1921-11-22 — Page 3

Page

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

[BATORE THE PUISNE JUDGE (HIS EGNOUR” H. H. GOMPERTZ.]

INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION.

CO. DEFRAUDED.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUKSDAY, NOVEMBER BÅND, 1921.

THE LATE' 'MR. WILLIAM GEORGE LAY.

PULPIT REFERENCE. BY THE BISHOP OF VICTORIA.

Specal reference was made in the service

CHILD SLAVERY UNDER THE

BRITISH.FLAG. - » COLONIAL OFFICE TURNS A BLIND EYE TO INHUMAN SYSTEM OF JUVENILE LABOUR.

1%

Cheung Chun, postal despatchman at St. John's Cathedral on Sunday even- "İBY W, CHARLES PILLEY, ASSISTANT EDITOR employed of Messrs. Jardine, Mathesoning to the death of the late Mr, William

& Co., wtd., general managers of the Fade-Chi Steam Navigation Co., Ltd Wan indicted "on several counts for Iorgery.

The Company did not usk for the prisoner to be dealt with leniently, said Counsel; they looked upon this as a very serious offence. 1 was very difficult to detest these frauds and they had been going on for over a year..

The prisoner was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

FORGED NOTES.

Lin Kan was indicted on four counts for uttering and being in possession of swenty-six one-plustre Banque de l'Indo Chine notes.

"Mr. Lay's motto was thorough'; he was thorough in all he did, in work, in recreation, in religion. He was & re gular worshipper in this Cathedral and it was his desire, when he retired next year (he toll me) to devote himself to the service of the Diocese. He has entered upon a more perfect service in Heaven We do not mourn for our dear ones as keeping of the Most High." men without hope; they are safe in the

LIFE IN THE FAST. "THE STUPID THINGS WE DO." A PREACHER'S PUBLIC CONFESSION. The preacher at St. John's Cathedral, on Sunday morning, was the Rey. C. E Spencer, sab-Dean of Shanghai Cathe dral.

Wo

OF JOHN BULL."')" George Lay. Commissioner of Chinese I fancy it will come as a shock to most Dealing with the subject-of-St.-Peat's Custors The organist proyed. O. Rest people to learn that within the contines conversion on the road to Damsacus, the in the Lord" as a voluntary, the acting of the British Empire there exists an preacher said that the general theme of Cathedral Chaplain (the Rev. J. Ttenanced by the faw and upheld by a into two classes of men and women- organised system of child slavery, coun- the modern novelist divided the world Mr. A. Dyer Rail, who prosecuted for Holman) offered a prayer for those that section of public opinion. It is in the saints and sinners,-the hero and the the Crown, said that the prisoner was

mourn, and the Bishop of Victoris (the Settlement of Hongkong that this odious villain.

This view wajs great majority of men and women were wrong; the Rev. Dr. C. R. Duppuy), in his sermon, scandal beaminches the British name, An educated man and was able to read, write and speak English. The frauds spoke of the lows the Cathedral had the Colonial Office that the practice us,"

and, in spite of repented assurances from remote from either extreme. Most of bad extended over a long period of time sustained in the death of Mr. Lay

he continued, *་ would shartly be abolished there has jelly fish, sofe and malleable, standing are just Babby and as a result of the prisoner's trickery Messrs. Wardine Matheson & Co. had"

The Bishop's text

up to nothing and yielding to every set the words, been little or no abatement of its main WAS been defrauded to the extent of nearly

"Trust in the Lord and do good," from did long ago in regard to Chinese labour sounds severe, but is it not truel

evils. The politicians may argue, as they of circumstances in our path. That $800 in one year. The man was in charge Psalm 37,- Pasim, he observed, written in the Transvaal mines, that the use of the are the creatures of our environ- of the coolies who took mails from the by an old man who thus summed up the the word slavery in this connection ment and we shelter behind that arga Company's ships to the Post Office, whore be obtained a receipt for the number of quiet trust in the unseen which had been that the children conscripted for domestic

is a terminological inexactitude," and ment, especially out East,, where we say. bage handed over.

