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SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
Several members of the deputation expressed themselves in favour of imprisonment as a penalty for the breach.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK--Do you not think it would be next to impossible to stop Sunday labour, seeing that nearly all the workmen are Chinese, who are directly opposed to stopping work on Sundays?
Captain ASHTON--My experience of Chinese is that they always object to any innovation, but they are a law-abiding people, and when the law is once passed do not think they will attempt to break it, and I believe that after obeying this law for a certain time they would think it a very good thing. It is impossible to expect anything but opposition from the Chinese, no matter what is proposed. They do not like anything new. They do not like having a certain space behind their house. They do not like any sanitary measures that are passed; but once the law is passed they will obey it. The introduction of this measure would naturally meet with a certain amount of opposition among the Chinese.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-Do you consider it a good policy that a law of this kind should be forced upon the Chinese in spite of their strong objections. ?
Captain ASHTON-I say that this is a British Colony, and I do not see why such a law should not be enforced.
Hon J. J. KESWICK-Do you not think the Government should weigh carefully the effect of throwing upon the Colony say 150,000 workmen who have nothing to do on one day in each seven? Do you not think it a serious responsibility?
Captain ASHTON—I do not.
Mr. DUNCAN--I may say so far as the Chinese are concerned, very many of them are strongly in favour of passing such a law, and as a proof of their sympathy with us they have sent here to-day a Chinese gentleman from one of their newspapers. do not think there is the slightest danger entailed by these men having nothing to do on Sunday, and I believe the Chinese appreciate the one day's rest in seven just as much as the British.
Hon. J. J. KesWICK-I am very much obliged to you for your reply; it is very interesting. But to go on with my questions. In dealing with the question of Sunday labour on board ships, there are four classes of persons to be considered. There are the officers on the "hunne steamers, the officers on the coasting steamers, the officers on the Chinese steamers, and the officers on steamers of all other nationalities.
Captain ASHTON--Yes, that is so, and I think they would all be very glad of a rest on Sunday.
Hon. J. J. Keswick--If it is as I have said, how do you intend to apply the law as regards penalties? Supposing on board a Chinese steamer the officers or crew happened to work on a Sunday, what are you going to do?
Captain ASHTON-The Chinese who enter this port are under British, law and if this law is passed by the Government of this Colony Chinese steamers must obey it the same as other steamers.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-Would you have the Chinese vessel seized?
Captain ASHTON--How do you mean?
Hou, J. J. KESWICK-Suppose when she has done working she lifts her anchor and leaves. Are you going to seize her?
Captain ASHTON-Certainly.
A member of the deputation (Mr. Newham) said he had had nine years' experience in Chinese steamers, and did not think they were likely to break this law. They did not work in any of the treaty ports. Hongkong was the only port where they worked.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK--Very well, I am only asking to get suggestions, but I thought that steamers could pay special terms and work on Sunday.
The same member observed that he had never known of such a thing being done.
The CHAIRMAN---I have, frequently.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK--I must say my experience is the same.
Flon. P. RYRIE-Is this law going to affect our servants as well?
Are we
to be obliged to eat cold dinners on Sunday? (Laughter).
SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR
17
Captain ASHTON-The law wo want to see passed is to prevent unnecessary labour on board vessels on Sunday, nothing more nor less.
Mr. HOPPIUS-Would you consider Chinese junks as coming under this law? Captain ASHTON-Certainly, it would be unfair to stop steamers working and not stop junks. Some of these junks load for Hoihow, and with a fair wind, if they were allowed to load on Sunday, they would be halfway there before the
steamers started.
Mr. HOPPIUS--Would not this be interfering with the junk trade?
trade.
Captain ASHTON--Certainly it would, the law will interfere with every The CHAIRMAN--I should like to ask one question. Do you think this stoppage of work in this Harbour will add to the expenses of the shipowners?
Captain ASHTON--No, I think on the other hand it would benefit the shipowner. The CHAIRMAN-You think that by not working on Sunday that Europeans and Chinamen will wake up that one day in seven ?
Captain ASHTON-I am sure of it. I am speaking now of my own ship, but I have no doubt it is the same on board others. When we arrive in a port on Sunday where the men can get leave from the ship when their work is finished- there is always a certain amount of work to be done on board, cleaning and so on,- I have been surprised to see how earnestly even the natives turn to their work. You see the holystone flying, and the buckets flying, and the ship being polished, and the work is done twice as quickly.
The CHAIRMAN-Would you prevent sailing on Sunday?
Captain ASHTON-Certainly not.
A member of the deputation said they were the only body of men who did seven days' work for six days' pay.
The CHAIRMAN--How is that ?
The member explained that other people were paid for six days' work and did it, their week was from Monday till Saturday, the officer on the other hand although paid in the same way, was asked to work on Sunday.
Mr. DUNCAN--You mean Sunday is the birth-right of every British subject? The member-Yes, certainly.
The CHAIRMAN-Well, when you are at sea, you have to work on Sunday. There is no distinction made when you sign your articles.
The member said there were always attempts made to lessen the work on Sunday at sea.
Mr. DUNCAN said he had heard that a year ago there was a Bill, similar to the one they were now asking for, drafted by the Government, but it was not proceeded with because it was thought it might be objectionable to some of the chief capitalists of the Colony. Furthermore, the Colonial federation scheme was at that time a more or less burning question in the Antipodes.
The CHAIRMAN-Well, Captain Ashton and Gentlemen, we are very much obliged to you for the interesting interview we have had. The question will be the subject of consideration by the committee, and our view of the matter shall be communicated to you by letter.
Captain ASHTON--When cau we reasonably expect an answer?
The CHAIRMAN-As soon as possible; it is a matter for some consideration. Captain ASHTON-A month do you think?
The CHAIRMAN-Oh, less than that.
Captain ASHTON-Because your answer will guide in a great measure our future action.
The deputation then withdrew.-Daily Press.
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