1920-04-15 — Page 5

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THE LABOUR TROUBLE IN HONGKONG.

PEAK TRAM SERVICE AFFECTED.

DEMAND BY BRICKLAYERS AND

CARPENTERS

Yesterday, morning the Peak tram ser- vice was disorganized by the strike. The It had Ettars had struck on Sunday. been arranged to change the cable on Monday night, and it was possibly thought by the fitters that the strike would make that impossible. Assistance, was obtained from the bandy however,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, APRIL 15 tu, 1920.

COMPANY MERTING. HONGKONG TRAMWAY CO., LTD. THE CHAIRMAN ON THE STRIKE. The annual general mesting of the Hongkong Tramway Co., Ltd., was held

A general meeting of employers was forthwith hold when it was decided to se if it was not possible to satisfy the men's demands (se had been the case last year) by a rice allowance based on the present cost of rice. This offer was promptly

DIVISION OF ENEMY TONNAGE NOTIFICATION BY THE REPARA-

TIONS COMMISSION.

hya Gazette Kelmordinary:

The following notification was published

H.E the Governor has received the

April, 1990:- State for the Colonies, dated the 10th

Puns A

at rbon, yesterday, at the offices of Messramade known to the men, who as promptly following telegram from the Secretary of Jardine, Matheson & Co. The Hon. Mr refused it, and a further conference of John Johnstone presided and there were employers was then, huid when it was de

Reparation Commision ask that follow- also present the Hon. Sir Paul Chater, cided that as the two local Dock Com

ander your Government on April 15th :---- C.M.G., Sir Robert Ho Tung, and the panic, together with the Admiralty Dock Hon. Mr. Lau Chu-pak (Directors), were the biggest employers of Chinessing notice may be published in territory Division of enemy tonnage. With refer Messrs. G. C. Moxon, A. R. Lowe, M. S labour of this class, and that therefore any Northcote, G. Grimble, A. Murdoch, R. Agreement they care to would necessarily unce to paragraph 20 annex 2 part, 8 men of the Royal Navy, and the work. Wilson, M. Manuk, Ho Leung (share have to be followed by the smaller com Treaty of Versailles which was done. Yesterday morning the boiler holders), and W. E. Roberts. (secretary).panies concerned, they, the Dock Com- follows:

The CHAIRMAN said:-Gentlemen, The patios, assisted by Mr. Hallifax, should men and the brakesmen absented them

elves from duty. Again, assistance was Report of the Directors and the Statement endeavour to come to terms with the sought from the Naval Yard, and men of Accounts for the year 1919 having been Chinese, the smaller Companies agreeing were supplied to man the power station in your hands for some time, I will, with to be bound by the decision ultimately, and run the cars. The first car did not your permission, take them as read arrived at by them. This brought us to start before 8 am."and, until the sailors Trafic receipts during the year show on the eve of the Ching Ming Festival when,{ get accustomed to the running of the cars, increase of 824.114. The number of pas-as, you are well aware, many Chinese the servics is not likely to be according seugers carried, exclusive of monthly leave the Colony to worship at their ances to time-table. Instead of a ten minutes tickets holders, was 19,901,170, an increase tral tomb, service yesterday morning about three of 617;191 over the previous year. Work trame an hour were run, and conse

Reparation Commision in fixing and accepting payments for specfied properties or rights shall have due regard for any legal or equitable interests of allied and associated powers or al noutral powers or of their nationals therein." " Reparation Commission hereby give notice that they will proceed to divide ex- German ships on and after June 15th,

quently owing to the limited carrying ing expenses increased by $15,327 leaving tracted meeting with the men's representa- 1990. All claims which it is desired to |

usual walked down from the Penk.

PEAK TRAXM ACCIDENT:

CANTON AS A WORLD FORT

DR. SUN YAT-SEN'S AMBITIOUS

SCHEME.

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs at a pro- a nett increase in the working profit of tives reached an agreement with them that make in respect to any of these ships under capacity of the cars more people than 8,787, which I think you will agree is they were prepared to discuss with the above quoted article should be notified We are officially informed that owing very satisfactory. The accounts have been employers an arrangement on the lines of through Government of claimant to Secre to the strike the Peak Tramway Co. dof converted into sterling at the T.T. ex-1 an increase of from 9 to 93 cents per hour.tary. Maritimo Service of the Reparation not guarantee that "cars will be run change rate of December 31st, viz., 4/10, representing an approximate advance of Commission, Bridgewater House, London. according to schedule, and ask that for and as this rate is 1/6 higher than that 25 per cent. The representatives agreed S.W. 1, bot later than May 15th, 1920. the present the public will refrain from taken for the previous year the sterling to the Conference, which was called for Reparation Commission cannot undertake travelling more than is absolutely neces- figures in the accounts are correspondingly 7th April, when the 3 remaining repre- to consider any claim received after that RAT.y. The service will cease at 10 p.m. inflated. Depreciation of the wasting sentatives of the men (the others were said date.

assets of the Company has been charged to be in Canton persuading the absentees each night.

