- C 15
The cigarette making industry (controlled by the Canton Nanyang Bros.) has been busy throughout the year. Owing to the boycott of British cigarettes (products of the B.A.T. Co.), there has been an increased demand for the Nanyang Bros. cigarettes. During the general exodus from the Colony the Canton Nanyang Bros. lost 400 of their workers: these have been replaced and an additional 300 taken on to cope with the increased business. Overtime has been worked since the outbreak of the strike and extra pay given to meet the increased cost of living. Ships were chartered to carry the goods of this factory to those ports where the boycott was in force: but this has been discontinued owing to the increasing demands for "taxes" made by the strike pickets. The local factory now confines itself to trading with the Straits Settlements and the Dutch East Indies. Canton and Swatow are supplied from the Shanghai factory.
Dangerous Trades.-Glass factories. There are 29 glass factories, 18 being in Hongkong and 11 in Kowloon. These have suffered in common with all others owing to slackness of trade. One of the largest, the Ma Yuk San Co. closed down during the year, although this was not directly attributable to the strike. A remarkable feature of this industry is the large proportion of youths employed. Although boys under 15 are not allowed to work in glass factories, there are very few adult workers, the majority being youths between 15 and 20 years of age.
Boiler-Chipping.-Frequent visits were paid to all ship-building and engineering yards to ensure that boys under 15 are not employed at this work. There is a temptation to use small boys when cleaning out the boilers of steam-launches and small ships. On one occasion it was found that boys were being smuggled at night into the Taikoo Dockyard for this work, the contractor taking advantage of the European gate-keeper being off duty. Steps were taken to prevent a repetition of this and no further trouble was experienced.
Fireworks. There is only one factory in the Colony engaged in the manufacture of fireworks and crackers. This is a well-built modern place, situated on the Kowloon City Road. No children are employed there.
1.Out-door Labour.-Children carrying bricks, coal etc. Constant visits were paid to all building sites and water side loading dumps. Isolated cases of children helping their mothers were met with, but the practice of contractors employing children for this work has now almost ceased, although liable to start again if supervision were withdrawn.