1925-12-29 — Page 3

Page

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH,

THE UNITED ASBESTOS ORIENTAL AGENCY, LTD.

Tel, Central 3se.

2, Queen's Buildings.

16

SOLE AGENTS FOR

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MANUFACTURERS OF

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2. QUEEN'S BUILDINGS,

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Brewed and bottled by the PALATINE BOTTLING OʻLY.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

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The days in which we live render it more difficult to maintain a con- dition of perfect health all the time. The system gets "run-down' with rush and worries.

Hence the necessity for a health-build- ing medicineone which will assist the restoration of health and will build Health-building is up the system. greatly facilitated by the regular use

THE TRADE. SITUATION IN CHINA.

REPORT OF THE BRITISH COMMERCIAL ATTACHE.

(Continued from Yesterday.)

CONTINUAL STRIKES. The most disquieting feature of the labour situation in Chinaa is the tendency, growing for some years past, and in- creasingly manifest daring the last twelve- months, for ecntrol of the trades unions and guilds to pass into the bands of political agitators. The development of modern industrialiem in China has been over-rapid and ill-regulated, and the con- ditions existing in some factories, more especially those in native hands, are un- doubtedly open to criticism, while the dificulty of adjusting wages to meet the

itravelling are so uncomfortable and un- certain that most foreigners now preter, if possible, to make the journey to the north by sea.

The most serious factor of the railway situation is that although there has been no further outbreak, of hostilities for several months past the military leaders refuse to relinquish altogether their grip on the main trunk lines, and seem 'detor- mined to subordinate entirely the com mercial needs of the country to their own ambitions. There has admittedly been

vices maintained on the principal sy3- some improvement recently in the ser-

continuous increase in the cost of living also causes much hardship. The discontens, and the foreign engineering staffs. have done wonders in restoring the dam. tent resulting from these grievances sup- plies an excellent basis for the profes.nge sustained by the permanent way, sional propagandist, foreign and native, locomotives and rolling-stack, but the to work on. An instance of this danger-equipment still remains far below the ous development is to be found in the needs of the traffic and much of the pro strike which occurred in February of this perty of the railways has not yet been year among the Chinese employed in the recovered from the militarists. It may Japanese cotton mills at Shanghai," and be mentioned also that even such limited which exceeded in scope and violence any space as is available for the transport of local labour trouble in recent years. At cargo van in many cases only be secured arose out of the dismissal of a few men by paying exorbitant bribes to the local for incompetence, but was seized upon military or civil authorities controlling the by the Chinese Communist Party ns an railway area. excuse for a display of their power: Student agitators from the Shanghai University took

41

the shipping trade in China, more especi. At the time of writing the position of ally as regards British interests, was

יי

1925

U

ODE F Z

E

N

Starting TO-DAY,

D. W. GRIFFITH'S

WONDERFUL.

STORY

OF THE CIRCUS

SALLY OF THE

SAWDUST

IN TWELVE REELS

WITH SPECIAL MUSICAL SETTING.

USUAL PRICES.

VACANCY for as

VACANCY Exists for Energetic Prospect as PAHTNER in

Real Estate Firm Shortly Opening BRANCH OFFICE in SINGAPORE. Previous Experience Not Entirely Essential Pro- vided Prospect is Energetic. Applications Entertained at P.O. Box 484, Hongkong,

COTTON PIECE-GOODS The past year (1994) has been a difficult and unprofitable period for firms interested in Manchester, goods, and it would be idle

time to come. At the beginning of 10% to expect any great improvement for some

HONGKONG STOCK EXCHANGE.

CLOSING QUOTATIONS.

DECEMBER 28TH, 1925. Hongkong Bank.... $1,015-bay., 1,000 ss. Do.. London.. £127 nom. Mercantile Bank, A. & В..... 29 nom. Chartered Bank.

Do., P. & O. Hay

Bank

China

Underwriter North China Insurance Union Yangisze Insurance

Insurance "001-

China Fire Insurance

Insurance.. Hongkong Fire (Douglases dipambata

and with easier money conditions it was expected that a good volume of busines? would be put through. The usual annual settlement at China New Year passed of satisfactorily, the Chinese banks and dealers having made fair profits on the previous twelve months' trading, but. owing to the general lack of confidence

Shell Transporta in the political situation and the high Star Ferries..... prices ruling in Manchester, the market Waterbosts.......

Oriental Navigationa showed no sign of any great activity. For China Sugars..... the first half of the year, however, trad-Malabon Bugars....

(f) nom.

..213) nom.

201

..$600 nom 82 buy. Ts. 140 nom. $254 nom.

