in this port." Instead of Hongkong, a British possession dearly bought with British blood and money, being a place of safety and protection for the stormi-tossed British mariner, he is instructed to consider himself fortunate if he "escane" being in Hongkong on Sunday, Escaped Hespurned the idea, and was confident that no Briton could be convinced that it was right for him to consider it a lucky escape were he never once, in a twelve-month, in Hongkong on Sunday. He trusted His Excellency would urge Her Majesty's Government to take steps to relieve the British Mercantils Marins Offices,
whose practice it was to follow three principles of loyalty, which were:-First, loyalty to their Sovereign, Defender of their Faith. Secondly. loyalty to their employers. Thirdly, loyalty to themselves. They had in years gone by proved their loyalty, to their Sovereign and to their owners, and now they came before His Excel- lency with all humility and is deep earn- estness to implore and beseech him to protect them from the continuance of an obnoxious custom (it was merely a custom, a relic of an evil past) which they felt to be a great hardship and an invasion of their rights as loyal subjects of the Queen.
His Excellency, in reply, said he was very glad to receive the depotation and to hear the views expressed by them on a question which wRS admittedly one of much importance, It was, he believed, admitted on all sides that it would be desirable to dimizish Sunday labour as carried on in this colony if such could possibly be done. The question then arose whether it should be interfered with, and if so by what means such Interference should he brought about. There were only two ways by which this could be done, one being by having recourse to compulsory legislation, the other by the voluntary co-opera- tion of those who were concerned in the shipping interests of the colony. As regards the question of compulsory legislation, the views of the Governor of Hongkong and the Governor of the Straits Settlements, as well as the conclusions which had been expressed by the Secretary of State, and which were stated by him in the House of Lords when answering a question in connection with this matter in July last, must necessarily be known to the members of the deputation. If even therefore he (His Excellency) entertained views different from those expressed by the Governors of Hongkong and the Straits Settle- ments, which he did not, it would not be for him to enter into that question. He admitted that he did not altogether agree with all the argu- ments which had been brought forward as proof that it was impossible to diminish Sunday labour in this colony. It was tree that the Chinese did not regard the Sunday in the same light as we did, and they would not unnaturally be disposed to work on that day if encouragement were given to them to do so. But this could scarcely
be said to be peculiar to the Chinese, inasmuch as in some other countries, where Sunday labour did not exist to the same extent that it did here, there would doubtless be found many who would be found ready to work on the seventh day in addition to the other six days of the week, if sufficient inducement offered to them to do so, As to the necessity of Sunday work, it could not be denied that there
were
L.M.
C. O.
2340
RECE
REG 2 FEB 91)
!