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SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR
circumstances, and we deeply deplore the sad loss of an able and popular colleague. We also express our deep sympathy with the families of the deceased and with those who were wounded, whom we wish a happy issue out of all their troubles and sickness. (Long continued applanse amidst which the speaker resumed his seat.) A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the same compliment to the Secretary, Mr. Duncan, and the Acting Treasurer, Mr. Bathurst, brought the meeting to a close.
The annual report of the Association (for 1890) was laid on the table.- "Hongkong Telegraph” 5th January, 1891.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION, 1890.
The first meeting of marine officers held with a view to devising ways and means of starting a Mercantile Marine Officers' Association in this colony was at the Sailors' Home on the evening of the 17th May, 1890. Eleven officers were present as well as the present hon. Secretary. A resolution was passed at that meeting by which it was decided to call a mass meeting of British officers on the 20th May. Accordingly those present on the 17th canvassed the whole of the shipping in port, and on the 20th over twenty officers assembled at the Victoria Hotel ar 9. p.m., when it was resolved :---
1.---That an Association styled the "British Mercantile Marine Officers' Association "
be formed forthwith.
2.-That the objects of the body shall be :--
I-For the purpose of counteracting influences that are, and for a very long time have been, acting against the interests of officers of the British Mercantile Marine.
II.To watch over and guard the interests of its members.
III-To maintain the proper dignity of the profession.
It was also decided :-(1). To admit none but British subjects as members of the association. (2), That the Press should be admitted to all ordinary meetings. (3). That the entrance fee should be $5, and the monthly subscription $1 each. (4). That members of kindred bodies be admitted to membership upon payment of half the entrance fee.
At a meeting held on the 2nd of June at the same hotel, a set of temporary rales, based upon those of the Australian Association, were adopted with certain modifications. The meeting was a large and representative one, and the members of the Press, who were present, published reports of the proceedings the next day. A disenssion ensued on the subject of the selection of a suitable President, and it was manuously decided to ask Capt. Samuel Ashton, Commodore of the local Douglas Line, to do us the honour of becoming President. Captain Ashton accepted the presidency when approached on the subject. His acceptance was made known at a meeting held on the 24th of the same mouth, and the announcement was greeted with much applause. A letter was forwarded to the President couched in respectful terms, thanking him for his kindness in not only becoming the leader of the body but also a member.
During the months of June and July the much-vexed question of the right of foreigners to wholesale employment in British ships was frequently discussed, as also the necessity for a world-wide union of British officers, and resolutions strongly condemning the one and approving of the other were carried unanimously. This was followed by the Secretary being desired to open up negotiations with the English, Australian and Shanghai Associations, with a view to the conclusion of
SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
45
treaties of amity with them. He was also instructed to make certain representations to Government on the subject of the employment of foreigners on board British ships. The Secretary duly performed the duties assigned to him.
In the mouth of August the subject of the constitution of Local Marine Boards was discussed at length, and resulted in the passing of a resolution condemning the action of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach in causing able seamen to be admitted as members of Local Marine Boards. It was during the latter part of this month that telegraphic advices were received relative to the Australian strike. We were of opinion that the action taken by the officers in the Antipodes was premature, and that their alliance with trades-unions was a very ill-advised step, calculated to bring disgrace upon the profession and ruin to the strikers. That our opinions were well founded, the failure of the strike, or rather its virtual failure, owing to the stubborn resistance of shipowners and employers generally, added to the wavering of many of the officers (by latest advices from the colonies) proves conclusively.
On the 14th of August the President, in accordance with the special invitation of the Association, took the chair at a meeting held at the Marine Hotel, and delivered his inaugural address. He was greeted with hearty applause, and his speech, which lasted for fully an hour, was frequently interrupted by loud manifestations of approval and concurrence in the opinions expressed. Representa- tives of the Press were present, and they published full reports of the proceedings the next day.
On the 25th of the same mouth the Committee was duly elected by ballot.
On the 6th of September the President again delivered an address in which he discussed the subject of unnecessary labour on board ships in the waters of this colony on Sundays. The speaker dealt with the subject in a selling manner, both from religions and secular points of view, and, as on the occasion of the inaugural address, the speech was continually interrupted with hearty applause. The representatives of the Press were present and published full reports of the speech, and took the matter up in their journals. The Press supported the movement, and the gratitude of the Association is due to them for their recognition and support, which it is earnestly hoped will be vouchsafed to us in the future.
We freely acknowledge the power of the Press, for we know it is one of the greatest safeguards of the liberty of the subject.
On the 19th of the month (September) resolutions were passed to the following effect :--
(1.)-"That in view of the fact that the sum and substance of official and public opinion, generally, is to the effect that the cessation of labour on board ships on Sunday, in Hongkong, can only be effected by the Chamber of Conanerce moving the Government in the matter, this Association decides that special representations should be made to the Chamber of Commerce with a view to the holding of a conference between delegates of this Association and the Chairman of the said Chamber.'
(2) The Chamber of Commerce consenting to the conference, this Association be represented by the President, Captain Ashton, and two or three members to be selected by the Committee."
The Chamber consented to receive a deputation on the 17th of October. Accordingly at 4 p.m. that day Captain Ashton, eight members and the hon. Secretary, accompanied by the representatives of the English and Chinese Press, met the Committee of the Chamber in public conference at the City Hall, when the subject was discussed at length and taken down in shorthand by the pross representatives the Hongkong Telegraph, Daily Press, China Mail, and Wai Sun Yat Po. Subsequently fall reports of the proceedings, together with the definite reply of the Chamber, were forwarded to the Liverpool Association and other influential friends, with a request that they should place the subject before the British public with all haste and in all earnestness.
The reply of the Chamber of Commerce, above referred to, caused great indignation to the whole body of Mercantile Marine Officers, and they decided to petition the Acting Governor to receive a deputation. Accordingly, the necessary despatch was written, and resulted in a most courteous reply in which his Excellency graciously fixed the date for receiving a deputation at Government House.
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