1919-05-07 — Page 2

Page

TEF HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

MOUTRIE'S PIANOS

TU

HIRE

FROM

$10

Per MONTH.

TUINNG AND REGULAR ATTENTION

INCLUSIVE.

(22-3

BATHING SUITS

Various" pfalo colours and · Fancy Stripes in all sizes at prices ranging from 83.50 each.

MACKINTOSH

CO., LTD..

Men's Wear Specialists.

16, DES VEUX ROAD.

Telephone 29,

[43

The "EL PALACIO" CIGARS

of distlaction.

Well-known for their flavour and aroma.

THE EGYPTIAN FAVOURITES

Theodore Vafladis

A. G., Cousis & Co.'s

CIGARETTES.

Sole Agents:

THE HONGKONG CIGAR STORE

Tel. 161.

CO., LTD..

THE

Hotel Mansions.

CORONET

TO-NIGHT at 5.15 and 9.15 p. SMITH & BELLA JACKSON Negro Comedians and dancers also

A floe comedy film programme,

including

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

CHAMPION

In

CHARLIE

HAROLD LLOYD,

IN

LUKES PREPAREDNESS PREPARATIONS"

ROSCOE ARBUCKLE

THE ALARM and STD CHAPLIN

GIDDY GAY AND TICKLISH"

Booking at ROBINSON'S.

[697

1125

THE LONDS AND INDUSTRIAL

UNBEST

WAR PROFITS.

LABOUR'S LION'S SHARE. Important shes bearing on the effect of the present demands of Labour upon the country's commercial prosperity were made in the House of Lords on February 29th by Lord Enunett and Lord Lever hulme, both of whom are closely connected with large business concerns.)

Lord Emmott said that busine¶n,experka- Assured him that there must be a hard struggle if we were to keep our place in industrial competition, even if there was complete harmony and co-operation be "txera Capital and Labour. The capital List know we bad, been living in a fool's paradise in the economic sense during the

WEDNESDAY. MAY 7TH, 1919.

•RIQTË” IN EGYPT. EARL CURZON'S STATEMENT. The disturbances in Egypt, formed the subject of a question put in the House of Lords on March 18th, by the Marquis pt. Crewe to the Leader of the House. Lord Crewe asked what was the situation in Egypt.

THE CHINA: STATION,

THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF “A

POSTCARD.

COMMERCIAL CO-OPERATION. APOLOGY OF A WARSHIP ON

BRITISH COMMERCIAL · ATTACHE WEETS CHINESE MERCHANTS.-

Mr. H. J. Brett, the Commercial Secre tary of Legation stationed in Hongkong. was present by invitation at a Committee meeting of the Chinese General Chainber of Commerce held on Tuesday afternoon A large number of lending, merchants were present, among them being the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu-pak (Chairman), Mr. Li of complete Po-kwai (Hon. Treasurer) and the Hon.

Miss H. Rose, on October 18th last, sent the following postcard from the Carlton Hotel to her sister, Miss F. Rose:-" My dear F.,-I almost forgot - what arranged for Saturday. Was it to meet at the corner of Charles-street about 1.131 Will be there if possible.-Love from H.” The postcard was not received by Miss F. Rose until a few weeks ago, when it In introducing Mr. Brett, the Chair-arrived in the same envelope as the ap- man said: Gentlemen, before proceeding pended latter:- with the business of the day, I have much

H.M.8. Bee, Hankow, China,

December 20th, 1918. pleasure in introducing to you a distin- guished visitor in the person of Mr. Brett who is as you know, cne of the Commercial Secretaries attached to the

Eart Curton said that in November last a deputation of Egyptian National its called at the British Residency to advocate a programme autonomy in Egypt, which would leaver. He Fook to the British only the right of supervi sion with regard to the public debt and shipping in the Suez Canal. They de manded that they should be allowed to proceed to London at once to put forward their demands. At the same time the Nationalists elected 2.committer of four team leaders, who commoored an agitation tures to patition and subscriptions in

of their programme.

My dear Miss Rose,-The officers of H. M. Mee regres_that_through the delay of the British Post Office they were

War, and unless we could compete in the throughout the country; collecting aig British Legation for South Chion, with unable to meet you as 1.15 at the corner

Inext few years successfully our tommer suppos the Prime Minister s

ever.

Labour, however, argued that it that he

without doing any serious material harm

in the long run. Both sides hold these should also be allowed to go to London,

at

Mis Majestying with the idea that i

stated

his office in this Colony. On your behalf

of Charles-street,

1.

