1918-08-16 — Page 2

Page

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, "FRIDAY, AUGUST · 16TH.

CHOOSE THE

INSTRUMENT

THE WORLD'S GREATEST ARTISTS

THENK XVII

HAVE CHOSEN.

THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL. Company's business and of the working of the South Chinn trade, which it is APPEAL OF LEVER BROS. (CHINA), impossible for that Arm or any of, its

LTD, FAILS.

merubers or, employes to replace. I im plicitly believe that without Mr. Mae Nicol it would be impossible for the

The Governor-in-Council sat in the Council Chamber yesterday morning to

1918.

fruita ef Mr. Mr. McNicot-At the moment shey and 1915, when the MacNicol's organisation became appar have no man in the office to do it. In sat, they would see that the expansion my opinion, if I go the up-country

For 1918 the firm business will be very considerably cu.... had been enormous had made a pro forma estimate for pras-tailed.

HE. THE GOVERNOR-Have "they been tically, double, the amount of goods in

hear an appeal by Messrs. Lover Bro Company to continue its South China | South China compared with 1917, and asked in so many words whether they can

(China), Ltd., against the decision af

trade For these reasons I feel that I

far as the first six months were concern-

ment

undertake this agency in South China,

the Tribunal that their representative in justified on 1 half of my Company ed the estimates had come out with whether they can furnish travellers for South China, Mr. L. D. MacNicotin appealing against the decision of the extreme accuracy. It was quite clear this up country business Could you ask a safer guide?

tribunal, refusing the exemption of Mr. that this trade in South China was a MacNicol and in asking that such diei-growing one, was extremely important, Certainly no one is better qualified should be enrolled.

H.E. the Governor presided, and there were also present H.E. the Generalion be reversed, or in the alternative and was capable of enormous develop The supplies were sent direct to to judge a musical instrument. They know music. Their life-work Officer Commanding, the Colonial Secre- that exemption should be allowed for

the head office in England with the apei-housed, and those supplies were coming is music. And Melba, McCormack,tary, the Colonial Treasurer, the Director such time as will enable me to acquaint Hongkong, whers ther

of Public Works, the Secretary for

forward regularly. They were distribut- Mr. Looks said sincs that statement ed from here by ships and junks and Caruso, Farrar, Galli-Curci, Gluck, Chinese Affairs, Sir C. P. Chater, and tion and obtain a reply.” - Homer and a host of other world. Mr. C. H. P. Hay (one of the Assessors) had been made a cable had been received through all other channels, throughout this up-country business as it must bo

famous artists have chosen the Victrola to carry their superb art on Victor records exclusively to all the world.

MOUTRIE'S

VICTOR AGENTS.

BATH

ROBES.

nad

Major Morgan (the Proper: Military Authority").

Mr. Looker appeared on behalf of the Company, and at the outset asked for a short adjournment on the ground that the full body of assessors, upon whom the

from

were WATC

Mr. LooxRR They have offered to look after it, as I informed the Council, bus we asked them if they were prepared to let a man devote his whole time to it and they said they could not do so. As a master of fact we know that they have no man' in their office with the necessary capabilities and experience to attend to

That vaut organisation" attended, to. They could, of course, ar had been initiated, and was being solely could anyone, keep an eye on it and do attended to, by Mr. MacNicol There a little, but not sufficient to maintain

no one else who knew anything | the business, about it. If the work had beer going on

"We con- South China. Port Sunlight reading sider MacNicol is most necessary for carrying on your Business, and can only suggest you use every effort in order to retain him." Cotinuing, Mr. Looker

WAS

H.E, THE GOVERNOR--Have you that in

public largely relied in these appeals Pointed out that Messrs. Lever Brothers for a considerable number of years and writing?

was not present.

Н.Е.

quorum.

GOVERNOR-We have THE.

a

Were the biggest manufacturers of soap in the United Kingdom and perhaps in the world. They drew their raw supplies

and also from foreign countries. They had established factories in all quarters

Mr. LookEx-NJ,

had been firmly established it would not be so important for Mr. MacNicol to H.E. tus GoVERNOR-You have not in remain, provided a competent and, ex-writing the Statement that they cannot

means of their travellers!

Mr. LooxER-I am aware of that, but from all quarters of the British Empire |perienced man could be obtained to take look after the up-country business by

16-5

the essential point is that there should be three Assessors here, pot, one only.

Made of good cotton crepe, cut to our own pattern on loose easy lines and are not "skimped."