After the early morning rush something in the accounts on the same lines as in the to return) stated at once that they could occurred to make a temporary suspension previous years, and the royalty of 5 per listen to nothing short of a concession of of the service necessary, but the trams ent of the working proft payable to the the full 40 per cent demanded They were again running before the tiffia hour. Hongkong Government has been provided remained firm on the point, and discussion

In the Far Eastern Review for April, for. The sterling' debentures were duly being impossible the Conference performe redeemed in May last, and upon this being ended The men however can be under no done the debenture redemption reserve of delusion as to the lines on which the matter Dr. Sun Yat-sen sets forth his third pro- with them as their: present unreasonable of China. The main feature of this third 11,994 10. 10d. (being the difference be- can be reopened; but the next more must liegramme for the international development tween the par value of the debentures pur

Southern part which will completa the Speaking for the employers, as I DOW chased before the redemption and the price attitude makes even discussion Impossible, programme is the construction of "a great paid for same) was released, and has been baken into credit of profit and loss account. do, I may say that we are quite prepared plan for three first-class seaports in and ready to meet the men's just demands the preliminary part of the International A very large sum of £81,250 2. 1d. which and increase their wages in recognition of Development Scheme." The Great South. has had to be written off for difference the increased cost of living, but the men em port will naturally be Canton and in exchange, cals for some explanation. have certainly not been able to substantiate this is what Dr. Bon has to say about it The rates of exchange raling in May last their demand for a 40 per cent increase, were at so high a level compared with and until they are prepared to discuss the former experience that the conversion of matter on reasonable terms, it will be im our sterling debentures into a dollar possible to arrive at & antisfactory settle liability presented itself as a method of rent ridding ourselves of a sterling debt, at an exceptionally favourable cost. The absequent course of exchange has proved

in the presence of the Secretary of

the political dominance of England. The until rates revert to the price of conver the men i

loss of its position as a seaport is entirely sion the adverse effect produced by dollar Chinese Affairs,

We arus prepared to grant an increase due to the ignorance of the Chinese people, A statement in regard to the strikeliabilties exceeding dollar assets must be

a feature of our accounts. Were the to engineor-fitters and turners of 11 cente generally and to the interruption of the

course of exchange to continue upward per hour plug a bonus towards the present who never made any combined effort to the corrupt government and lower level tram service, in particular, was

day, the continuance of such bonus to be also to made by the Chairman of the Tramways this difference would become accentuated cost of living of not less than 10 cents per improve the welfare of the country, and Company at the annual mesting of share-and it might prove necessary for us to brought up for consideration and adjust officials of the Manchu dynasty. Since holders yesterday and will be found in consider what steps should be taken to proment on October lat next. This increase

vent, its recurrence in our accounts. At and bonus to be graded so that taken the establishment of the Republic, the together in no case shall they exceed a 25 people have begun to awake very rapidly per cent. increase on any employee's pre- and many schemes have been suggested to reasonable and fair. sent salary, which we feel convinced is

The cars on the Peak tram lices had to cease running shortly before 7 o'clock last evening, owing to some slight damage caused to the cable. It appears that just as the top car had started a lady came into the station and the car was suddenly pulled up. This caused the car at the 13 or 15 ft. of it coiled up underneath the car, displacing one of the guides on the track. When the car reached the tog and the rope was examined, it was deemed advisable to suspend the service for the night. Many people were waiting below and had to get to the Peak on foot or by chair.

bottom to overrun the cable, and about

The cars, we understand, will be ran. ning to-day, but there is likely to be some dislocation of the carly morning service,

in an introductory paragraph to the

exposition of his scheme for making a world port of Canton City:--

Cinton's position as a seaport has been taken away by Hongkong since its session:

Büt to England after the Opium War. In order that there should be no mis

as a commercial centre of South China. understanding it would be advisable per-

advantages of deep-water, barbour, the haps that I should here indicate the basis! Canton still holds its own, despite the

Tho eurs will, probably, begin running that this decision was premature, and on which we are prepared to again meetificial improvements of Hongkong, and;

between 10 and 11 ..

EMPLOYERS' CASE..

ear report of the meeting.

It is stated that the Chinese shipyards and repairing shops have intimated their willingness to concede the full 40 per cent. The strike among the fitters has thrown out of employment many men engaged in other trades. We bear, for example, that contractors are experiencing considerable difficulties in getting supplies of cement, which must in turn mead unemployment for men whose work is concerned with the

se of cement.

the moment, however, I confine myself to explaining the position as it is to-day when, with a falling exchange, the pos- sibility of the balance being restored by natural means arises

make Canton a seaport. This awakening

I take this opportunity of expressing of the millions of Chinese has caused much our thanks to Mr. Hallifax who has spared apprehension to the Hongkong Govern- no efort to bring masters and men together

on ground which would permit of negotiament. The authorities of that colony have The work of renewing the rails betweeution, and I venture to express the hope been doing their utmost to hinder every Whitty Street and Causeway Bay is now that, through his good offices, we may yet move to restore Canton as a seaport and try to nip every scheme in the bud. of being proceeded with, and when this is see a settlement of the dispute on equit Snished our truck will be in good condition, and a saving in maintenance charges, both in respect of the track and of the cars, may

able linca.