+i

We hope that you will forgive us for

The distance from

enclose postcard, which seems to have taken the wrong turning. We will remem ber the corner of Charles-street when we return from this war-Yours sincerely,

"OFFICERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE.” P.S.-We hope that the person who sent the postcard is not still waiting on the corner and that you will let him down easily

cial and financial supremacy was gods for after The Minister of Education I now extend to him a hearty welcome. would be possible under pence conditions should visit London in the immediate. You have probably read in both the Eng-not turning up.

Ele to discuse Egyptian affairs. to go on improving the, position of Labourer urged thake Nationalist leaders Lish and Chinese newspapers of Mr. China to Charles-street is very great. We views very tenaciously. In the meantime

Government, in reply the country had to take a most fateful whilat decision. The one vital consideration at

should be allowed an in- the" Egyptiana the present time was to get our export creasing share in the government of trade going again. Until that was done Egypt,

that they could not in a satisfactory way it was perfectly bandon their responsibilities for order impossible to make ends meet in

in the Enan-and conduct in Egypt and the safe cial sense. (Hear, hear.) Immense dam-guarding of the interests of the native and age had been done to our export trade foreign populations, and that, therefore, by the operation of the blockade sobie no useful purpose would be served by of it, he feared irrevocable. For in- leaders coming to London

his Majesty' stance, we had forced neutral countries.

to the two Ministera adjacent to

would, be to manufacture. Germany

said their

Visit bent

i would but welcome,

it goods with which we had been in the very

be habit of supplying them The vital better, in the interests of their matter now was to increase our exports dignity, if the visit did not coincide with in order that we might be able to pay the first weaks of the l'eace Conference, as Mr. Balfour would be absent in Paris the higher wages, apart from profits,

Could nothing be done, asked Lord The two Ministers then tendered their Emmott, to avert the ghastly tragedy of resignation to the Sultan, and the British general strike! Jest unjustly, a good High Commissioner was summoned to many in the House were suspected of § London to report on the situation, manufactures and exports that we may Mr. G. N. Orme. a Chinese was summon- being profiteers or friends of profiteers.

ers invitation was addressed to the two Tomething February, The present inrest was due to

Minist and they declined, deeper than resentment that railways and

OWE

An

were also

Brett's past record, and the nature of his present duties. From his past achieve ments and from what I have heard of him, of think I can safely say that the important and responsible. work now being undertaken by him could not have ben entrusted to better hands. I know that it is Mr. Brett's earnest endeavour to bring the merchants of Great Britain and China into closer touch with each other, and to promote their mutual wel fare, and I am sure that he will succeed in these directions. addressed to this Chamber shortly after his arrival, he kindly offered to supply any information in respect of British

In his letter,

Evidently the postcard slipped into a package destined for EMS. Bar, for its stamp is still uncancelled.

A DANGEROUS STRUCTURE. At the Magistraes, yesterday, before

mines had not yet been nationalised. He funless the Nationalist leaders come warmly thank him in person for this for the purpose of holding a theatrical

to come here in the middle of require. As Chairman of this Chamber, Ied for erecting a matshed in Aberdeen The Government kind offer, which, I assure him will be performance, without a permit from the was sure the peope were misled in the permitted to come. matter of profiteering. They argued that could not accept such a endition and availed of as occasions arise. Mr. Brett's W.. because certain people had unquestion the resignations of the two Ministers offer is extended not only to the Chamber!

Mr. Hall (of Messrs. Lo & Lo), who which had remained in suspense, were

collectively but to its members individu appeared for the defendant. said the accepted by the Sultan

ably made large fortunes during the war, all shareholders and capitalista were enormously richer than they were before.

the war, and that there was an illimit tim were then taken for the formally, and I hope that you will not fall fault lay with the P.W.D. Mr. Sara had able fund of wealth which could be exists tried to prevent the new Ministry to take full advantage of it. It is only visited the place when the shed was in by free interchange of views and friendly course of erection but had not informed shareholders wore people of more modest protection against further insults and association that a better mutual under his client, that he was, doing anything

ploited They forgot that the bulk of means than well-paid artisans. (Bear, hear.).

Assuming Lord Buckmaster was cur-

LARGE INCOMES 'REDUCED.

standing between the merchants of Great illegal. His client had been informed by Britain and China can be reached, and

a clerk in the P.WD, that a permit Moreover, every

of a new Ministry, and the National- The Sultan appealed for being formed. intimidation, and authority was given arrest and deportation to Malta for the of four Nationalist leaders. There had since been some demonstrations, chiefly rect when he said that 450 millions more by students in Cairo and other provin a better trade between the two countries would be granted. profits were made during the war and rial contres, and collisions had occurred thereby promoted in Mr. Brett we have precaution had been taken to prevent the amount that went to the profiteer Wooroved by the more saber element in this best cfforts to bring about this desired. theatre had been built for seating about

an admirable intermediary, who will use any untoward happeninga. troops These manifestations were not

Mr. A. E. Wright said that a buge 3,000 persons. she population.

