1922-08-04 — Page 8

Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Export Co., ltd.

ELECTRICAL PLANT AND ACCESSORIES

OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS.

SOLE DISTRIBUTORS IN CHINA & HONGKONG. ARNHOLD BROTHERS & Co., Ltd.

1A, Chater Road.

SHIP REQUISITIONING.

(Continued from Page 4.)

9. In the Financial Statement for the month of February 1921 published in the Gazelle of the 27th May, 1921, under the beading "Liabilities" is the item Shipping Control Account $2,231,204.11."

10. The retention of the said sum by the Government is not warranted by any Act of Parlament, Ordinance, Order in Council, Royal Frerogative or other lawful authority.

HOTEL FLATS AND UNIVERSITY.

THE CHINA MAIL.

forthcoming many more will have to Luen Bing S. §. Co., Ltd.,

be laid up.

10. The result of the control caused

Li Koon Chun,

Managing Director.

a aubatantial financial loss in the onse Lai Hing 8. 8, Co., Ltd., of several of the controlled ships and the officially audited accounts show-

Li Kooo,

Managing Director.

ing this loss have been submitted to Chop of The Poshun 8. 8. Co., Ltd., the Hongkong Government and are as follows:

8.8. "Manapoun"....$42,989.07 8.8. "Castlefield"

8.8. "Brisbane".

19,134.44 89,017.54 8.8. "Pheumpenb"... 10.4g8.00 8.8. Telemachus" ... 36,319.02 8.8. "Esimon". 13,607.38

Pang Kok.aui,

Secretary. Wollowra S. 8. Co. Ltd...

By Attorney,

Flongkong.

B. T. Williamson,

Un Man Chuen,

By Attorney,

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4. 1922

DAIRY FARM NEWS.

DAIRY PRODUCE

FRESH MILK

also the following forms-Sterilized, Skimmed, Butter and Soured.

FRESH CREAM

Full Rich

learned Attorney-General's speech on the first roading of the Ordinance, not to spend this money as was origin ally intended on hotals, fats, universi- ties and other schemes but to money was not collected by the Gov redeem part of the war loan. The ernment for that purpos› and to stafe now that we will use this money in- stead of other money which would have been allocated to the redemp- tion of war loan in order to make it appear as if this money will in some way be connected with the war...is, I submit, window dressing. It does not alter the character of the goods at all if you re-arrange them in your win- dow in order to make them appear more attractive. The wrong that bas been done to these people remains. proportion of whose shareholders are tion from a speech by the presens have been reduced to very dire straite Referring the quotation in the peti- ment made profits and the owners Their ships were taken, the Govern- resident elsewhere than is the Colony: Officer Administering the Government, as a result of that and they do ask It appears to your Petitioners that Mr. Alabaster said: "The speech that, either they be given these THE DAIRY FARM, ICE & COLD STORAGE Co., Ltd. the Government of Hongkong are shows that after the war, in 1920, the moneys back, or else that they, at any fore the Calony has been deprived attempting to tax a small branch of Government was still retaining these rate, be allowed to prove their right to of what it urgently noods-hotel the community of this Colony for profits, made out of shipping control, the return of these moneys by notion accommodation and money which social improvements of indirect and that they were proposing to spend in the Courts. might have been advanced for the legislation, many of the contributors them on purposes in no way connect

'Phone 1500.

Courts, do not feel in a position to

spend any of those profits on the

proposia until the Courts have

finally dealt with the matter. There

purpose of building bousse when the scheme of building fate was given up. The University also has been deprived of a quarter of a million of dollars and education generally

of a sum of five lakhe of dollar-,"

ACTIONS COMMENCED,

13. Subsequently on the 25th 11. In these circumstances and as a sented to the case being postponed August, 1920, the Government con- test-case a statement of claim wantil the return of the then Acting filed on the 5th December, 1919, by Colonial Secretary-Mr. Fletcher the Ship Owners' Protection Associato the Colony. On the 6th June, tion through the owners of the Steam

1921, the Crown Solicitor by letter to bip "Wollowra " for the recovery your Petitioners' Solicitors stated that of $596,672 34, the profit retained by the condition of postponement until the Government in respect of the uee Mr. Fletcher's return was then still of that ship.

insisted on by the Government.

