THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL
Mr. Ross THOMSON-I think we do not quite understand each other in regard to the word clerical. I mean that the work had to be done sitting at a desk.
H.E. that.
THE GOVERNOR-I
understand
Mr. Ross THOMSON My own work is purely clerical.
Mr. Stabb's is purely clerical used in the sense that it is used,
H.E. THE GOVERNOR-So is mine.
Mr. Ross TROMBON-It simply means sedentary work.
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H.E. THE GOVERNOR-The pre-war staff of the China Sugar Refinery depart ment was five Europeans and it 18 DOW three Europeans Jadies
with three engaged since the war put it to you that by increasing the number of these ladies and drawing upon the substitution list, which is an extra- ordinarily strong one, it would be a very easy matter to find a substitute for this 25 year old, eight year experienced Mr Bawlinson. I understand you have not tried to get substitutes because it in- volves communication with the Head Office.
Mr. Rosa THOMSON--It involves a num ber of things.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR There is another question I would like to put to you. Is it not a fact that one of your what we might call senior staff is about to go on leave t
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transfers have to be made in the business from one port to another. These trans- fers are arranged between August and November in the previous year and are usually carried out in the Spring. It
then arranged that Mr. Fisher should go to take up certain duties in the Shanghai office. Mr. Taylor, who was at Home on leave, was to come out in the Spring to take up the position Mr. Fisher held here. He was delayed by iliness and only arrived a week ago. He takes Mr. Fisher's duties, and Mr. Fisher was at once to go to Shanghai to take up duties there, but in the meantime our agent in Swatow has broken down and has to leave the port. Mr. Fisher is to go temporarily to Swatow to relieve the agent there and upon the agent's return Mr. Fisher will proceed to Shanghai. That is the position with regard to Mr. Fisher.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR-What you have said shows the vast difference between Mr. Taylor's importance to the firm and this young man's whose case we are now considering. I can well understand the Ministry of Shipping facilitating the granting of passports to a man of 35 years of age and who may be described as one of your senior staff. But I am as certain as I am that I am sitting hero that if it had been a question of obtain- ing passports for any of these young only other remark that I have to make men they would not have got them. The is that it was extremely interesting to hear your valuable statement of your case, but, although more detailed, it does not really contain any essentials that were not before the Tribunal, and the
Mr. Ross THOMSON-I am not aware of Tribunal, at the request of the Chamber anyone about to go on leave.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR-I do not wish to mention names. Is there anyone on leave at present t
Mr. Ross THOMSON-Not that I know, in addition to Mr. Edkins and Mr. Nuttall.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR-Perhaps the third member is going on transfer somewhere eise.
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of Commerce, who asked for this con- seription, has upon it no less than six experienced business men, men who know thoroughly, or who are supposed to know thoroughly the ins and outs of all sorts of business in this Colony. And yet these six men, with unanimity, decided that these three young men could be spared without any exemption whatever. I would add to that that unfortunately we had not tonnage to take the people who were enrolled straight away to their destination, but as far as India is con- cerned to which some of these men will
Mr. Ross TROMSON-Do you refer to Mr. Fisher Ee is going. Mr. Taylor have to go there will probably be a con- has come out to relieve him. Certain siderable interval before they leave this
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