Enclosure 3.
The China Mail.
HONGKONG, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1883.
THE employment of the Chinese prisoners on the new Hospital works appears to go on smoothly enough, and it is satisfactory to note that in this way some of the heavy expense to which the Colonial Exchequer is put by our present Gaol system may return to the ratepayers. We observe that it has been proved by publicists at Home that the saving thus effected by convict employment on public works is very large; and it is significant that, so far as public works are concerned, but little opposition is now made to this description of labour. When industrial interests are more nearly affected by the competition of indoor gaol labour, the cry against it is much more loud and clear. One reason which may fairly be advanced in favour of the employment of prisoners to work upon the larger public buildings designed for this Colony is the enormous and (we fancy) exorbitant rates which the Government is called upon to pay here for building and other contracts. We have heard it said that the rates for Government are fifty per cent. higher than those for private clients; but this must surely be an exaggeration. However, that a contract for Government appears to be regarded as a fair opportunity for putting up charges, is a very general impression; and from this point of view, the consideration that Government could and would sometimes undertake its own work might have a wholesome effect. Let us hope that this will be so.
407
Enclosure 3.
The China Mail.
HONGKONG, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1883.
THE employment of the Chinese prisoners on the new Hospital works appears to go on smoothly enough, and it is satisfactory to note that in this way some of the heavy expense to which the Colonial Exchequer is put by our present Gaol system may return to the ratepayers. We observe that it has been proved by publicists at Home that the saving thus effected by convict employment on public works is very large; and it is significant that, so far as public works are concerned, but little opposition is now made to this description of labour. When industrial interests are more nearly affected by the competition of indoor gaol labour, the cry against it is much more loud and clear. One reason which may fairly be advanced in favour of the employment of prisoners to work upon the larger public buildings designed for this Colony is the enormous aud (we fancy) exorbitant rates which the Government is called upon to pay here for building and other contracts. We have heard it said that the rates for Govern- ment are fifty per cent. higher than those for private clients; but this must surely be an exaggeration. However, that a contract for Government appears to be regarded as a fair opportunity for putting up charges, is a very general impression; and from this point of view, the consideration that Govern- ment could and would sometimes under- take its own work might have a wholesome effect. Let us hope that this will be so.
407
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