Well, if you come out Bast you do as Messrs. Jardine, the secret of his life and would bring him service in Hongkong are happy in a ser East does, or else you sink. There is a Blatheson paid a certain sum (five or ten peace at the last. After developing and vitude which affords a certainty of food still small voice within us that tells us cents) for coolie hire in respect of each applying this theme the Bishop said: and shelter. Unfortunately, there is a

that is not true. We are apt to thick bag, and by merely altering the number. on the receipts the prisoner, in making" I have been speaking of the Psalmist's mass of evidence which tells in the con that conversion only applies to those up his weekly account for coolio. hire experience, but all the time I have been trus direction; and if half these stories people who used to be drunk and are. are true there is a case not merely for now saber, who used to be constantly in could defraud the Company of consider thinking of another life to-night, The a able sums.

The fraads were discovered life of every good mac is. gift from God searching inquiry but for strong and re- debt and are now, by some flake, solvent. oving to working arrangement with and is given for our learning. Tonight Government. Briefly described, the mui people in those circumstances and, again, solute action on the part of the Imperial We limit our view of conversion to the Manila office whereby that office we espec ally thank God for the life of our should notify the Hongkong office when not know him without feeling that he was

brother, William George Lay. One could buying and selling of young Chinese girls

isal system, as it is called, involves the we are wrong.' they sent over a certain number of bags.

The preacher described the conversion In one consignment 250 bags were sup

a man of God and he was gathered to his for domestic service both in European of St. Paul, a little man, mean of posed to have been sent and the Hong of God whom we in this Colony have lost sent risk that in the hands of unscrupu way of personality, noming very prepos rest only a few days after that other man and Asiatic families, with the ever-pre-stature, with nothing very much in the kong othee asked why they had not been-Alexander Mackenzie. notined. The Manila office replied that William George Lay had been a resident the gravest moral daugers.

For 41 years ous employers they may be exposed to sessing about him-probably a little de-

There is, formed-looking very it and anaemic; [ they had only "sent 25 bags and this led in China and everywhere he went he was unhappily, little doubt that in many in- nothing very much in his appearance to to the detection of the fraud.

a quiet wituesa for God. traces of his influence in many places that wezi trai has become simply a cloak for alight in the world; yet he was destined I have met tances the old-established "institution of suggest the firebrand that sets things I have visited in China. In a few weeks prostitution of the most degrading kind. Ita set the world alight was he a bad time I am to dedinate the new Church at Much of the evidence to hand is of an man made into a good one" asked the Macro and many who will assemble there appalling nature. Once a child slave has preacher. You know quite well he be will recall the services held in the Commis been purchased by a single cash payrient longed to Boner's House, when Mr. Lay was Com she passes into the despotic control of Pharisees; he

the strictest sect of the missioner at Macao, after the old Church her employer, who, if he be brutally in- give tithes of all he possessed-tenth, was eno accustomed to had fallen into such disrepair that it clined needs no further licence for mark you. could not be used.

I don't do that; do you? cruelties of the worst description." The Do you give tenth of your time to worked to exhaustion, exposed to every your faculties, a tenth of your opport poor child may be starved and beaten. God, a tenth of your money, a tenth of variety of ill-treatment, and none has the unities here publicly confess that I right to interfere. In every sense but the do not. St. Paul was not a bad man purely legal she is the property of her before his conversion, but he was wrong master, and the evidenco collated by he had a part of religion, a little code painstaking inquirers leaves no room for of ethics in which he was entombed, ove doubt that in many instances this des need a conversion like St. Paul's that potic power has been foully abused... will alter our whole outlook upon life and These things are happening, be remem apoft religion. It would not then be bered, in a Colony which owns the direct necessary to talk about keeping the sway of the British Crown.