If a fire had started even the presence of half-a-dozen fire Boats would not have averted a catastrophe. This sort of thing must be stopped. Mr. Urine fined defendant $100.

Hous,

between the Nationaliste and

British

result. With these few remarks, I once more extend to Mr. Brett oar Warm welcome, and assure bin of our whole- hearted co-operation.

Mr. Lau Chu-pak first spoke in Chinese, and then translated his remarks into English, after which Mr. Brett replied, (the Chairman interpreting).

owing to the war than before the war, only ninety millions. These figures made allowance for losees during the war, The total excess profits paid to the wealthier classes did not exceed 100 mil-

while he calculated that the weal the workman thought his dividends too thier classes mast have paid out from mail, and expected the profits to be high 150 to 200 millions. He asserted that theer than they ever could be. An inflated general effect of the war had been to re- idea of what the employer's profits were Ruco rather than to increases the net in- was one of the causes of unhealthy un- come of the wealthier classes taken as a rest. If an arrangement had been made whole. On the other hand, wages had by which the workpeople from the out on the whole been doubled, and in many break of war, instead of having increased cases more than doubled, which meant ages, had taken the exems profits of that the working classes bad received dur- their employers, they would have made ing the war from 750 to 1,000 millions

1 very poor bargain The excess

profite more per annum than before the war.

For ten years in the cotton trade-from remaining in the hazıds of the employers honour which you have shown me in

not have given the workmen 48. 1908 to 1917-the average dividend had each per week, whereas the advance in inviting me to meet you here to-day, and This Year. also for the kindly references which Mr. Laat Tear been 7 per cent. For thirty years it had wages had been considerably over £1 per

could

not be worker per week Therefore the rise in Lan Cha-pak has made to me in his A wages had been Eve tones or more address. The post of Commercial Secre to make 48 amount of the increased profits of the

Бо

char per Cause, IA

ope

Year,

With bring

bad

per cent, Wages had gone up by 115

GREAT LISE IN WAGES.

Mr. Brett said: Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I am very grateful for the

HONGKONG TRAMWAY CO., LTD.

The approximate statement of traffic receipts for the week ending May 3r is as follows

Receipta

for

וי

re

Aggregate receipta

wook for 18 weeks. $15,062

12,370

254,920 942,049

2,669 ------12,680-

not a rise. Again, this country had sold made in all the industries in the country factarers and merchants in the United Jn

this and of expressing my

the cotton trade would be able to meet the fierce competition with which it would

"be faced. undoubtedly

Looking at the prices of the stocks quoted on the Stock Exchange, there was a fall in value and a great amount of its foreign investments His own little fortune, which was not badly inverted, was worth a great deal less than it was before the war.

groes income of £1,000 would give a net income of £900 before the war; now a gross in- come of £2,100 a year was required to give an equivalent

whole

merchants joined totes

tion regarding foreign markets, and of pleasure at finding established in Hong assisting them to get into touch, with a representative an association consumers and producers in all parts of

Chinese

for the the world. Whilst it is undoubtedly true

anch as yours, provided that it

ita energies solely to the promotion of Colony and of the great markets to which Hongkong serves as the open deur, per- affords me great pleasure to meet so many a most important function, and it of your leading members.

may by great reliance on the help British with the trade conditions and potentiali

ties of the South China market, and I Cu the other

of wealthy menunt. The incomes which be works and the conditions which that the growth of a nation's commerce the commerce and manufactures of this

that Four

per cent, during the war, and he hovedployer. It was ignorance on this subtary of Legation for South China, which

that ought to be removed.

has recently been conferred on me, is an for so important a field of trade. I can acting as Commercial Intelligence Officer While the war had been going on, wages entirely new appointment and is part of only hope to rely on the kindness of a scheme devised by the British Govern merchants, both British and Chinese, to bad advanced by over 100 per cent. I

aasiat me with the information and advice the workmen had received,, instead of the 100 per cent, the whole of the profits ment with the object of providing manu

of which I shall frequently stand in need. I welcome this oppor- that did not go to the Government, their Kingdom with a better service of informator of

tunity

the General Committee rise in wages would have been under 10s. per week instead of over 1.