35 bay.

$160 nom.

$35*4*40*4

sei.

009***

Bangkong Tugs...... .34g sei. Indo-Chinas (Frat.)$50 nom.

Do. (Def.), London...865 el. Do.

365 sal

Kalan bining Ad..

augusts.. Langkats (combined) Do. (single).... Shanghai Explorations. Shanghai Loans Baube ************

Mines. Tronoh Ural Caspians.

Wharfs.. HK & K H.K. & W. Docka

dificulties of the question, it is safe to sand miles of good roads already built results of the year's trading were very Hongkoninis (Lip.).....

B.E.

Humphreys Estates.... Prince's Building.....

Ewo Rural Lands......

Cottons

Orientals.

Do.

(new)..

Shanghai Cottons (old)

musements Baments (combined) (old) Bo. (new) Chiss Bases......... Chins Lights (combined)

Do.

a leading part in the extremely gloomy. Owing to the general merchants were inclined to hope for bet direction of the movement, and large strike, most of the vessels helonging to ter times. as it was known that stocks Best Aria Bank ........ owing to their exertions over 30,000 opera the two principal local British shipping were insufficient for normal requirements. tives in twelve mills came out on strike. The strike lasted about a fortnight, and, companies had been lying idle for several although the operatives gained no sub weeks, and ocean-going steamers employ stantial concessions, the fact that the ing Chinese crews had been compelled to leaders were able to hold up the work cutout Shanghai as a port of call, curso of the mills for a long was advertised destined for this port being discharged by them as proof of the value of organisa. at Singapore or carried on

to Japan. Lion, and they are now urging the forma- British shipping is stil predominant on tion of a general textile union to include the China coast, taking more than forty- all cotton mill workers. Another strike, two per cent. of the total trade, and any affecting some six thousand employees of conditions tending to deprive it of that the Nanyang Tobacco Company, was also pre-eminence must have a disastrous largely brought about by Communist effect not only on the local interests con- agents, delegates from the Canton Labour cerned, but on the whole fabric of British Union coming up to Shanghai to reinforce trade and influence in this country. the efforts of local propagandists. In

ROAD BUILDING. Shanghai during the second half of 1924

One of the few encouraging develop and the first quarter of the present year there were in all fifty-six strikes affecting ments noticeable in China within the last nearly 90,000 workers, and although the few years has been the very marked ring was fairly good, and 1924 would majority of these disputes arose out of terest displayed by local authorities and probably have shown a satisfactory re- some real or nominal economie grievance, by the public generally in road-building turn to the merchant but for the outbreak they were in most cases embittered and schemes, and in spite of the difficulties

The general created by civil war and wide-spread dis of hostilities in August, which paralysed protracted by agitators. strike at Shanghai and elsewhere was of order the movement continues to make business for three months, and ever a similar nature.

steady progress. In an article published necessitated the closing down of the auc Strong efforts were made during the in a Shanghai journal some months ago, tions. The situation improved slightly in past year to procure the passage of local a list was given of roads already con- the late autumn, but dealers were in- legislation governing the employment of structed in various parts of the country: willing to do more than buy for immediate Hongtewe.. child labour in factories within the Inter- the total mileage amounting to about requirements, and the market was con- New Engineerings. national Settlement at Shanghai, and even thousand, and it was stated that gested with stocks accumulated during Shanghai Docks..... Although the special conditions existing this list was by no means comprehensive, the months of civil war, when little or H.K. & S. Hotels (old)....

the cargo could be shipped away. The Hongkong Tands in this country add considerably to the there being at least a further six thou- say that both the public generally and or under construction. In the list given unsatisfactory, both for the importers aca the majority of foreign non-Chinese mill in this article, practically every province the Chinese dealers, and as regards the owners were in full sympathy with the in China is included, those in which most latter it may be mentioned that nearly movement. Under the land regulations progress has been made being Kiangsu, fifty such firms closed their doors during of this Settlement, however, any legisla-Shantung, Shansi and Chihli, and more the last few weeks before China New tion of this nature requires the approval than half the roads are described as Year, involving the importing houses in of the ratepayers, and for reasons into being suitable for motor traffic. Without very heavy losses. In the early months which it is unnecessary to enter at present accepting these figures as being absolute of the present year deliveries of cotton it has been found in recent years almostly accurate, there can be ro question that goods were moderately satisfactory, but realisation of the necessity for improv very few orders were placed, and the impossible to secure the attendance at a special public meeting of the necessary ing the internal means of communication depression in the market has now cul- quorum of those entitled to vote. In this is growing in all parts of the country and minated in the total cessation of business case again two attempts to secure a that some thousands of miles of roads owing to the general strike declared at quorum proved unsuccessful, but the suitable for at least the lighter type of Shanghai, which at the moment of writing question will doubtless be revived once motor traffic have already been construct had already lasted nearly a month. more as soon as normal conditions have. In some cases, these roads have been built by local authorities or charit been restored in Shanghai.

able organisations as a means of finding DISORGANISED TRANSPORT.

employment for disbanded soldiers or It is impossible, writes Mr. Brett, famine refugees, but in many instances tion of Japanese goods, and to a lesser Constractions within the limits of his Report to give they are purely private enterprises, the extent of cloths of continental or local Dairy Farms....

Wing ((.p.) an adequate description of the state of company holding the concession having manufacture, has for some time been Der A utter disorganisation into which the rail-a monopoly of motor trafic and charging causing, considerable anxiety to those Hongkong extrics. way system of China has fallen since the tolls on all vehicles using the highway. firms whose interests are mainly centred Macao Electrics outbreak of hostilities between the Pro-This development, which is still only in in the importation of British cotton piece. H.K. Developments. vinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang in its infancy, is likely to have far-reaching goods, still the mainstay of our trade with E.K. Ropes (combined). September last year. The main trunk effects in opening up internal markets, China. In this connection, the statistics Do lines were promptly scized and occupied and one immediate result will naturally of imports of cotton piece-goods into Hongkong Tramways

an increased demand for motor China from Great Britain and Japan re

Lane Crawfords. IMPERIAL MERCHANT SERVICE by the opposing military forces;, passen be

ger and goods traffic was stopped alto-vehicles, both for passenger and goods spectively during the three pre-war years Macintosha. GUILD.

gether for weeks at a time; locomotives traffic. Mr. Brett would like at the same and the years 1921 to 1923 are illuminat and rolling stock were carried away to

expectation of an immediate market in positions of Great Britain and Japan beep DEATH OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN. other lines, where, when not actually metati emphasise the point that any ing, showing that, not merely have the employed in moving troops and supplies, China for large quantities of motor 'buses reversed as regards the percentage of the The Imperial Merchant Service Guild they stood empty in long lines on the and trucks, and especially for the heavier trade falling to each country, but that if Soine 1,850 high school and university students, representative of all sections in announce with deep regret the death, railway sidings or served as barracks for types of such vehicles, would be alto-spite of the great increase in the cost of America took part in a recent current after a short illness, of the Vice-Chair- officers and men. A report supplied together premature. A very large propor- cloths the actual value of imports from history teat, organised by the America man of the Management Committee, wards the end of last year estimated that tion of the new roads constructed in the United Kingdom in 1923 was less than Review of Reviews, says a Reuter New Captain E. M. Donovan. "The Officers of cut of 1,000 passenger cars and 10,000 country districts are of a primitive type, in any of the three years 1911 to 1013, the Merchant Service as a whole, and freight wagons operated by the four main insufficiently ballasted, and suitable at while that of Japan's imports have in- especially the members of the Guild, lines in North China, viz., the Peking the best of times only for the lighter creased by more than four hundred per Buffer a severe loss by the death of Mukden, Tientsin-Pukow, Peking-Hankow forms of motor "trafe, while after foods cent over the figures for the first-named Captain Donovan who had devoted him and Peking-Suyuan Railways, over. 2,500 they may be altogether impassable for year. During 1924 Great Britain's per- self to their interests for many years cars were missing. As the writer remark considerable periods. The Chinese com- centage of the trade was 35.73 per cent, past. In April last year he was elected ed: "Of course, railway carriages are panies running motor services are, as and Japan's 51.57 per cent Vice-Chairman of the Management Com- not easily concealed, and they cannot be rule, provided with little capital and their mittee after

previously serving on many anywhere else but on the tracks, but the main object is to procure a vehicle, at aub-Committees in connection with the simple fact is that there is no way to the lowest possible rizice, which can be Guild's work-he had on a number of oc locate them. The resulting shortage of made to serve their purpose. As a com mator 'buses" " casions since acted for the Chairman of rolling stock, coupled with its deteriora sequence most of the the Committee, Captain W. Baker, tion owing to ill-usage, made it extremely running on such roads are far from cor during the latter's illness. Captain difficult for the civil administration to responding with the usual English idéa Donovan first went to sea in 1832 and sub-waintain even partial services for goods of such a vehicle but are ordinary touring sequently held command, prior to going and passengers during lulls in hostilities, car chassis (frequently second hand) fitted into steam, of some famous Liverpool with the consequence that large quanti locally with very rough-and-ready bodies, sailing ships.

He retired from active tics of valuable and perishable commodi capable of seating about a dozen passen- service at sea in 1910 and since then ties were left to rot in the stations, and gers. The chief demand, both for pas had been a member of the Management pandemonium reigned whenever a passen senger and goods transport, is, in fact, Committee of the Guild in the work of ger train set out on its journey. Among for the cheapest possible vehicle, of light which Society he had taken a deep and other rolling-stock commandeered were weight, and capable of withstanding the Insting interest. He was the Guild re- the famous blue traina which used to hard usage of indifferent ronds and in- presentative on the local Committee of maintain the daily services between experienced chauffeurs The market for the Seamen's National Insurance Society, Peking and Shanghai on the Tientsin the more substantial and expensive type and on the Nautical College Com-Pukow Railway (and which, it may be of car, whether for passenger, or goods mitteo. Captains and Officers of the Mer- remarked, are still unpaid for), and traffic, is still very limited, being practic shant Service all over the world by his although some of the coaches have now ally confined to the few large ports where Administration's mines for the week rations of death will mourn the loss of a doughty been returned and the service has been good roads have been constructed by the

champion.

partially restored, the conditions of foreign municipalities."

of Beecham's Pills.

A sound digestion and a perfect

assimilation are the foundations

of Good Health. You may have

these by taking

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.”

"HOWLERS" BY AMERICAN STUDENTS.

York message.

some of them!--

Recent school examination papers reveal some strange errors. There are

Queen Elizabeth rade through Coven try with nothing on, and Raleigh offered her bis cloak."

"Account of the Feudal system. William the Conquerox was thrown trom, bia horse and wounded in the feudal system and died of it," "

The trade of Spain is amali, owing to the insolence of the people."

In Holland the people make use of water power to drive their wind-mills.

In 1820 the Pilgrims crossed the ocean, which is known as the Pilgrim's Progresa.

Charles I, was going to marry the Infanta of Spain. He went to see her and Shakespeare says he never smiled again."

"Tennyson, the greatest prose writer that ever lived, wrote the Iliad and Paradise Lost”.

"Doldrums are spirita.

BEECHAM'S

PILLS

Apart from the present critical situa. tion in China, which affects every depart Chins Providents (comb.) ment of trade, it must be recognised, says Mr. Brett, that the increasing competi

SINGAPORE RUBBER MARKET. Mesars Carroll Bros. are in receipt of a cable from their Singapore friends notifying that the Jeram Kuantan Bubber Estate, Limited, has declared another interim dividend of 12 per cent, taking in all 24 per cent. to date. The following sales have been made to Hongkong:-

ZD Kuala Sidims.... Malaka Pindar Mentakaba...

3.45

New Seudais...... Sandycrofts bailey

0.05 3.75

5.20

The total output of the Kailan Mining ended December 12th, 1925, amounted to 72,082 tons, and the sales to 57,431 tons

999 HOM.

18

..10 buy.

..$250 nom.

..31 nom.

...$45 port.

81.90 nom. 48/- nom. Thi. 834 nom. The Unam.. Tis. 5.45 nom. Tis, & nom

$5,84) nom.

35/- nom. .8/. nom.

$180 #ozo.

*$58 buy. Ts. 183 bay. Ths. 7 bay...

The 114 bay. $9 nom.

632 2001. 45 Day, bisel. „85) buy.. 6 mm. $14 nom

.37 sel. Tha, 10 mel The. 34 nom

1.

$160

Th. 62 sal

31.

$10 buy.

„STA nom, $ist nom. $19 box.

1100.

The 10 buy. $19.

Da

Do.

(old) con (Dev)...

$15.10 nom.

$10.85

nom.

Do.

Da..! (old) ******

sol. (now)....m sel.

..............$1.90 buy.

$173 sel 310 $50 nom. $40

Da

(old).... (new)

nom.

1.30 cts, bay, ..$40 eel.

$19) nou.

nom. $23 buy. $12 821 nom. ........316, bay.

nom.

bay

Peak Trams (old)

Do. (now) (o.p.)....... Sinceres....... Taxis... United Asbestos...$20 nom. Watsons (old).... Do." (new)

buy-buyers; sel-sellors; 82,***

Wm. Powells.....

..$11, met.

..$14.

..$18 L ..$13 sel

THERES A LONG LONG TRAIL

of. Bugs, Fleas, Flies, Beetles, Mosquitoes,

etc.,

oll killed by

KEATINGS