C 21
was no real general grievance, and that the strike was engineered by agitators who put their own curious interpretation on the revolutionary doctrine of "independence" and wished to show the power of their guild: and they seized on the opportunity offered by the small trouble already mentioned. All the printing business in the Colony was affected for several weeks: the Chinese presses had to close down entirely for want of hands but the European concerns by dint of great efforts on the part of their foreign staffs continued their work and showed that the assistance of the strikers was not indispensable to them. Finally there was a general resumption of work—in a few cases on rather better terms, but generally on the same conditions as before: while a few of the more troublesome men lost their appointments altogether. The two leading agitators were banished during the course of the strike—as being mainly responsible for the use of intimidation—and the resumption was somewhat delayed by the men's demand that they should be pardoned before work could be resumed. The demand was not granted and the main result of the strike has been seriously to weaken the power of the guild.
In June the increased cost of living led to an application by the shipwrights of the dockyards at Hunghom for an increase in wages, and on their demands being refused by the masters, a general strike of shipwrights in Kowloon and Victoria followed. The masters at first refused any compromise and though they were eventually persuaded by Messrs. Wei Yuk and Fung Wa-chun to meet the men's representatives, no settlement was reached, and the strikers were locked out. At the end of July, however, the masters finding their new hands unsuitable, gave in to the men's demands.
This strike was closely connected with a strike among the shipyard carpenters at Aberdeen, where the arrest of two agitators led to a general strike. The dispute between masters and men was, however, soon compromised.
There was also a short strike of the members of the blackwood workmen's guild, who demanded more favourable terms from their masters, to which the latter eventually assented.
Owing to the prevailing unrest in China and bad harvests in many Provinces, the price of rice rose to abnormally high figures during the year; several large rice-shops were accused of attempting to corner the supply and measures were under consideration by the Government to secure a sufficient supply at proper rates for the Colony. The arrival of supplies from Bangkok and Siam relieved the tension before further steps were necessary.
A permit was granted for special theatrical performances in aid of the distress caused by the floods in the Swatow districts.
C 21
was no real general grievance, and that the strike was engineered by agitators who put their own curious interpretation on the revolu- tionary doctrine of "independence" and wished to show the power of their guild: and they seized on the opportunity offered by the small trouble already mentioned. All the printing business in the Colony was affected for several weeks: the Chinese presses had to close down entirely for want of hands but the European concerns by dint of great efforts on the part of their foreign staffs continued their work and showed that the assistance of the strikers was not indispensable to them. Finally there was a general resumption of work-in a few cases on rather better terms, but generally on the same conditions as before: while a few of the more trouble- some men lost their appointments altogether. The two leading agitators were banished during the course of the strike-as being mainly responsible for the use of intimidation-and the resumption was somewhat delayed by the men's demand that they should be pardoned before work could be resumed. The demand was not granted and the main result of the strike has been seriously to weaken the power of the guild.
In June the increased cost of living led to an application by the shipwrights of the dockyards at Hunghow for an increase in wages, and on their demands being refused by the masters, a general strike of shipwrights in Kowloon and Victoria followed. The masters at first refused any compromise and though they were eventually persuaded by Messrs. Wei Yuk and
Fung Wa-chun to meet the men's representatives, no settlement was reached, and the strikers were locked out. At the end of July, however, the masters finding their new hands unsuitable, gave in to the men's demands.
This strike was closely connected with a strike among the shipyard carpenters at Aplichow, where the arrest of two agitators led to a general strike. The dispute between masters and men was, however, soon compromised.
There was also a short strike of the members of the black- wood workmen's guild, who demanded more favourable terms from their masters, to which the latter eventually assented.
Owing to the prevailing unrest in China and bad harvests in many Provinces, the price of rice rose to abnormally high figures during the year; several large rice-shops were accused of attempt- ing to corner the supply and measures were under consideration by the Government to secure a sufficient supply at proper rates for the Colony. The arrival of supplies from Bangkok and Siam relieved the tension before furthur steps were necessary.
A permit was granted for special theatrical performances in aid of the distress caused by the floods in the Swatow districts.
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