!
46
SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR,
Capt. Ashton headed the deputation on the 18th of November, and he appealed, in eloquent language, to Government to relieve officers of a great hardship and an invasion of their rights as subjects of the Queen. His Excellency kindly replied at length, and did much to allay the storm, which the ripple on the surface gave warning of, and showed how the depths were surging below. His Excellency (the Hon. F. Fleming, C.M.G.) said, inter alia, that the officers need not consider the reply of the Chamber as final. As on previous occasions when the Association had important work on hand the Press was represented, and kindly published full reports of the proceedings.
Full particulars of all that has been said and done in Hongkong with a view to the abolition of this obnoxious custom is now in the press, and will very soon be issued in pamphlet form for general information.
In the foregoing I have, in my capacity as honorary Secretary, morely outlined the work performed by this young Association during the past year. From a small beginuing of ten members the body numbered over a hundred in less than six months. From that it has increased until fully 7-8ths of the officers sailing out of this port are eurolled as members. Irrespective of this, a world-wide union of certificated British officers is all but un fait accompli, for by our alliance with the Liverpool Association our immbers stood at over 3,000 in October, and subsequently, through our connection with that body which took the lead in forming the federation of shipmasters and officers in London, it rose to close upon 15,000. Our alliance with Australia and Shanghai cannot long be deferred, so we understand, and when that is accomplished, we shall see what can be done in India. We therefore hope that ere 1891 draws to a close, the world-wide union of British officers will become an indisputable fact. That we should be so united no sensible man will deny, for without it a thorough revision of the laws governing the Mercantile Marine of Great Britain, which are so notorionsly musnited to the times, cannot be regarded as within measurable distance.
Let us all hear in mind that it is through her mercantile marine that Britain's commerce has become the greatest the world has yet known; it is by means chiefly of her mercantile marine that such commerce can be maintained; it is by the use and efficiency of her mercantile marine that this vast amount of commerce (this unfathomable source of wealth to the Empire) will be even further developed, and by which England will maintain her prond position as the first commercial Power of the world. Bearing all these facts in mind, let us strain every nerve to maintain the dignity of what should ever be a highly respected profession, and never forget that
"UNITY 18 STRENGTH."
Hongkong, 1st January, 1891.
CHESNEY DUNCAN,
Hon. Secretary.
SUNDAY LABOR IN HONGKONG HARBOUR.
47
(). That when Officers are required for Sunday work, they should be directed, upon application of the Agent (which application should be made on the day previous) to be in attendance and not to leave the town during the following day, and that after this notice has been given, should the officers services not be required, they will be entitled to payment for the day-having been unnecessarily detained in Port.
#
(Signed)
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Colombo, 5th January, 1870.
H. T. IRVING,
Colonial Secretary.
MINUTE.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR is pleased to direct that the following Scale
of Allowances shall be paid to the Officers of the Customs Department at Colombo
by parties requiring the performance of duties by them on Sundays and Holidays, and beyond the regular legal hours, viz. :---
1.---For attendance on Sundays and Holidays -
Landing Surveyor
***
Lauding Waiters and Clerks
Lockers, Tide Surveyors Tide Waiters
Rs. Cts.
10
O the day.
5 0 do.
} 75 do.
} 26 do.
2. For attendance beyond the legal hours of 6 A.M. and 4 P.M :~~
Landing Surveyor
Landing Waiters and Clerks
Lockers, Tide Surveyors
Tide Waiters
Rs. Cts.
3
0 per hour of the visits he may
be required to make.
1
50 per hour.
0
50 []).
0 25 do.
3.--For superintending within the legal hours the trans-shipment of Goods from one
vessel to another -
SPECIAL PORT (SUNDAY) REGULATIONS AT CEYLON.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR in virtue of the power vested in him by the 79th clause of Ordinance No. 17 of 1869, has ordered and hereby orders that the following special Regulations relating to the entry inwards and outwards of the Landing, Shipping, and Trans-shipping of Goods and of all business connected with steamers, be published for general information and have force of Law.
*
*
*
{}
(a). That all Mail Steamers or Steamers for which Agents have given a special Bond shall, on timely notice being given to the Collector of the l'ort, be permitted to work after office hours and during the night and on Sundays, and the said notice shall give a guarantee for the payment of the several officers the Collector may think necessary to appoint for the required service.
Landing Waiters
Lockers, Tide Surveyors
Tide Waiters
Rs. Cts.
2
50 the day.
1 25 do.
0 75 do.
And for periods beyond the legal hours the regular rates per hour.
4. When application is made for such services, the Collector, if he sees fit to sanction the same, should require a deposit to be made, sufficient to cover the expenses likely to be incurred.
5.-When more than one vessel may be so working, the expenses for extra attendance of Officers shall be divided amongst all the "parties availing themselves of their services.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Colombo, 11th September, 1872.
By His Excellency's Command,
HENRY T. IRVING,
Colonial Secretary.
170
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