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SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
Goldsmith asking if something cannot be done in the matter. I do not think I need read that letter, but the Chamber carefully considered the arguments that were placed before them in that letter, and the following resolution was passed by the Committee: "That in the opinion of this Committee, the objects sought to be obtained by the Rev. A. G. Goldsmith as stated in his letter of the 24th March, are worthy of every encouragement, but in view of the many conflicting interests in- volved, the Chamber do not see their way to support a resolution to compel the total cessation of Sunday labour in this Colony, unless a law could be introduced applicable to all classes and nationalities of vessels." That was the opinion of the Chamber in 1888. In December last year the matter was again referred to the Chamber by His Excellency the Governor, and the following reply was sent :-
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 16th December, 1889.
Sir, Reverting to your letter of 6th inst. (which I have already had the pleasure of acknowledging) having reference to a despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies inviting merchants and others to take voluntary action for the purpose of stopping unnecessary work in the harbour of this Colony on Sundays, I have now the honour of informing you that your letter has had the careful consideration of the Committee.
The question of Sunday labour has-as you are aware-been the subject of a correspondence in which the Committee, while expressing sympathy with the movement, regretted that the peculiar circumstances under which trade is conducted seemed to render the suppression of Sunday labour in the harbour almost impossible-even though the majority of those interested in shipping business are unfavourably disposed towards such labour.
The Committeo, though individually opposed to unnecessary Sunday labour, are unable as a representative body, to suggest any schome admitting of equitable and general application calculated to bring about the ends aimed at. I have &c.
F. HENDERSON, Secretary.
There you have in two years the result of our deliberations. You now come before us as a newly-formed body and suggest that we should ask the Government of this Colony to pass a binding law compelling every ship that enters this Harbour or remains in it to stop from Sunday work. In view of the resolutions already read to you, it appears a matter of impossibility to pass such a law in this Colony. I cannot see how it is to be done. Have you or the deputation any suggestion to offer as to bow this Sunday labour can be stopped?
Captain ASHTON.-By passing a law you can stop it.
The CHAIRMAN-The question is-is that a matter of public policy where there are so many conflicting interests ?
Captain ASHTON--I think an Ordinance could be passed which would make exceptions in cases where the labour was for the public weal. Our desire is for total cessation, because we think that it would be fair for everybody in the 'community.
The CHAIRMAN-I think it is a question for the Government.
Captain ASHTON-If the Chamber asked the Government to pass such a law,
I think it would be a foregone conclusion that it would be passed.
The CHAIRMAN-It is a matter on which the Committee will deliberate and the Secretary will forward you our answer in writing. Before you leave, however, perhaps some members of the deputation would like to put a few questions.
On being appealed to by Captain Ashton, the members of the deputation said they would prefer to leave the matter in Captain Ashton's hands.
The CHAIRMAN-Does your Association embrace both local and home members? Captain ASHTON--Any officer who likes to come along can join, so long as he is a Britisher.
The CHAIRMAN--But are there any home members on your books now?
Mr. DUNCAN (Secretary to the Association)--We are in alliance with the Liverpool Association.
The CHAIRMAN-What I wanted to know was, whether Captain Ashton was speaking for officers on home steamers as well as the local steamers ?
Mr. DUNCAN-I believe every officer endorses this appeal. We are justified
in doing the best we can for ourselves and our allies.
The CHAIRMAN-But have you got their authority to make it?
SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
15
Captain ASHTON--As I understand your question, you mean have we any members besides those from local steamers ?
The CHAIRMAN-Yes.
A member of the deputation said there was a captain in this port now who belonged to the home trade who was a member.
The CHAIRMAN-Have you any record of the number of vessels that work on Sunday here? Have you taken any
data ?
Captain ASHTON--No,
The CHAIRMAN --I should like to know to what extent this Sunday work exists. I thought perhaps some investigation might have been made in that way. Captain ASHTON-No, we have not done so, but we can do so. It is notorious that all steamers work here on Sunday.
The CHAIRMAN --In the local trade, are not compradores employed to receive cargo?
Captain ASHTON-On board some steamers.
cargo,
The CHAIRMAN-That minimises the work of the officers does it not? Captain ASHTON-To a certain extent, but the officer is responsible for receiving the and he has to be there to supervise whether a compradore is working the cargo or not.
The CHAIRMAN-But his work would be minimised. Could you make any suggestion as to any way to do without the officer being there?
Does your
Caption AstroN--The officer has to sign the receipts for the cargo. The CHAIRMAN-Could not they be signed the next day ? proposition for stopping work on Sundays apply even to mail steamers ?
Captain ASHTON-Yes, even to mail steamers. My reason is, that mail steamers are also cargo steamers. If these mail steamers are allowed to work cargo, it would not be fair to other steamers.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK--Captain Ashton and Gentlemen of the Association, I can assure you that I have very great sympathy with your object, that every man should be secured one day of rest in seven, but I must say that we have difficulties here which would not characterise the introduction of such an Ordinance as that asked for in any other part of the world. During the last year or eighteen months I have very frequently had this question before me, and I was present when the matter I believe everyone there came up for discussion in the Legislative Council. sympathised with the object in view, but everyone agreed that it would be a very difficult thing to carry it out. In the first place, in this Colony there are very few Europeans as compared with the large number of Chinese, and that causes it to be very difficult to stop Sunday labour on board steamers, because if you stop it there you must stop it in every other calling. I should like to ask you, Captain Ashton, one or two questions, which I should feel obliged if you would answer, in order that we may, if possible, find some way of solving this difficulty. I would like to ask you first whether you consider that any rules and regulations of public bodies would stop Sunday labour?
Captain ASHTON-No, a direct law from the Government would stop it. Hon. J. J. KESWICK-Do you not think supposing we had regulations made by public bodies, they would be more honoured in the breach than in the observance ?
Captain ASHTON-But I am asking for a law from the Government. If such a law were passed it would be the duty of the police to see it was carried out.
Hon. P. RYRIE-By imposing penalties, I suppose?
The CHAIRMAN-Do you suggest fines or imprisonment?
Captain ASHTON-Well, the Attorney-General would draft the Ordinance. The CHAIRMAN-But as a penalty, would you be in favour of fines or imprisonment?
would
Captain ASHTON-I can't be expected to draft au Ordinance.
The CHAIRMAN-But you must impose some penalty for breaking the law; you be in favour of fines or imprisonment?
Captain ASHTON-I should think a fine, but I would make it so heavy that the thing would not be likely to occur more than once.
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