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# Chapter VIII.
WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING.
The depression in the smaller industries, which pay their employees on a piece-work basis or on a complicated system of a bonus on the yearly profits, appeared to have been improved owing to the beneficial effect of the falling exchange rate throughout the year. The improvement of conditions in the manufactories of electric torches and dry batteries, confectionery, cork and felt hats, rubber shoes and rubber knee-boots reported in 1935 has been maintained.
Other industries which have increased included the paper dyeing industry, many concerns having transferred to Hong Kong from South China due to the local facilities for obtaining raw materials; and the silk cloth printing, hurricane lamp manufactories and shoe making by machinery concerns.
Within the last few months there has been a marked increase in the shirt and pyjama making industry due to the large amount of artificial silk which is being imported into the Colony.
Signs of the renewal of activity in the knitting and weaving factories are apparent. The employment of female labour in these industries as well as in the torch, battery and rubber shoe factories has increased.
There is still a good deal of unemployment amongst the unskilled male workers, but the heavy industries, where skilled labour is demanded, have had a fairly good year.
Most of the factories are working full time. The working conditions are still improving and the majority of factories are now operating in fire-resisting buildings, having removed from their old tenements. There has been no trouble over wage disputes and dismissals.
The number of factories has increased. Sixty-four have closed down, but ninety-nine fresh factories were registered. The total number of registered workshops and factories in operation is now 541.
The cost of living as reflected in the commodities rice, fish, meat, vegetables, oil, tea, firewood, clothes and shoes appears to have remained much the same for the beginning of the year as in 1935, but an upward trend is noticeable towards the end of the year.
On two labour-food index figures taken for 1928-1933, the approximate percentage for 1936 rises from 75.3 in both cases in January 1936 to 80.9 and 91.8 respectively for December 1936.
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Chapter VIII.
·
WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING.
The depression in the smaller industries, which pay their employees on a piece-work basis or on a complicated system of a bonus on the yearly profits, appeared to have been improved owing to the beneficial effect of the falling exchange rate throughout the year. The improvement of conditions in the manufacturies of electric torches and dry batteries, confectionery, cork and felt hats, rubber shoes and rubber knee-boots reported in 1935 has been maintained.
Other industries which have increased included the paper. dyeing industry, many concerns having transferred to Hong Kong from South China due to the local facilities for obtaining raw materials; and the silk cloth printing, hurricane lamp manufac- turies and shoe making by machinery concerns.
Within the last few months there has been a marked increase in the shirt and pyjama making industry due to the large amount of artificial silk which is being imported into the Colony.
Signs of the renewal of activity in the knitting and weaving factories are apparent. The employment of female labour in these industries as well as in the torch, battery and rubber shoe factories has increased.
There is still a good deal of unemployment amongst the unskilled male workers, but the heavy industries, where skilled labour is demanded, have had a fairly good year.
Most of the factories are working full time. The working conditions are still improving and the majority of factories are now operating in fire-resisting buildings, having removed from their old tenements. There has been no trouble over wage dis- putes and dismissals.
The number of factories has increased. Sixty-four have closed down, but ninety-nine fresh factories were registered. The total number of registered workshops and factories in opera- tion is now 541.
The cost of living as reflected in the commodities rice, fish, meat, vegetables, oil, tea, firewood, clothes and shoes appears to have remained much the same for the beginning of the year as in 1935, but an upward trend is noticeable towards the end of the year.
On two labour-food index figures taken for 1928-1933, the approximate percentage for 1936 rises from 75.3 in both cases in January 1936 to 80.9 and 91.8 respectively for December
1936.
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