12. On the 19th day of January. 1920 the then fouourable the Colonial

Becretary, being aware that this was not an isolated claim but a test claim brought by ous only of your Petitioners to test the legality or otherwise of the

17. Your Petitioners deaird also to point out that the needs of the Government for housing and educa tion should be mat by what amounts to a special levy on certain small shipowning Companies, A Large

Lau Hi-Bam,

MR. ALABASTER'S SPEECH.

being entirely unconnected with the ed with the war." He continued: Colony of Hongkong.

COMMENT BY THE COLONIAL

SECRETARY.

On the first reading of the Bill the "UNJUST, INEQUITABLE UNFAIR." learned Attorney-General pointed 16. Your Petitionors desire to out that at the time when tha abips point out that the only commercial re first brought under control the The Colonial Secretary: I would and industrial interests in this Colony whole Empire was fighting for its ask permission to comment briefly on which were put under Government national existence. Many things had this petition, in ne sprit of hostility Control and whose profits were im- to be done for which no siriot legal to the petitioners, but simply to make the war were the shipping interests, occasion being urgent and the quodi matter. It may, perhaps, be most pounded by the Government daring justification could be found, the clear the Government's position in the whilst all other commercial and indus- tions new. trial interest including Docks and petitioners on that in that the monies Government's replies to the letters The comment of your simply explained by reading the Marine Insurance Companies, both which you now hold have not ben which appear in the petition. The of which made largo profits from used for the purpose of protecting our first is that of 11th April, 1916, iu shipping operated under Blue Book national existence. rates, were permitted to take and saking for damages, they are not

They are not which it is said :— retain their profits.

Baking for the monies you have spent, but they are asking to have back the monies you have left over and which they say you illegally took. The learned Attorney-General statel that the great majority of shipowners in the United Kingdom accepted the terms which the Government offered,

19. Your Potitioners desire to pro- test against couspetition tendered by the proposed Ordinance stating that the same is wholly inadequate.

20. Your Petitioners desire to fur ther point out that negotiations have

14. Your Petitioners learn that it is the intention of the Government to introduce & Bill into the Legislativa Council to prevent the recovery of the said moneys by your Petitioners, action of the Government of Hong. Separate actions have now been com- for some time past bean proceeding which were Blue Book rates. That kong, made the following statement menced in the Supreme Court of with the Government of Hongkong was not so. They were compelled to in the Legislativo Council (1920 Hongkong on behalf of all ships con- and a tentative proposal was made to accept those rates as the result of a

Hansard p. 8):

"With regard to the Europesa Community, I will deal fret with the proposal I laid down before the Council for building a hotel and flats in Kowloon We had money for the work, or thought we had, and things and reached the stage of architects being on the point of making preliminary plans, when the ow bera of vessels requisitioned under the local veheme

cerned.

your Petitioners which met with Your Petitioners' approval, but notwith. Bill passed through both Houses of standing such approval the flovern. Parliament carly in the war, and not ment have, after consulting the Un-y part of post-war legislation. The official Members of the Council, with

Attorney-Geceral also pointed out, drawn their proposal.

and he made a great point of this in the risk of any dangers to the ships his speech that the Government took

reply to that is this: that the Govern- due to the operations of war. Our ment very wisely insured our shipe with underwriters and paid. a8

15. Your Petitioners are aware that it is not ususzal after wars for Acts to be passed protecting persons who have acted in good faith-and-in-the- supposed execution of their duties from pains, penalties and punishment that the Bill be so modifed as to enve 21. Your Petitioners therefore arge for actions not warranted by out that the right of all your Petitioners to tut your Petitioners point out your Petitioners claims bave never secute their claims unimpaired in beea for damages but are merely for the Courts or in the alternative to distribute the aforesaid sum of

be the return of money standing to the $5,231,204.11 rateably amongst your Premiums, part of the profita that they