The coolest and most comfortable wrap for Bath or neglige wear, and very useful for Bathing parties.

Inexpensively priced at $3.00, $4.00 & $4.50

each.

MACKINTOSH

à CO., LTD:,

Men's Wear Specialists,

16, DES VŒUX ROAD.

LA

Telephone 29,

MINERVA

CIGAR FACTORY.

EPICURES

ESTABLISHED 1881.

[103.

3 REALLY DELIGHTFUL SMALL CIGAR La Boxes 25 82.

REINA MARIA AND FAULTLESS. BURNING

EXCELLING IN RICH FLAVOUR

in Boxes of 80 84.

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.,

AGENTS IN HONGKONG AND SOUTH CHINA

TH

HER RING — HALL-MARVIN

SAFE

STANDS UNEQUALLED IN THE WORLD TO-DAY.

ALL SIZES IN STOCK-PRICES ON APPLICATION

MUSTARD & CO.,

TELEPHONE 1188 4. DIS Vaux ROAD CENTRAL AGENTS in FOOCHOW, AMOY, SWATOW`and CANTON: BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO Co.

[1361

[2230

MACARONI, PASTE STARS, EGG NOODLES, VERMICELLI, AND ALL KINDS OF SOUP STUFFS.

LL our Pasten bear the "Rooster" label and are made from Flour of the Best Quality containing a large percentage of Gluten. Starch and Gluten are the principal. components of Flour. Gluten, is eaner to digest and contains more nutrimons than Starch, Manufactured under the most sanitary conditions.

Large quantities have been exported to various important cities in the World.

Orders executed promptly. Terma moderate, especially for Agencies. THE HING WAH PASTE MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. Head Office: Na 47 and 48, Connaught Road, Central, Hongkong; Telephone No. 1229: Principal Factory: No. 71, North Boochow Bead, Shanghai, China; Telephone No. 3236. Branch Factory: Wing Hing Street, Causeway Bay, Banglong.

[2237 Cable Address: “HINGWAH.

his place; but to take Mr. MacNicol away from the organisation when he was

Mr. LOGKER They have no travellers, H.E. THE GOVERNOR-They can get

I suggest a short adjournment to enable the British Empire and in several just setting it on its feet would be disa4. the other two to appear. I think that foreign countries, including Japan.trous. There were competitors waiting, travellers.

Like many other big concerns, they bad sitting on the fence all round them, recently turned their attention to China, Messrs. Lever, Bros. were able, at pre- where, as the Council well knew, there sent to get the better of them with regard was a great held existing for the develop-to sales because they were able to lay ment of Western goods amongst, the vast down the goods at a cheaper price, but

is, strictly in accordance with the prin- ciples of the Bill and the promises to the public,

is no

H.E. THE GOVERNOR-There reason whatever why the other people

ME LOOKER-European travellers? H.E. THE GOVERNOR-My information happens to differ from yours. Have you made, any attempt to obtain from the substitution-list another qualised busi-

should not be here. I have come a lone Chinese population. They commented the competition existed and it was chiefly aess mani

way, and from a most tempestuous re- gion.

2

WAH

about 18 or 20 years ago in North China. They established themselves first of all Mr. LOOKER "There is no reason why at the Treaty Ports, but it being its fullest pos- they should not be here, but I would ask apparent that, if the business

to be developed to

to necessary fer a delay of a few minutes.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR-I do not mind sible extent, waiting until the 930 tram from theke arrangements for the sale of Peak comes in. I cannot wait any longer their products in the interior of Calas, a system they proceeded to organise under which they could distribute and el their products throughout the

than that.

A few moments later Mr. Stabb arrived

and the proceedings commenced.

Mr. Looxt-We have inspected the

to the Council in confidence why wo cannot take the only man there who might be capable.

foreign competition and, if the trada which had been initiated and developed substitution-list and I would like to state was to receive a set-back through Mr.. MacNicol being taken away, it would mean that their place would be takri by He thought the foreign competitors. Council would, realise that trade of this description initiated in South China from the basis of Hongkong was most essential in the interests of this Colony. If there was one thing more than another which

H.E. THE GOVERNOR (to Mr. MacNicel) -How much time, Mr. Mr. MacNicol, say in a month, do you employ visiting these places where, as I understand it. the soup is retailed!'}