Sabbath, for instance. At present our The mui tsai system is an extension of life is out of balance Look at the a practice obtaining widely in Obina, but stupid, senseless things we do. Look at banish such pagan infamies from a Bri-place like the East for getting things. it ought, surely to be an easy matter to our amusements. Did you ever know, a tish Settlement. question has been fought largely upon through the day's work with the one idea Unfortunately, the in the wrong proportion, where men go economic grounds, and the owners of child of getting to a tea-dansant at the end; slaves are marshalled in defence of their numbers of men, otherwise sane, sensible,

rights

Not long ago, a mass meeting businesslike and methodical, a number of white-washing resolutions women out East spend their day trifling of employers was held in Hongkong and through life like that.

How many adopted, the main criticisms of the mus away their time unwilling partly unable tai system being skilfully evaded.Even-to accept any sort of really responsible so, there were significant admissions as work, with no powers of concentration, for example, that the owners of these in- dentured drudges had the fullest right to suppose it is not wicked, but it is so

no purpose and no scheme in life. inflict corporal punishment and to dispose absurdly foolish. of their persons even to the extent of a

After his conversion re-sale. from this and other similar evi-

Paul was blind for three days. May the dence which is to be had in abundate of righteousness blind us if by losing it is clear that, the British Government two eyes our souls may see.”- have been seriously misled upon this ques tion by their advisers on the spot.

For Defendant admitted the charge.

instance, it was not so very long.ago that Inspector Watts said the opium was Mr. Amery, on behalf of the Colonial THEFT AT MORRISON HILL. hidden in the door spacing of defendant's Secretary, was blandly assuring a Parlia cabin. The opium was wrapped up in Hongkong were simply adopted daugh- mentary inquirer that the child slaves of herbs and marked "medicine." When ters, against whose employment in house- charged by the Inspector the accused hold duties no reasonable objection could stated that the parcel had been given to be urged. I should like Mr. Churchill to him by a friend at Waidhow, who had answer the specific paints raised by the Bunque Lodustrielle de China, residing At the instance of Mr. Mizzan, of the asked him to take it to Swatow.

intimate study of the mui teat system at convict and a house-coolie were charged Hoa H. E. Pollock, K.C., who, after an at No, 1, Morrison Hill, a Chinese ex- clos: quarters, roundly condemns it as before Mr. Orme, at the Magistracy, a cloak for purchasing girls for the pur-yesterday, with stealing a blanket, a pose of their becoming prostitutes." Be- dressing jacket and other articles of tween this view and that of Mr. Amery clothing the property of the complain. there is a gulf which no sophistry can ant bridge, and such evidence as I have been The articles were missed from the com. able to collect leaves no doubt whatever in plainant's room on Sunday and a report: my mind that in this matter the Colonial was at once made to the Wanchai Police. Office has been made the victim of design Early yesterday morning a Chinese detec. ing misrepresentation. If these tive arrested a man who went into a things were happening nearer home, the pawnshop with a blanket and dressing Government would be given no rest till jacket, which proved to be part of the such grievous wrongs were righted.

As missing property. soon as Parliament reassembles, the atten- ion of the Colonial Secretary should again be drawn to a scandal which gravely involves the prestige of the British

The Attorney-General (Mr. J. H. Kemp, K.C.), who prosecuted for the Crown, explained, that the prisoner, on Ostober 18th, wear to a money-changer's stall af Sai-wan-ho and tendered nine notes, pur porting to be one-piastra notes of the shop was away and the joki in charge accepted them. When the master return. ed he found the notes were not genuine. Next day the prisoner came back with seventeen more notes and the money changer refused to accept them. Prisoner then went to another money-changer in the same village. This man told prisoner that the notes were forged and he retain. ed the notes and gave the prisoner in ebarge.

When charged at the Police Station, the Attorney-General said, prisoner maintained that it was a case of mistaken identity as to the first day and, with regard to the second day, he stated that be had nothing to say. The main point, the Attorney-General toid the Jury was whether they were satisfied that prisoner knew that the notes were forged when he passed or attempted to pass them.""