;

And your Petitioners will ever pray

The learn. d

BUTTER

Daisy, Dairymaid and Shamrock Brands,

CHEESE

Edam, Australian Cheddar American Stilton and Picnic.

gistered in the United Kingdom." The remuneration payable in re- pect of the latter class of vessel is, "it is understood, under discussion; but this Government is advised that the rate actually in force is appreciably lower than that now offered to your clients. In the circumstances this Government in precluded, by its instructions, from offering more favourable terms than those which bave been put before 1 you; but it will watch closely the progress of negotiations in the United Kingdom, in order that any concession made there may ba introduced also in the local i scheme."

reply we said:

"This Government will, however, closely watch the working of the re- quisition scheme, and I am to Assure you that the interests of the owners will receive ita sympathetic consideration."

"The owants have now had the advaut ge of considering the in- formation which was imparted by losses which they said would be in- The next paragraph discussed the the Assistant Colonial Beeretary atcurred under the scheme, and in our the meeting at the Sanitary Board Office held on the 28th March last, when they were it formed that the Government propose to pay tramp Blue Book ntes, as to

a third thereof at an exchange of 2. to the pound and as to the balance at the rate of exchange of the day of pay. ment, plus 2/8 per ton for Eastern April 19 and May 1. 1918 (reproduced We then received the letters of service, and 5 per cent, on the net in the petition). In the first we were profits in consideration of the asked among other things under what services of the owne.s in running legislative authority we were acting, the snips on behalf of the GovernWe replied on May 14 as followe

ment.

The owners instrust us they have also had a number of meetinga amongst them eles, at which the Government's proposals have been mort carefully considered and discussed.

"The owners have come to the conclusion that the remuneration offered by the Government is not only wholly inadequate but musi result in a heavy loss to the owners."

and in our reply we made it quite The use of the word "Government in this letter is somewhat equivocal,

Dated this Third day of August. fund if they would accept the war clear that it was the Imperial Go-

1922.

thought themselves that the credit of the Shipping Control Ac- Petitioners. For in its present form obtained by running our ships. We WAS do Tenson why the count which wore not required for; profits made under this scheme the purposes of the war and which the B) is in the opinion of your Feti- are not asking for the retum of those should be devoted to improvements were obtained by the use of their tieners unwarranted, unjust, inequita- premiums; we are only asking for the beneficial to the Colony, such as ships. They desire

ble and unfair and represents an at- money left over, respectfully providing hotel and housing accom-to point out that the afect

tempt to tax ships not registered in Attorney General stated that at one time the Government did offer this Colony. modation and aleo extending of the Bill it passed would facilities for education among the be to authorize the seizure in the year

of the collections from this requisition the Imperial Government the whole various classes of the community. 1922 at a time when shipping is de- They saw no reason why the money pressed and freights are low of the should be devoted to those purposes, moneys of British Companies who are

risk, and the Imperial Government but thought that the money should competing with alien companies which

refused to do so. Why? The Imperial Vernment and not the Hongkong Go come back into their own pockets. were enabled to build up Reserven

Government obviously did not wish vernment, which was responsible for I must leave the community of during the war, through not being Douglas Steamship Co., Ltd.

to accept responsibility for an act on reply, which was dated April 15th, this scheme. The Government's tbis Colony to judge which financially controlled. Your Feti For Moller and Co., (Hongkong), Ltd.. throughout its career, entirely illogical

which was

in its inception and

said:- ja the better way of dis tioners state that not only is shipping posing o profits, which may be depressed and freights low but that

and unjustified. The Government at Director, considered war profita, and which

Holler and Co. (Shanghai), risks than the Government did here, Home would have accepted no further would have gone at bome into the

Ltd. Imperial Exchequer. The Governships Castlefield" and "Mana For The

ships and paid the premiums out of for they would have insured their) ment in view of the action taken, pouri" have already been laid up and which may in time come before the unless some financial assistance is

the very large profits they made. It is now proposed, wo learn from the

Douglas Lapraik and Co.,

General Managers,

it is practically impossible to operate Agent for their ships at a profit. The Steam-

£

T. Orion,

Brisbane 8. 8. Co. Ltd., Carmichael and Clarke,

Managers.