Mr. MacNicot-- That varies, Unil the

Mr. LOOKER said he wished to preface whole of North China. That system had had contributed to the progress and Conscription Act came into force I had

what he had to say to the Council byen followed with great success by other reading a declaration made by Marge companies-the Standard Oil Com the British and American Tobacco Comi- James Quin, managing director of Leverpany, the Asiatic Petroleum Company, Bros. (China), Ltd. in Shanghai, and

pany. After giving details of the systern, kent down here to lay before the Appunt vany, and the Anglo-Swiss Milk Com. Council. The declaration stated thas

Mr. Looked said this organisation of the Company had been carrying on an

Messra. Laver. Bros. (China) Company ever increasing trade in China since the

success and development of this Colony it was the opening-up of South China to trade. There was nothing more import ant to this Colony than that. it should remain and be made the basis of the extension of trade in South China by British interests. It meant a vast amount of goods being brought into the Colony,

a special arrangement with the military authorities whereby. I could leave the

Lime Colony at any

without going. through the usual formalities. That was necessary because at times 1. had to leave on receipt of telegram. More recently, as, the business has developed, there has been more to do in the other with accounts. That takes up more time berg" he in Hongkong for a week or ten days.

FI.E. THE GOVERNOR-How many tripr a month do you make into that very pleasant land of China!

year 1904, and that the trade had not in North "China proved enormously being stored here, and being distributed now. At the end of each month I must

in any way been diminished by war con- ditions, but, on the contrary, had shown a large increase since the outbreak of the

war.

successful, and the sales of soap in the interior were increasing by leaps and bounds. It was necessary that the agent

from here to this various places in the interior. If they attempted in any way to fetter or hamper the development of

The export trade from the United in charge should have had considerable that trade; they were injuring the essen

Kingdom in soap amounted in the year

experience of the actual manufacture of

the "Boop

at the bead otice of the 1914 to 1,735,900 cwts, and there was a steady increase up to last year, when the Company at Port Sanlight, because the Company made various brands of soap soap exported reached 2,533,733 ewts. The total net imports of soap into China adapted to different purposes and cal in 1914 valued at Hk. Tls. 2,586,902 and culated to appeal to different classes of in 1917 at Hk. Tls. 3,681,023, an increase people. Recommendations to the Com. of Hk. Tls. 1,115,125, or 43 per cent. The pany regarding the qualities required establishment of Messrs. Lever Bros., to meet the needs of local districts could Ltd., was controlled by the Ministry of only be properly made by someone who Munitions and the whole of the glycerine and had experience of Port Bunlight.

Mr. MacNicol had had four years' ex-

produced as a by-product in the manu- fucture of soap was taken by the Govern perience at the head office experience ment for the use in' the manufacture of the bead office was insisted upon by high-explosives. Mr. MacNicol was the the Company before then were sent out representative in South China, the to China and he had also had one or two years' experience in the trade in operations for which territory were cop- ducted from Hongkong. He was the North Ching Finally, he was sent down oaly, foreigner in charge of the Southere to organise a similar trade in South China trade and was essential for the China Previously to that the Company proper carrying on and continuance of nad established an agency in Hongkong that trade. The declaration continued:under Mesara Harry Wicking & Co. "Owing to increase of business, arrange That was some ten or twelve years ago, ments had been made just prior to the but the agency was confined solely to outbreak of war for additional men to selling scap in Hongkong. No attempt join the China Staff. Not only did we was made to deal through that agency lose the services of this addition to our with Scuth China, and the agency did staff by these men joining His Majesty's not even go so far as to extend its ope- Forces, but two of our staff from China rations to China. In 1914 the Company are also serving. The Company's staff decided to endeavour to develop this vast in China is reduced to the absolute field. It started by establishing an office minimum essential for the continuance in Canton, and after two of the Company's businem. I am in-months" Mr. MacNicol was sent down formed that the parent Company has be here to organise and develop South China tween 5,000 and 6,000 men now serving as an avenue for the sale of the Com in the army,

and that immediately pany's commodities. That meant that he any of these obtains his discharge had to make visits to many places, as from the service be is immediately certain in what towns suitable merchants. absorbed in the home business. There is existed for carrying on the Company's therefore little prospect of our obtain trade, negotiate with those men, arrange

or three

ing a man with sufficient experience of for proper security and extension of the the business to replace any of the sint branches, and call upon them from time in China. I understand that it was sug- to time to see that the business was being gested that Menara Harry Wicking & extended as far as it was possible to Company of Hongkong might carry on extend it The Council would see from during the war as Agents for the Com the figures which had been placed before pany in South China. As to this I desire them that there had continuous to impress upon the Tribunal the fact progress since 1013, The Ugures for 1913, that Mr. MacNicol has a thorough know. 1814 and 1815 showed continual expan- ledge of the interior organisation of the sion, but when they come to 1916, 1817

tial interests of this Colony. Indents for soap had been made out on the estimate of the sales for this year. A great deal of that soap was on its way. A great deal of it had been specially made for this South China market Supposing Mr.

