05
610
THE HONG KONG WEEKLY PRESS &
October 29, 1937
October 29, 1937
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
COOLIES REFUSE MALAYAN REVIEW
TO WORK LOCAL SHIP
Believed Cargo Was
For Japan
Under the impression that the cargo they were leading was in- tended to be shipped to Japan, over 60 cooles refused to work the ss. Hai Tan. The cargo comprised
L-ns of Kerosene and petrol walch were to be shipped to Swatow, Poo- cnow and Amoy.
It was learned that the Texas U1l, Co. Installation had engaged 120 coolles to load onto the Hai Tan, A commotion was caused among the 60 coolies who turned up when it was alleged that some- one had informed them that the cargoes were meant for Japan. On nearing the rumour the coolies im- mediately stopped work.
Another incident of a similar na- ture took place on Oct. 22 at Con- naught Road West on a junk where a number of coolies were unloading wolfram ore to be stored in a go- down. It was alleged that the ore was to be sent to Japan.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL
VISIT TO MACAO
His Excellency the officer Ad- ministering the Government, Mr. N. L. Smith, C.M.G., accompanied by his A.D.C., Capt. G. P. Rickcord, and private secretary, Mr. H. J. Crutt- well, paid an official visit to Macao on October 22.
They left shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday by the H.M.S. Falmouth, the Admiral's Yacht, and were seen off by the Portuguese Consul- General, Signor Alvaro Brilhante Laborinho, at Queen's Pler.
In Macao, they had luncheon at Government House with the Gov- ernor of Macao. After taking a motor drive around the Portuguese Colony, they left for Hong Kong by the Falmouth, arriving here at 7 p.m. in the evening.
The visit had no political signi- ficance and was suggested several months ago and approved by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Its postponement had been due to the situation in China but, as no such visit had been paid since 1933, the Secretary of State was anxious that this courtesy should, if possi- ble, not await the arrival of Sir Geoffry Northcote, the Governor- Designate of Hong Kong.
Trade Barriers
Trade barriers was touched upon at the half-yearly meeting of the Penang Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Jules Martin, who invariably takes an active share in the discussions at the meetings of the Chamber, followed his usual course on this occasion and made a sound contribution to the proceedings, comments the "Malaya Tribune." With his plea for freer trade and the abolition of all tariff barriers he is assured of ample sympathy, for there can be no doubt whatever that most of the ills to which the world is heir to to-day can be laid at the door of economic self-sufficiency. It has acted as a garotte on world trade and it gained in strength so much that Great Britain. the apostle of free trade, was herself forced to resort to tariffs for her own protection. That did not make matters in the wider aspect any better. But it cannot be concluded that Great Britain, in taking the action she did, was actuated by any motive other than self-preservation. As regards Mr. Martin's remarks, he was thinking of world trade and the stranglehold which economic nationalism has succeeded in locking upon it. There are already signs that the economic nationalists have discovered the vital flaw In their theory and there is a growing disposition to look upon free trade with a less prejudiced eye. But why consider world conditions when there are equally absurd conditions prevalling nearer home? There are the customs barriers in the Federated Malay States. Why not establish free trade on the mainland? It would be an excellent example to set the rest of the world.
A White Elephant
One of Malaya's white elephants, Prai, had its periodical out- ing last week at the half-yearly meeting of the Penang Chamber of Commerce. The pachyderm was trotted out for inspection by the chairman, Mr. T. C. Martine, and, after a not too favourable eye had been cast over its points, it was trotted back again. It will be re- called that the General Manager of the Federated Malay States Rail- ways, in his annual report for 1936, contradicted the assertion that the port of Prai was a white elephant. In one respect he was right. The port will never be entirely useless but it will never be the port that its creators dreamed it would be. It will never be a deep water port for ocean going steamers Mr. Martine subscribed to that view.
He did not, he said, propose to re-open a rather weather-beaten con- troversy as to the advantages of port development on the mainland but he did consider that the bulk of cargo at Prai or Penang must always be handled by lighters and any new improvement scheme should be designed with that idea to the fore. So there we have it. Prai is an excellent lighterage port and nothing more. In effect it is still a white elephant but not so white as some of its traducers try to make out. When the amount of money that has been sunk in that estuary in an endeavour to justify the opinions of those who believed in Prai as a deep water port is recalled, it is something to be thankful for that the future of the port is assured not on the grandiose lines originally visualised for it, but on a real utility basis. The only thing that rankles is that all this was seen and appreciated by not a few before the Prai wharves had got no further than plans on paper. As an offset to the irksome reminder of the many millions spent on its construction, there is always the consolation that Prai will eventually pay for its keep.
Welcome, Malaya
The decision of the Malayan Governments to book 5,000 square feet in the Colonial Pavilion of the Empire Exhibition, to be held in Glasgow next year. has afforded much satisfaction in Scottish busi- ness circles, and the hope is freely expressed that the display of Malayan exhibits will result in mutual trade benefits.
Welcoming Malaya to the Exhibition the Glasgow "News" in a short editorial says:-
"Your decision to book 5,000 square feet in the Colonial Pavilion is heartening to us in Glasgow, and will prove a wise departure for yourselves.
