C 7
7-
Persons and Children Amendment Ordinance, No. 24 of 1929. This marks a further step forward in factory legislation in this Colony. Under this Ordinance the list of Dangerous Trades is extended to include the manufacture of vermillion and lead processes (white lead). This Ordinance also prohibits the employment of women and young persons in any factory or industrial undertaking at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The total number of accidents in factories reported during the year was 86 (8 fatal) as against 59 (7 fatal) for the preceding year.
LABOUR.
29. The year was marked by an almost complete absence of trouble in the labour world. Records kept during the past two years show that except in the case of beef and mutton the cost of the bare necessities of life has not appreciably risen during that period. At the same time trade generally has been dull and the competition for employment keen while the labour unions are still suffering from the depression which followed the communist coup at Canton in December 1927. Most of the unions reached the height of their power while communism was on the ascendancy in the province and adopted the new creed with fervour; when disillusionment came they were left with discredited leaders and empty purses. In very few instances indeed were the integrity and ability of the union officials equal to their task and the decline of their influence seems to have come about unregretted.
An attempt made during August and September by delegates of a communist group in Shanghai to establish in the Colony a federation of labour unions failed signally to secure the support of the local association and when after some two months subterranean activity the organisers were rounded up while holding a secret meeting with some fifty of their followers, it was found that apart from the ringleaders themselves no one of the smallest consequence was present. Many indeed were unemployed persons who had received small sums of money to secure their attendance.
TEMPLES.
(Table XXII).
30. The following gentlemen served on the Chinese Temples Committee during the year:-
(a) Hon. Sir Shouson Chow, Kt., Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., Hon. Dr. S. W. Tso, O.B.E.,-- Chinese members of the Legislative Council.
(b) Mr. Lei Yau Tsun, C.B.E., - Representative of the District Watch Committee.