C 15
One company is experimenting with a mechanical glass blower which is said to give results superior to those obtained by the ordinary methods, but the initial cost is high.
On no occasion was any child found to be employed in any of these factories. Similarly, in workshops where boiler chipping is carried on, no case of child employment was discovered.
Fire-works manufacture is another industry in which the employment of children is prohibited. There is only one firm in the Colony which makes fire-works, and its factory is a large, roomy building with safety appliances. No children are employed there.
The question of accidents in factories has been engaging the attention of the Government, and legislation was under consideration at the end of the year with a view to the compulsory provision of safety guards and the fencing of exposed machinery. In the large factories, a certain measure of success has already been obtained in this direction, but the smaller factories provide a problem which points to the necessity of legislation.
64. The allocation of the Annual Grant of $25,000 to Local Chinese Charities was the same as last year, viz:-
Kwong Wa Hospital, $15,000 Shaukiwan Chinese Public Dispensary, 5,000 Shamshuipo Chinese Public Dispensary, 3,000 Kowloon City Chinese Public Dispensary, ... 2,000 $25,000LABOUR.
A list is given below of trades in which dispute arose during 1924 calling for investigation by this department. With the exception of the moulders' strike, there was no unusual difficulty in reaching a settlement, although in every case there was a certain amount of intimidation, and it was necessary to give District Watch protection.
The moulders' strike was a more difficult affair, affecting as it did all European dock-yards, including the Naval Yard, as well as all the Chinese yards and foundries. After nearly 3 months, the Chinese owners reached a compromise with the men; and before 4 months had elapsed, work was resumed at the European yards also, the demands of the men being dropped. It should be said that the employers showed the greatest readiness to examine the question of moulders' rates of pay and their ability or otherwise to pay more in view of competition outside Hongkong; and the European owners maintained, and based their argument on careful...