The Jury empanelled were Messrs. J. H. Parr (foreman), Chan Shin-tsun, C. E. W. Kew, A. E. Farrell, A. T. Groot, A. E. .Glover and A. E. Scott.

After evidence had been called a verdict of guilty was returned.

The Judge asked the Attorney-General if there had been much forgery of this kind in the Colony,

The Attorney-General replied that there Sentence of five years' imprisonment was passed.

had been a good deal.

RETURNED FROM BANISHMENT.

Two banishees who had returned to the Colony were each sentenced to five years' imprisonment. The two men had both beer banished for life.

COMPANY MEETING. GENERAL EXCHANGE CO.

An extraordinary general meeting of the above named Company was bold at No. 10, Des Voeux Road, Central, yester day afternoon. There was a large atten dance of Chinese shareholders present.

:

OPIUM CASES. Mr. G. N. Orme, at the Magistracy, yesterday morning, dealt with a very large number of opium cases. Most of the charges were minor offences and the usual fue for smoking without licence was between $2 and 83."

LARGE OPIUM HAUL ON STEAMER.

DEFENDANT': $8,000 SMILE.

Whilst engaged in searching the 8.8. osui Karu, lying off West Point, Chief Preventive Officer Watts discovered and seized 600 taels of raw opium valued at $1,500. One of the Chinese members of the crew was arrested and brought Mr. Orme yesterday on the charge of being in unlawful possession of the drug.

A sentence of eight months imprison- ment, as tho alternative to a fine of $8,000 was imposed.

The accused on hearing the sentence smiled broadly and continued to smile as ho was being led out. of Court.

"INCREASING THE REVENITE.?'” Mr. C. F. Mason, appeared before Mr. G. N. Grme, at the Magistracy, yesterday morning, on behalf of three Chinese, out of a party of nine Chinese who were charged with being in possession of 12 taels of opium and also with smoking without a license. All nine men admitted the two charges.

were smoking Government opium.

Inspector Watts said that all the men

Mr. Mason: That makes the charge less serious,

-J|

Mr. Mason: They were also increas The Magistrate: Yes, a little.

The Deputy Chairman, Mr. Liang Kwei Tin proposed the following resola tion:--

"That the capital of the Companying the revenue of the Colony.

A £re of 88 was imposed in each case.

be increased to 210,000,000 by the crea tion of 100,000 additional shares of $50 each, ranking for dividend and in all other respecta pari pass with the exist ing 100,000 shares in the Company." The proposition was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously, there being no discussion.

This was the only business before the meeting.

THEFTS AT THE STEAM

LAUNDRY.

Cown.

Baya:

EX-CONVICT TRIES TO PAWN STOLEN GOODS.

Inspector Blackman said that nothing could be proved against the house coolie.

The house-coolie was accordingly dia charged while sentence of six months was passed on the ex-convict, on an amended charge of having received stolen pro- perty.

wanted man had been identided as an ox Inspector Blackman said that the ar- convict just discharged from gaol. On being questioned as to where the re mainder of the clothing was the accused CHILD SLAVERY IN HONGKONG.showed him a crevice in the rocks where took the detective up the hill side and The Woman's Leader of October 7th He then made a statement to the police the remainder of the clothing was hidden. Those who have follewed the course of that the clothing had been given to him events with regard to the child slavery in a house coolie employed at No. 1, Hongkong, both in the House of Parlia Morrison Hill. Accused alleged that the meat and in the Colony itself, will be in-coolie naked am to pawn the clothes. terested to know that a mass meeting was convened there on July 30th last by the chief supporter of the mui trai custom in the Colony, the Hon. Mr. Lau Chn Pak, A Chinese laundry hand, employed by an unofficial member of the Legislative the Steam Laundry Co., was charged at Council, and the chief adviser of the Sec the Magistracy, yesterday, at the in retary for Chinese Affairs, and (in all stance of Mr. A. D. Gee, manager of the matters relating to the Chinese) of the Steam Laundry Co., with stealing two Governor himself. In giving notice of the bags of indigo blue, a jacket and two meeting be issued an invitation to "distitution is forbidden by law, therefore it picces of clothing. The case was heard old practice of keeping servant does not take place with regard to mus

girls "