PYRENE

MUSTARD & COMPANY,

Pyrene

TRADE MARK

EXTINGUISHER. Sole Listributors,

"You were informed at the meeting held on the 29th Merch that this Bovernment has definite instructions to ace that remanera. tion of colonial register vessels is not appreciably higher or lower than that of competing reseals re-

Gentlemen, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of April 19, and May 1. regarding the Hongkong Shipping Control Boheme, and at the same time to express regret that they have remained so long unanswered.

'

structions that the remuneration to

vonsels under the local scheme is to approximate to that paid to the larger and more important claw of vessels on the China Coast, which are ander the Imperial Liner Re- quisition Scheme. It would, in the opinion of this Government, be inadvisable to suggest that the two classes of vessels should be dealt with separately. As I have stated above representations have already been made to the Home Authorities on the question of remuneration.

5.It would eem that the owners, in pressing their request for a representative on the Shipping Control Committee, are under a mio. apprehension as to the functions of that Committee. The Committee have been chosen, as an indepen. dent body having so connection with the requisitioned ships to advise the Government on technical mattera in connection with the ships, the Government having no one in ita service who is conversant with the details of the shipping business. The Government is always ready to consider sympathe- tically any representations that the owners may wish to make; but it docs not consider that any useful purpoaa would be served by putting an owner on the Committee, The question of the employment of the ships for the needs of the Colony is one on which the Government is advised by the Vital Requirementa Committee, and Mr. H. P. White has been invited to accept a scat apon that body.

2. With regard to the question of remuneration to owners, this On the subject of remuneration our Government, as you are aware, is instructions from the Imperial Govern asting under the instructions of ment were quite definite. We made Excellency has made repre enta- change and the cost and age of thes His Majesty's Government. Hia representations about the rate of ex- tions by telegram on the subject. Tesscle which were between 27 and 43 3-As to the question of legal years old, but our instructions re- authority, the ships have been mained the same. We were to treat requisitioned on behalf of, and them on the same lines as the vessels under instructions from, His Ma. of the Indo-China o. and the China jeaty's Government, who have in. Navigation Co. With regard to the structed this Government to super-paint of the representation of the intend their management. In those owners on the Shipping Committee, of circumstances this Government which I was Chairman, there were two must refer you to His Majesty's Government on the point of legal authority for the requisitioning.

4. With regard to the request for a local Board of Arbitration. this Government has definite in

members, Mr. Sutherland, of Messrs. Jadine, Matheson & Co., and Mr. Young, of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire. They were appointed by the Shipping Control, not by this Government, and

(Continued on page 9)

PROTECTS

17, Connaught Road Central.

EYES RIGHT

if nut crusn't the

CHINESE OPTICAL CO.

45167 Quean's Road Central.

HERE-MR JIGGS 19 A PACKAGE YOUR WIFE LEFT IN OUR

STORE -

ON THANKSGIL TAKE IT HOICE

TO HER.

I'M NOT STUCK ONL CARRYIN BUNDLES

BUT THIS MIGHT BE A PRESENT 'FER 'ME:

YOU LEFT THAT TACKAZE INA STORE.

MERCY-1 AM GETTING SO

FORGETFUL- I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT 15 IN THE

PACKAGE-

The hound recommended by

y local doctors for its

acuuṛdoy and cheapaoss.

*** US THIN, ́HSE,

IS THAT WHAT & CARRIED HOME:

© 1922 BY INTI EKATURE

OH! T REMEMBER

NOW: