1925-07-28 — Page 3

HONGKONG VOICES ITS OPINIONS.

GREAT MASS MEETING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

PROMPT AND FIRM ACTION DEMANDED FROM

HOME GOVERNMENT.

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF HE. THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY REGULATIONS.

RESOLUTIONS TO BE BROADCAST IN HOME PAPERS.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 28TH, 1925-

With no uncertain voice Hongkong last evening expressed its opinion of the strike in the Colony and of the causes which lie behind the un- rest in China greiterally. The demonstration of unanimity was remark- pole. Long before the hour for which the moting was called the City. Hall was led to overflowing & move was then made to the Theatre Royal and within a few minutes this building was packed from floor to ceiling. People crowded the corridors and many could not secure nd- mission. The attendance was thoroughly representative of all sections of the community, and in spite of the general recognition of the serious ness of the position and the importance of the questions to be discussed. was very much greater than any of the promoters had anticipated. In fact it was for Hongkong a record gathering and proves conclusively the consention the Daily Press bas always put forward that the Hoag kong public will set in unison if it is given, the ppportunity and, good leadership. We think that the Hon Mr. Holyoak deserves and witt receive the thanks of all residents for having taken that initiative which it was so much desired that some one holding a prominent position in the public life of the Colony wouh! take,

In spite of the sweltering heat the crowded andiener sac for two Jears and listened, attentively to the speeches nude in submitting the various resolutions. There was no doubt about their interest. The out- standing points made were quickly seized and loudly applauded. Every- one appeared fully to recognise the particular purpor" for which the tareting had been called and the importines ef. the objects to be achieved. Domestic affairs and the discussion of the local strike occupied only a small proportion of the time. The general desire, was that Hongkong should wake its collective opinion known, Erstly in order to help correct the unistakra impression at Home that the warest in China is due to labour conditions and secondly, hi order to strengthen the hands of the Home and local Governments in nnpting firia measures to repress the agitators who have caused, and are still causing, all the trouble.

A splendid step towards this end was taken, and it is now hoped that all the Treaty ports will follow the great example which Hongkong has given them.

thars that which

they decupled prior to · NO SERIOUS OBJECTIONS. leaving. I do not wish to advocate is The objections. to registration which I policy of retaliation but there have been have heard expressed, and reail of in the two strikes in the last three years. In papers, do not strike me as very morious, the first strike wa were soft and overjust I cannot see why, in hould cause dis- in our settlement but that settlement was content. All of us hada been accustom- made in the hope that the trouble would ed ever site the war began to bhtain hayer occur again. Now the time has passports with our photographs in du come for the Colony to show that strikers plicate. We submit, without a marmur cannot leave their employment without to the indignity of stating our ages, our suffering some penalty. It is true that physical disabilities, our distinguishing the majority left becuase they were marks-why should Chinese domestics timidated and we can temper justice with take these matters more to heart than marey, bus with perhaps a little less

we do (Applause.) merey than on the Inst occasior (Loud applause)

There is in force at the moment.com- pulsory registration for Europeaes, by Mr. W. 8. Bailey; in secondlag the the Police authorities, in connection with resolution, said: These strikers have essential services, All domestics at done their utmost to paralyse our trade home have a form of registration' undes and na business. or Colony can exist indo-the National Insurance Act. Moreover, finitely without adequate income. The fit is the custom here with a number of conomic losses of both European and the large business concerns to register Chinese businesses are alike very hey all their Chinese staff who are in per and must seriously react on staffy employ-minent employ. Furthermore, all inden- ed and on wages paid for some time to tured labour is registered through the, There appears no just cause for S.CA. As regards finger prints I do not this strike the employees having ab consider that is absolutely necessary. solutely nothing of which to consplain. The photograph in duplicate-one on the British firms especially British ship

card to be filed as the Bureau, and the liberal and ping firms, the most generous of employers, distributing other on the card held by the domestic- yearly thousands of dollars gratuity to is all that would necessary, and it could employees, together with other benefits-be made an offerce punishable by a fine these firms have been discriminated for any one 11 tamper with a registration against and all thoir vessels abandoned card while rival vessels under the Chinese flag and paying lower wages have been allow. ed to run.

come.

GOVERNMENT REGISTRATION.