CHINA REVIEW
Pitiable Sights
"Unparalleled scenes of misery and destitution are being wit- nessed in the streets of Shanghal as a result of the hostilities, for hundreds of refugees are roaming the streets in the International Settlement and French Concession, sleeping in the open, begging for food, battered by the elements"
This is the description which ar eyewitness gives of the immense suffering of the civilian population in Shanghai from a war which 5 due to no fault of theirs. --
**
Being driven from their homes by the unwelcome visitation of bullets and shells, these refugees have now to live in concentration camps. Although eighty such camps have been established in the foreign areas, there is accommodation for a mere handful of the total figure. Meanwhile, the food problem grows more acute daily.
At present, unfortunate victims of war are only given rations, which do no more than keep them from abject starvation, and the police and volunteers are kept busy coping with food riots.
Further, the nsanitary conditions in the city are causing the health authorities much anxiety. Cases of cholera have been report- ed, and if the discase develops into an epidemic, against which all possible precautions are now being taken, the situation will be ren- dered most difficult.
Women Soldiers
The womenfolk in China are taking their full share of respon- sibility in the present Sino-Japanese conflict. Discarding lipsticks and eyebrow pencils, they have now taken active parts in the front lines, and have been engaged in militia duties in the rear. It is even said that some of them have actually seen service in some of the grimmest and bloodiest battles in Shanghai.
Throughout the country. girls are petitioning the Government for enrolment Into the women's flgting forces, but so far only those with previous military training have been drafted. But those who have been rejected are trying to make themselves useful in other ways such as bringing comforts and entertainment to the troops and doing Red Cross work in base hospitals behind the fighting lines.
At the same time, the Government is exercising the greatest of caution, because numerous traitors and spies are seeking to make army contacts. Consequently many volunteers are rejected unless they possess incontrovertible proofs of their patriotic motives.
The former Red Army, subsequently renamed the 8th Route Army, possesses a contingent of veteran women troops. They are mostly wives of regulars, and are reliably said to be remaining with the 8th Route Army. It will be recalled that two years ago, they captured an entire regiment of Szechuen provincial troops!
MALAYAN REVIEW (Continued)
"Over here, we know, too little of what you mean to the Empire with your vast production of rubber and tin, and your strategic im- portance in times of peace as in times of international strife.
"We are vague in our knowledge of the Federated and Un- federated States and the Straits Settlements, and their relation to Britain, so that anything you can do to educate us will be of mutual benefit.
"The Sino-Japanese war reminds us forcibly of the part that Singapore plays in protecting the arteries of Empire, and safe-guard- ing the life-blood of our peoples.
"You will enlighten us more fully and by happler methods,"
611
CHUNG SHAN SURGICAL UNIT
Personnel In North China
The
following corrected list of the personnel composing the Chung Shan Surgical Unit, was
from recently received
Nanking reading as follows:-
The Chung Shan Medical Unit, Nanking:-Patron and President: Dr. Sun Fo, President of the Legis- lative Yuan;
Board of Directors:--Dr. Wang Ching Wei (President of the Kuo- mintang); Dr. Wang Chung Hui (Minister of Foreign Affairs); Dr. J. Heng Liu (Minister of Health); Dr. Fu Ping Sheung (Member of
Dr. the Legislative Yuan);
Wu (Member Sheung Ying
of the Legislative Yuan); Mr. Ma Chiu Shun (Mayor of Nanking): Madame Sun Fo; Madame Wang Ching Wel; Madame Ma Chiu Shun: Mr. Aw Boon Haw; Mr. A. Morris; Prof. W. I. Gerrard;
Medical Head: Dr. Yik Wan. Doctors: Dr. S. C. Ho, Dr. Ying Wan, Dr. Li Ho Tin, Dr. Tze Ming Tsan, Dr. Lau Man Fong. Dr. Lam Lin.
Nurses:-Misses Pun Yuen Ching. Ng Yee Kun, Fung Man Fung. Hung Ching Chu, Wong Kei Tong. Kwok Yin Wa, Cheung Siu Ping. Yu Kim Man. Liu Po Ching. Ip Poo Ying, Kwok Shun
Tack. Rosetta Ling, Yu Wal Sheung. Chan Wai Fong, Ng Kam Ho, Chan Wai Han, Leung Fung Ha, Tang Fong Ling, Kwok Miu Chun, Leung Wal Fun, Lo So Wan, Lee Yuk Chun, Chan Sau Ying, and Leung Kim Wan.
Male-nurses:-Messrs. So Yat Sang. Leung Hang. Au Po Ming. Fan Chan Chung, Ng Pui Fun, Bank K. Yip, Li Fai Sing. Mo Kam Man, Wai Fu Kuen. Wong Kok Shui, Kwok Yuk Wing, and B. A. Hyder.
DONATIONS
The
Chairman of the Hong Kong Travel Association acknow- ledges with thanks the receipt of the following subscriptions to the Association for the period 1937- 1938:-
The Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall $15.00.
China Light & Power Co., Ltd. $100.00.
106