As regards this Company. The fitters course, if Canton is improved and made came out on the 10th and although it into a world port, then all the services might have been possible to continue to that Hongkong performs for her as a run the trams for a few days longer, as We learn that the bricklayers and carbo anticipated.

I am pleased to say the motor men and shipping stage would be dispensed with penters of the Colony have, through their The subject of a tramway in Kowloon conductors were prepared to go on, threats altogether. But a developed Canton and

had been received that these employees organisations, notified the contractors

was referred to by the Chairman at the would be molested did they continue, and & prosperous China will recompense Hong that from this thirteenth day of the fifth ist general meeting, and you were in- as 96 per cent. of the people carried by Fong in various ways a hundred times moon (June 28th.) they will require formed that the Company had on many the trams are themselves Chinese. it was more than its present position as th

decided to stop altogether and allow our an increase of 20 per cent in occasions applied to the Government foruders to frid other means of monopolized ocean port of a backward their wages. This particular date the concession. It was later stated in the ranching their destination. To our Euro and poor China. is fixed, wo understand, because it Press that it was the intention of the penn and other passengers who are n

is the annual festival of the guilds con- Government to construct a tramway them cerned, and timely notice is given, so that contractors may know how to tender for selves, but although 12 months have elapsed ince then, nothing. has been done so future work.

concerned with the strike I apologize for the inconvenience this decision may have crased, but I feel aure they will realize the difficulties we are faced with, and ap preciate the desirability of a united front sonal inconvenience

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Just received from USA,, a new shipment of Typewriters-- different models.

108

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ROUNDING UP BAD CHARACTERS.

Um

There has been much comment for some far as I know, and we have not received eren at the cost of a certain amount of per" { TWO ARMED MEN IMPRISONED..

time paas on the great increase which any further communication from the

has taken place in building costs. There is now the prospect of a further increase of 20 per cent, in the very near future.

HIGHWAY

HOBBYRIES

Government on the matter, There is no doubt that a tramway in Kowloon is needed, and the Company are prepared to undertake the work as soon as the Government agree..

Sergeant Murphy, of the Criminal In. to monthly ticket holders a refund of a I would add that this Company, will give proportionate amount of the cost of their vestigation Department, charged two tickets.

now beg to propose That the dehen. Chinese at the Magistracy, yesterday, ture redemption reserve amounting to one with being in unlawful possession £11.994 108. 10d be transferred to credit of a revolver, ammunition and a dagger, of profit and loss account and that the report of the directors and statement of end the other for having two daggers. There appears to be a general misunder-accounts for the year ended December 31st, without a licence standing of the position and I think 1919 he and the same aro here adonted.

plessed to answer any questiong, perhaps, it would be well if I took this After this has been seconder I shall be

STATEMENT OF THE STRIKE.

A highway robbery is reported to have been committed near Causeway Bay on Tuesday night. Two men engaged rickshan and proceeded in the direction of North opportunity of informing our shareholders

Queen's Road West and the men were A raid was carried out in a teashop at

Bir PAUL CHATER seconded and the arrested. In their respectiva cubicles were The men were bad motion was carried unanimously found the arma areonded by Mr. Ho Lego, the Hon. Mr.

Point; when suddenly a man sprang out and the public generally how the present On the proposition of Mr. NORTHCOTE characters, and answered to the descrip-

from a hedge on the roadside and stopped deadlock has arisen.

On the 18th March employers of Chinese John Johnstone. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G,, tion of persons who had committed a

in the ricksha the rickshas.The two men who were accomplices of the other man, labour generally received joined him in assaulting the coolies, certain skilled labour They stole the day's earnings from the orginter-filters and turners

increase of 40 per cent of ther cooling and decamped.

Owing to the prevalence of robberies in the Western district, the Police pressed for

heavy penalty

that and the Hon Mr. Lau Chu-nak were re figanay.robbery some time ago.

alted Directors, "by

the

Menste Lowe, Bingham and Matthews red an were re-appointed Auditors at a remune salaries ration of $4,000, on the proposition of Mr.

MANUK, seconded by Mr. MURDOOK. Another highway robbery has been roto miest the increased cost of living. at the ported from West Point, the facts being There was no word of a stri

No tiny so far as communication to em similar to the Causeway Bay affairs

oyers 'went. arrests have been made.

The CHAIRMAN Bancunced that dividend Warrants, were ready and could be had on application and the meeting then ter minated;

The first defondant was sentenced to six months hard shour and the second to three months, hard labour.

TELEPHONE 346

117

Lrd.

JUST ARRIVED

CONSIGNMENT

of

SEMI-TRIMMED HATS

SPRING WEAR.

Inspection appreciated.