23

one

Rever

Because the Law has been inoperative in Ceylon, as we are told, only seems to LOYAL WORKERS.`.

me to show at it is no longer necessary Business in the Colony, both Chinese there, and should such registration be- and European, have lost money right come law in 3 oluny it will probably. through this strike and have paid salaries die a natural death if it is found there and wages not from profit but from 13 no longer any call for it. To my mind capital, thereby reducing the earting of it is necessary that tas registration, if these businesses and preventing them, carried out, should be done by the Gov- however willing they may be, from giving ernment. There is no reason for it to aployees in future the same, liberalbe a financial drag on the Colony, for An the fees for ultion should far more terms and gratuities as formerly, attempt has been made to starve us out than pay for the personnel of the office. financially by cutting of our source of registry otice run as a private concert income. That attempt has only failed does not appeal to me. I bave had some of complete success by the splendid unexperience of such emces, and from the selfish work of our own people, our own attitude of some of them it would seem residents of all races, and by the loyal that it is to their interest for one to service of the many Chinese workers who change one's servants as often as pos have stood so faithfally by us. (Cheers.)sible. (Laughter and applause.) With such complete unity and cheerful de As regards an employer giving a ser termination as has been shown we could want a bad character without due cause, I think it will be found that people are never be beaten, but surely our arst duty is to reward those who have so worked too afraid of the law of libel to make As regards for us and not the strikers whose action, that objection a serious one.

written characters these are useless unless accompanied by

13 photo- The Chairman, who on rising to speak They did not want to strike. The memo has so deeply injured both us and them.

graph,

knowa whe. JUSTICE TEMPERED WITH"MERCY. was greeted with loud cheers, said thairis and discomforts of the last strike

character

Was produced and the non-fullment of false promises

There may be some who would formerly ther the he was one of those who believed that a by the labour unions were too fresh in public meeting should only be called on the memories of most of them to do so. have dealt more leniently with strikers, ever written for the individual who rare" occasions, but that when justifies. Yet, at the bidding of alief agitators but later developments have certainly presents it. The ones used are generally from Canton and as the reshit of intimi- warranted their adoption of a stronger written by a resident who has long since tion arose it had great value. Such a dation they flet in terror and for five attitude in this respect. By leaving left, the Colony, so that there is no means occasion had now arisen, as was apparent weeks we have been dealing with the without notice strikers have dismissed of verifying same. I am therefore still to "anyone who knew the psychology of consequences. It must first be realised themselves, and are liable to forfeiture to be convinced that there is any valid and stated that we have no quarrel with of a month's pay in lieu of notice, and objection to the official registration,, of the people of the Colony, and it had the Chinese with whom for over 70 years to prosecution, and it would be due to servants save the trouble entailed, and bera decided to call together such a meet-we have lived and worked upon terms of us and due to our loyal employees that re. it is to the interest of the community “ing to consider not only questions with the closest friendship and mutual trust. turning arikers be dealt with thus strictly that it should be undertaken, then that regard to the situation in the Colony but They have no real grievance agafast us according to British Law; otherwise there objection should be over-ruled. I have wider and still more important questions nor we with them, and the cause of the can be no security for future traders or mich pleasure in seconding this resolu involved by the general unrest in China. strike and the present trouble must be workers of any nationality in the Colony. tion. (Lond Applause.)

looked for in other directions than to Justice should be tempered with mercy, Mr. Russell said that the seconder of (Applause,)

Chinese sources. The fact is that for long is expressed by the Resolution, which the resolution seemed rather to be in CHINESE UNOFFICIALS.

past the Bolshevik conspiracy has been calls for the cancellation of June wages favour of an amendment to the motion The Chinese unofficial members of the abroad in all parts of China and more only, although we cannot forget that in so far as the registration of servants Legislative Couneil, said the Chairman especially since the support given it a the mercy shown by us after the strike was concerned. To his mind the dif have asked me to state that their absence the south by the late Dr. Sun Yat Sea of 1992 was apparently mistaken for culty of registration could be overcome Bolshevik principles weakness on our part. Let us be merci-by utilising the various Residents' As- from the meeting is not due to any lack propagate the of sympathy whatsoever with our cbjects which openly set out to destroy the very ful but strong and just, just to ourselves, sociations as registration bureaux. For but they felt that possibly resolutions principles of civilisation, of law. and and our wives and families and to our instance the Reak Residents' Association At loyal workers who have so suffered and could have Penk servants registered and would be adopted which would later he order, and of international trade.

barrassing to them in carrying out the present moment it is specially direct- will suffer by this strike. their duties as members of the Counciled against the British but it must I new ask you, Ladies and Gentlemen, in a view with which I can sympathies ultimately re-act upon those nations to support our laws and Government and and I am sure this meeting will feel like which at present are disinclined to accept support the interest of our own people. wise. The Chinese unofficial members, the barden of the fight, but who subse and loyal helpers by voting unanimously The resolution was carried with ac prior to the strike, had done their utmost quently will be dragged into the whirl for the resolution. (Applause.).

clamation. to prevent it, and since it began had pool of trouble which must embrace the done their utmost to mitigate its effects, whole civilised world unless the threaten- (Applause.) The community had uning growth of cancer in the body politie

This meeting requests the Hongkong doubtedly been helped by the loyal Chinn ia cut out ere it grows too Chinese who had remained and helped te. Even the missionaries who to day Government to co-operate in the estab said that Me. Bird was probably aware

have thrown in their lot in the support of the principles now dictated by Bolshe-ishment of a voluntary system of regis as well as he (the Chairman) was how vism have reason to flee in terror from tration of office employees and domestic this question was discussed by Govern sanatatement behind the scenes even before the servants.

