C 16
New Industries.-It is worthy of note that in spite of the general depression of trade an important new industry has been established in the Colony during the past year. Two factories, one at Sham Shui Po and one at Shaukiwan, have commenced to manufacture rubber soles for Chinese shoes. Heavy and costly plant has been installed and these factories should form a valuable addition to the list of the Colony's industries.
Accidents in Factories.-The number of accidents in factories during the year, although not serious, is regrettable as most of them could have been prevented by proper safeguarding of machinery and belting. A certain amount of safeguarding has been carried out as the result of propaganda, but no real advance can be made without legislation. The draft of an Ordinance embodying the more important provisions of the home Acts has been compiled with great care and will be submitted to the legislature when the "General Strike" ceases to exist in name as it has long since ceased in fact.
LABOUR.
From January to March, labour conditions were quiet on the surface. The only strike worthy of notice was that of the Oil Can Makers, who, in addition to demanding an increase of 30% wages, also required the masters to contribute 1 cent on every oil can made to their guild funds (The Luen Fuk Union). The strike, which lasted from February to May and was not unaccompanied by violence and intimidation, was finally broken by the engagement of new hands from Canton and Macao.
From April onwards, reports of violent and inflammatory speeches were received almost daily, the texts being the oppression of China and China's labouring masses by the "Imperialism" and "capitalism" of the foreigner and his "hunting dogs", the "compradore" class, and the general colour being "Red" of the hue associated with the "Third International". The Hoi Yuen (Seamen's Union) and the Head Labour Union (Association of Labour Unions) took a very prominent part in this agitation.
Early in the month of June, labour representatives from Canton and a few from Shanghai were addressing labour organisations in the Colony with a view to obtaining their co-operation and participation in an anti-British movement to take the form of a general strike and boycott as a protest against the Shanghai "incident".
The wilder elements in labour—and no less in student circles—were clearly determined on trouble. For the time being, however, they were restrained by the fact that their refuge, Canton, was in the hands of a combination of Yunnanese and Kwongsi troops. Early in June, these forces were expelled by the
C 16
New Industries.-It is worthy of note that in spite of the general depression of trade an important new industry has been established in the Colony during the past year. Two factories, one at Sham Shui Po and one at Shaukiwan have commenced to manufacture rubber soles for Chinese shoes. Heavy and costly plant has been installed and these factories should form a valuable addition to the list of the Colony's industries.
Accidents in Factories.-The number of accidents in factories during the year although not serious is regrettable as most of them could have been prevented by proper safe- guarding of machinery and belting. A certain amount of safe. guarding has been carried out as the result of propaganda, but no real advance can be made without legislation. The draft of an Ordinance embodying the more important provisions of the home Acts has been compiled with great care and will be submitted to the legislature when the "General Strike" ceases to exist in name as it has long since ceased in fact.
LABOUR.
From January to March labour conditions were quiet on the surface. The only strike worthy of notice was that of the Oil Can Makers, who in addition to demanding an increase of 30% wages also required the masters to contribute 1 cent on every oil can made to their guild funds, (The Luen Fuk Union). The strike which lasted from February to May and was not unaccom- panied by violence and intimidation was finally broken by the engagement of new hands from Canton and Macao.
From April onwards reports of violent and inflammatory speeches were received almost daily, the texts being the oppres- sion of China and China's labouring masses by the "Im- perialism" and "capitalism" of the foreigner and his "hunting dogs", the "compradore" class and the general colour being "Red" of the hue associated with the "Third International' The Hoi Yuen (Seamen's Union) and the Head Labour Union (Association of Labour Unions) took a very prominent part in this agitation.
or-
Early in the month of June labour representatives from Canton and a few from Shanghai were addressing labour, ganisations in the Colony with a view to obtaining their co- operation and participation in an anti-British movement to take the form of a general strike and boycott as a protest against the Shanghai "incident".
The wilder elements in labour-and no less in studeni- circles were clearly determined on trouble. For the time being, however, they were restrained by the fact that their refuge, Canton, was in the hands of a combination of Yunnanese and Kwongsi troops. Early in June these forces were expelled by the
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