(which is his description of this "CANTON STATEMENT NOT HIS OWN,morning at 10 o'clock, he was called to ideals of freedom and justice), and 500 Colonial Office repeatedly deny that there Mr. Gee, gave evidence that on Sunday custom, which is so contrary to British fai, but only in the case of children who. are bought for adoption." (The the watchman's post where the prisoner Chinese availed themselves of it.. For one been detained with two bags, twenty pressed

is connection the adopted" Mr. Rodney. Gilbert telegraphing from he was not allowed to take clothing out because this custom goes on nnchecked in for immoral purposes. On December éta, contained clothing. "Prisoners, which following points, upon his audience. That children in Hongkong, and the purchase Peking, on November 15th, to NC. Daily News said

the side to be washed, except on certain China, therefore it was not forbidden by 1920, Mr. Amery spoke of these children days when employés were allowed to take the Colonies stated in the Houes on May viser in Chinese matters to the Hongkong Chinese, law. (The Under-Secretary for Mr. Shortt. Now, we have the chief ad-

41 LA Lord Northcliffe is interviewing jourout personal belonginge for washing.

adopted daughters" in replying to naliste, evincing grent eagerness for in-

4th, 1921, that this custom is illegal in A foki by the Steam Laundry also gave China) That this practies is, in the Government stating in public that those formation, but he is giving no inter- evidence, identifying the articles pro- greater number of instances, a view.

He says the statement from Canton was ing he missed certain articles of clothing a sale. He did not add, what was subse

duced in Court as bis On Sunday morn- tion (for money, be it noted:) and not generally make special arrangements with who buy and keep girls for prostitution a quotation from Dr. Wa Ting-fang who and these were found in prisoners' room. quently, stated by Dr. Yeung, that the to The Hon. Mr- the Larents, and pay higher prices complaiced that the foreign Press was and also two pillow cases belonging to presentation is permitted to go further Lau Chu Pak declared at a later point in

for

Then, and in inaccessible. He says his message on witness stitutes no endorsement as interpreted Defendant said he took the clothing by make a present of her to somebody eltem were suppressed, the concubine-sys- still, and the poserBBOT of a niti tau call the proceedings that if the mui tsai sys- if he has a mind to Mr. Lau Chu Paktem would also have to go. This remark

(Continued of foot of acet cohamn.) leaves one pondering.

LORD NORTHCLIFFE IN PEKING.

BUT DR. WU TING-FANG'S.

by Mr. Orme.

in China, but was published to afford mistake...

an opportunity only for. Canton's expres

The Recursed was sent to

2.

presenta-

zion of views on grounds of fair play.six weeks with hard la prison for Bad further that because buying for pros of his," and indeed, the whole subject,

INKER

T

OYS

INY

TH

OTS

FOR

TOY SHOWROOM NOW OPEN

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.

MANDER BROTHERS

OLSINA

le dernier mot

WATER PAINTS.

Partioulsrs and shade books on application.

SOLD AGENTE:

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.

Tel. 1741.

THE FOX-TROT

HONGKUNG

OF THE HOUR

"HUMMING”

(No, 3358).

ATI

ANDERSON'S

Powell

TREEPHONE 3148

ATLAS REG

SHIRTS

TAFFETA FLANNEL CAMBRIC,

AND

PYJAMAS

WEAR

and

DYE GUARANTEED.

DRESS SHIRTS A speciality

With Stiff or Soft

Double Caft

DRESS SHIRTS A speciality.

This High-Clast make is BETTER MADE, BETTER- MATERIALA BETTER CUT thus ensuring perfect comfort than other makes.