Mr. MACNICO-It varies very much. For a time I was travelling to Canton once week.

H.E THE GOVanson-And Wechow and these other places

Mr. MANICOL-I go to Wuchow about three times a year.

tho

H.E. THE GOVERNOR-What is average number of visits you make to

MacNicol was taken away and the agency the rural districts of China for the pur was closed, what would happen to this pose of looking after the interests of your " for other markets, so that it would, to at.

Mr. MANICOL-It is very difficult to for great deal of it was unsuitable Company? That is what I want to get all intents and purposes, be thrown away. The chief ground upon which the give a figure because it entirely dependa application for Mr. MacNicol's exemp-on circumstances

anyone

tion was made before the Tribunal was H.E. THE GOVERNOR-Well, it canno one of Imperial interest. It appeared to be very often, him, and he thought it would appear to Mr. MACNICOL-It was sufficient to.. the Council also, that essential local in- have a special permit to leave whenever teresta were inevitably bound up with necessary." this trade. It was impossible to find H.E. THE GOVERNOR-It boils down to at present to replace Mr.this, that the bulk of your time is spent Messrs. Harry Wicking & in Hongkong and that you make periodi-

cal visits to the agencies. acNicol. Co had offered to devote some time, not their whole time, to superintending Mr. MacNiCOL-Probably the bulk of this trade, but that, of course, was of my time is spent here because there is.

the business and Wicking & Co. do absolutely nothing for no use. If a man was not able to devote now more office work. Messrs. Harry his whole time to and experience gained in the organisa. visit these agencies with the knowledge me in the office. tion, then the trade would inevitably was necessary, and it they took away suffer. A whole time man of experience Mr. MacNicol at this stage, they would of the Colony. do serious injury to the essential interests H.E. THI GOVERNOR-How old are you, Mr. MatNicol

Mr. MACNICOL--Twenty-nine. E.E, THE GOVERNOR÷Are you anxious to go?

Mr. MacNICOLI applied to the arm to the Tribunal the point taken by the in the first place in 1911. I explained firm and gave the reasons why the firm I accepted those could not release me.

HE. THE GOVERNOR-You" personally reasons then.

Mr. MachicoL-Oh, yes, I am quite wish to gol

willing to go."

H.E. THE GOVERNOR-You have a desk, we will call it, in the firm of Harry Wicking & Co. ?

Mr. MAONICOLI have an office and my

own staff.

HE. THE GOVERNOR-Do you yourself see any reason why Messrs Harry Wick ing & Co-s very reputable firm here

Mr. MACNICOL-It is not a question of should not again carry on this agency i carrying on the agency again, because the agency which Mesara, Harry Wicking was confined to Hongkong. Now this Co. carried on was purely lotal; it business is in South China. They have

HLE. THE GOVERNOR There is not operated in South China. reason why they should not take up the work, is there

HE. THE GOVERNOE-Messrs. Barry

Wicking are not the agents for the Com pany in South China.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, referring to the Imperial interests involved, which fact that glycerine obtained from soap it had been suggested, were based on the was required in the manufacture of ex- plosives, asked whether the glycerine would be available if the sale of soap in Sonth China came to an end...

Mr. LOOKEE-I do not suppose even if you closed the whole of the busi- as well that the British Goverment would ness in South China and North China get any less glycerine. I submit that Colonial interests are far more likely to be affected by any stoppage of this trade " than Imperial interests. At the same time. apart from the question of glycerine, it is obviously in the interest of the Empire that South China should he opened up as much as possible sta British goods.

E. THE GOVERNOR-Can you tell me the number of the European Staff Messrs. Lover Brothers have, in China.

Mr. Looze-Five Epropeans alto- gether. There were two more when war

slone here... broke out. Mr. MacNicol

In answer to the Secretary for Chinese N Affairs, Mr. MacNicol said he did not spenk Chinese. He took an interpreter with him when he went up-country.

The Council considered the case in private, and subsequently H.E the upheld the decision of the Tribunal, tha Governor announced that the Council no exemption should be granted to. Mr. MacNicol

The Council then adjourned,