8
the seaman were, I am informed, of a minor nature
and the case was one which, elsewhere, could have
been dealt with summarily in a Police Court. Such
proceedings are, however, rare if not unheard of in
Canton when the Seamen's Union is involved.
I have, etc.
(Signed) Herbert Phillips.
Consul-General.
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9
COPY.
Enclosure in Canton despatch to Peking No. 98 of 3rd July 1935.
BUTTERFIELD AND SWIRE
HONG KONG, CHINA AND JAPAN.
CANTON 29th June, 1935.
sir,
With reference to the settlement of the incident
which occurred on our s.s. "Fatshan" on 27th May, resulting
in a dispute between the Boatmen's Guild and the Seamen's
Union, in which we suffered by the refusal of the former to
handle import cargo until 23rd June, we should like to
express our thanks to you for the valuable representations
made by you to the Chinese Authorities which materially
assisted us in bringing the matter to a conclusion. We now
send you a copy, with translation of the letter sent by us
to the Boatmen's Guild on 21st June, following direct
negotiations with Mr. Pang Cheuk Yum
vincial Tangpu.
) of the Pro-
We also enclose an artide from a local paper
dated 23rd June, with translation, reporting the settlement
and quoting what purports to be our letter to the Boatmen's
Guild referred to above.
The case being settled now s.s. "Fatshan" having
discharged cargo normally on two trips since we do not
propose to protest either to the Provincial Tangpu or the
Boatmen's Guild against the garbled version of our letter
issued by the press, but are passing these advices to you
as of possible use as a record..
Herbert Phillips Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E.
H.B.M's Consul-General
Canton.
We are,
etc.
per pro Butterfield and Swire
(Signed) W.F. Johnston.
ge 9
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COPY.
Sub-enclosure 1 in Enclosure in Canton despatch to Peking No. 98 of
3rd July 1935.
On 21st June 1935 a Chinese letter of which the
following is a translation was sent to the Lightermen's
Guild.
Messrs. Lightermen's Guild.
10
Dear Sirs,
With regard to the dispute on board s.s.
"Fatshan" on the 27th May between one of the crew
and one of your members who was injured, we were under
the impression that the matter was entirely between the
Chinese Seamen's Union and yourselves, therefore we did
not interfere.
Unfortunately, the matter was somewhat
misunderstood by both parties and customary work with
"Fatshan" was interfered with. Apart from the interest
of our business, we desire to maintain the friendly
relationship which has existed between our company and
your Guild for so many years.
Under these circumstances, and with the advice
of Mr. Pang of the Provincial Tangpu, seeing that your member has now fully recovered from his slight injury,
we enclose herewith a cheque for C$300 to cover the medical fee and other expenses of the injured man.
We hope that the friendship between us will
resume and that your members will be instructed to carry
on the work as usual, to our mutual benefit.
We have the honour to remain,
Yours truly,
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