1949-05-02 — Page 11

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THE CHINA MAIL BRITISHI INDUSTRIES FAIR SUPPLEMENT, MONDAY, MAY 2, 1049.”

MANUFACTURERS' UNION

For many

PLAYS

ITS

PART

em-

countries which |The authorities have been ap-{ The need for technical educa- had unfortunately borne theprouched on the matter and ol-phasised It Hong Kong is to na-

have been 'tion cannot be strongly ravages of war, the weighty though Government problem to all alike has no quite sympathetic, their recom-pire to the position of a fully In- that ♫ more per-dustralised centre. It is this con- less been concerned with the mendation vital need of reconstruiction..

mananent type of concrete house viction which encourages the hope should be built was not prac-that Government will give sym--

cable to the sponsors,

pathetic consideration to this project in making à grant of a suitable free site as

well as a generous donation.

Likewise for Hong Kong nn equally formidable task nt re- habilitation obtained in the early days of re-occupation, The re- solute way. In which this job was tackled has made possible more rapid progress thon had been expected.

*

It is perhaps pertinent to men- (lori here that the Hong

Kong

By Mr. U Tat-choo, Vice-Chairman, H.K. Chinese Manufacturers

Union

Of its other netivities, the Manufacturers' Union has netively organised many Annuali Exhibitions of local products. The Brst post-war one was held at Kowloon from December 10, 1948 to January 2, 1949. It attracted be wide interest reasons, could

and, unquestion- pushed no farther than its blue-nbly, was the most ambitious, print stage,

eclipsing all previous records in the range of exhibits and the number of member-factories who participated.

Therefore, this building scheme,

Chinese Manufacturers' Union has played its part In the re- suscitation of the industrial life for obvious of this Colony.

At its beginning In 1933, the Manufacturers' Union had about 40 members. Since then it has grown in membership and ho how more than 500 inembers, Many are leading manufacturers and well-known industrialists.

Raise Living Conditions

It was originally hoped that the

Government, approval, by such a scheme would go fur to raise the standard of living con- ditions of the factory

participants stands and the

No less than 150 pf

had their own Interest shown to the wide range workers goods on exhibition was at- continue to live tested by the fact that sales In overcrowded tenement houses made at the fair alone resulted ront in the which nee woefully lacking in all cash receipts of approximate. The number of the elementary needs of hygieny $2,500,001),

visitors, including many foreign

Such a corporate spirit is sa well ́appreciated that the logical con-

clusion is that it is bound take even deeper local soil in years to come.

Various Setbacks

At the outset when earnest at tempts were made on all sides at rehabilitallon, many member- fuctories who tried to Fe- establish themselves experienced various setbacks.

|

who must now

It is common to find between | buyers, was estimated at more 24 and 35 persons vccupying a fat than 400,000, where, more often than not, the kitchen, the bath-ruom and the lavatory are all merged into one service unit, with consequence that might well he left to unes imagination.

High rentals charged are be Some had their machinery andyond the means of the average *equipment lost during the war, worker, and it is known that as

others were without funds.

much as $25 has been charged In this situation verging on for a bed-spacse. almost hopelessness, the Manu-

At the BIF held in London Delegation of six members which last year was the long Kong

the Manufacturers' presented Union. The six, members includ- ed Mr. Shum Choy-walt, Chair- man: Mr. U Tat-chee, Vice- Chairman Mr. Robert Der, General Secretary:

Their object was to publicisc- Hong Kong products and, at the

·facturors' Union turned naturally If a more decent place could(same time, to study latest pro- to the Hong Kong and 'Shanghai | be provided for the workers, cesses by personal contact with -Banking Corporation for finan-they would feel happier and į manufaétürers in the United

cial assistance.

make for contentment which will Kingdom.

from

not only increase their working This year's BIF has drawn a Loans were obtained by some morale but also

delegation insure against | Digger factories, but others, due to their labour unrest.

Hong Kong More than 60 member- .inability to furnish approved

factories, as against 24 last year, securities, received no help.

When workers show greater have sent their exhibits and 30

+