If we are to prevent strikes," pro ceeded Lord Leverbulme, it is our daty to see that the worker is properly with the conditions under acquainted with present affect

rise in wages. There always will prices, buy only from one-third, to one. be disputes, but point blank refusal met depend mainly on the energy and half of what they would hay before the

to admit that there

be a strike enterprise of its merchants, it is hoped bulk the of previously wealthy men will lead us nowhere. When an employer by those who have organised the new war would have to reduce their style of living receives a request for an increase of if they were to make both ends meet. Wages.or & reduction of hours, which if Department that by the appointment of

UNREST A HEALTHT SIGN,

ho should take his workpeople into a that Labour "umrest was one of the bo, shou

partnership of this nature, in which he cign countries and in the

I recognise your Dominions and Colonies, with the special shall not hesitate to apply to you when healthiest signs in the country at the pre-should say to them: sent time. There was no Bolshevism here desire for higher into bat do not duty of studying the resources and needs in need of information. except on the part of the men who had meet the higher cost of living;

conscription and had not proved let us forget, either caful industry, that possible to supplement the efforts of the mercial matters I shall be delighted to resisted

I can be of any assistance to may be hand, if of as that our living of each particular market," it themselves good citizens. He did not depends on

your einbers in connection with com- how-men could be deprived of the right this country is dependent on its overseas individual merchant and manufacturer render any small service in my power. The to strike, for their labour was the only trade, and that we are in competition commodity they had to sell. Previous with the whole world. Let us see how we and to widen their knowledge of the more principle of co-operation is of increasing to the war the wages of organised labour can get both shorter hours and higher

hilate in modern

business, competition plays a most useful hari eisen Id. an hour in the core of wages. If there is no addition to the important, centres of trade. As a part of thirty years; during the war there had production, then you workers will be the this scheme thres Commercial Intelligence part in maintaining keenness and effi

You are 35 per cent, of the Officers have been appointed for China merchante can work together for their been strike after strike, and wages bad

ciency era directions in which increased by over 100 per cent. The posi sufferers

pal consumera. If goes up in price you tion, then, was that the lesson had been feal it more keenly than any other section

This statement is trua one to reside at Shanghai, one at Peking, mutual beneh regard to the relations taught that a scarcity of labour com of the community.

and one at Hongkong That China is on between the merchants of one nationality

not merely bined with Strike produced advantages This country, proceeded Lord Lever the brink of great industrial and com- but also between those belonging" to for the workers which could not be ab bulme

must produce so cheaply that our tained whe

when labour was plentiful There articles would be sold all over the world. mercial developments in a fact patent to different nations having common commer was at the present time & deep-rooted. Many of the workers were obsessed with all who have taken any interest in the tial interests and aims, and I feel sure that the Chinese business community suspicion and distrust between esuployers the idea that their best interest was progress of events in recent years, and, whore trade has been built up in the and employed which

That was entirely (Hear, hear.) That

with, me that the co-operative principle Wrong. In the was no reason much higher because the trade unionists and political complications may tem can be applied with special trees to the In no country there did not discourage output. Tho

Lord Leverhulae, declared his belief ised point-blank will lead to a strike, Commercial Intelligence Officers in for to make me better acquainted

not to exist.

and

misunderstanding: limited produced Blaten wages were although unfortunate domestic dissensions British Colony of Hongkong will agroo

were strikes more

to be afraid of Latically and effec output per worker in the United States porarily retard these developments, it can business relations between the merchanta tively dealt with than in Australia with Considerably more than three times hardly be doubted that she is destined of Great Britain and China. I feel very a Labour Government The workman that of workers in this country. There time be wor of the great trading strongly that it is by friendly simogation and mutual assistance between the mer was not a machine to be kept well-oiled; wers to workmen in the world more nations of the world. It appears to me

to be_equally certain that in the coming chants and manufacturers of our two with tigh wages and good housing, and unable to logis and truth theners of trade expantion the merchants and nations that the enormous latent resources every aspiretion of the workman to all joined, together in endeavouring manufacturers of Bouth China, and introf China can best be developed and 3.

who were as good as sny, and it would lift him higher, and make him

*e all kave new aspirations to-morroS.

daty we should had that the particular those whose business interests I can at any time serro as a link of Wot to do our

are centred in this Colony,, will play a communication between the two. I ha should always have Labour unrest if W bogey of strice would be shorn of all wore to be a healthy community

in terror and a strike would be merely prominent part, and in accepting my consider it a great privilege.

present appointment I did so with full After tes had been dispensed, the busi He was a convinced believer in the prelude to the consideration of the ques

consciousness of the responsibility whichness of the meeting was proceeded value of co-partnership, and bad put it in, and that we should "quickly raise I was undertaking and of my own lack and before the members dispersed into operation to ne great an extent, as ourselves se s producing nation. By anyon it the drawback to it was that is process we shall be combled to dis of qualifications for the difficult task of questions were put to, and answ

(Continued at foot of nezi column.) Mr. Brett, (Convinued åt foot of next; column.). charge our load of debt.

wa