The Chairman: This second resolution strike arose. This resolution before them the aftermath which it is likely to pro- voke. (Cheers.)

deals with a highly controversial and had been proposed to see what some form Believing this, as we do, resolution difficult subject. The subject has been of voluntary registration would achieve, No 5 is proposed not in any spirit of discussed behind the scenes on several If it was proved that there was suf by remaining loyal. To those who re-antagonism tocar ancient Chinese occasions even before this strike began. I ficient interest in voluntary registration mained they needs must pay a tribute of friends, but with the sincere belief that have taken part in those discussions and the Government would no doubt be, will honest admiration because, they remained by the eradication of the Bolshevista from I know the mares and difficulties: that ing to go forward with it. That was why their midst lies not only the hope of there are in it.. The registration of the resolution had been put forward in domestics in a mild form, however, as an what might be considered a lokewarm that there had ever been such an oppor experiment, is not only possible but ought and mild manner. He did not think to be brought into force

The Hon. Mr. H. W. Bird, in seconding tanity as this for the introduction of a NO WAGES FOR JUNE.. the resolution said:-I do not for one system of registration. A few weeks ago moment suggest that if the registration servants who remained at work in the The Chairman then submitted the first of domestic servants becomes an accom Colony were terrified by a red dagger resolution on the agenda which was aplished inct it will prove to be a panacea drawn on paper. To day these servants for all our troubles, but it is my honest came sad asked for a chit saying that follows:-

It is recommended that no wages belief that it would be to the general they had given faithful service. Why? be paid for June to returning benefit of the community if registration To protect them from the Hongkong strikers and that careful rovision of terms and conditions be made undertaken on the right lines. We Police and not to protect them from soran should think of, those who are coming imaginary dagger. (Applause)The upon their re-employment.

Falter is and endeavour to make this Government had done its utmost to pre The law staten, said the Chairman, that type of so called strike-where the ac vent the strike but if it had been possible there is no necessity to pay any wages tual strikers, had no grievance,more to concentrate on the means used in the for June; in fact, damages can be ob difficult. Although I do not suggest that last ten days of house-to-house searching, that must have disastrous economic tained from serrants for leaving without such registration would stop strikes it is of stopping people in the streets and fects on the Chinese add ourselves alike, notice. I think I have authorisation for my opinion that it would be a partial searching them not half of those who went Whatever may be said of the first strike, stating that the employees of the Govern-safeguard. (Applause.) It would be's on strike would have done so,

The Chairman then put the resolution this time there was absolutely no enusement Civil, Military and Naval who form of combination on the part of en or justification for it. The workers and struck will on their return be taken back ployers to counter the combination of to the meeting and it was carried unani. - employees had no grievance, and com- only, if their services are essential and employees and that is recognized all the mousty. Flete harmony prevailed everywhere, they will all be placed in a lower grade world over as equitable. (Applause.)

le carry on the essential services during

u strike of Chinesa against the British in a British Colony. (Cheers.)

Continuing, the Chairman said that the Brilish nation's recognition of fair deal- ing was acknowledged generally. May of the Chinese had “played the game

to

in spite of threats an what would happen to them. (Applause.).

Dealing with the resolutions the Chair man said:The first and second deal with what may be described as purely 'domestic questions arising out of strike conditions in Hongkong, The third, fourth and fifth deal more particularly with the political situation and mors especially in so far as it affects South China in which we are peculiarly inter ested. The last resolution details a tele- gram to be sent to the Home prees with the hope that it may correct by a plain akitement of truth, some of the false in- pressions existing.

For the second time in less than three years this Colony has had to face a strike

international salvation in all dealings with Chian but the preservation of her own rights and country from utter des truction. (Applause.).

REGISTRATION,

the. Kowloon Residents' Association could

do the same as far as Kowloon was con ceracy!.

Mr. L. M. Whyte suggested that regis

particular part of the community. At tration should not be confined to any. the present time Europeans had to have passports and the system might be ex- tended to the Chinese community, They ebould avoid any invidious distinctions

The Chairman in reply to Mr. Whyte

(Continue on page.ü.).

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