1928-09-26 — Page 5

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"THE TIMES ARE OUT OF JOINT.”

COMEDY OF CANTON'S CLOCKS.

SIGNÁL GUN THAT GOES ON

STRIKEL

KWANGTUNG'S SILK

INDUSTRY.

A SERIOUS DECLINE.

·PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT.

·UNEVEN QUALITY.

(IROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT][FROM OUR, CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

CANTON, Sept. 95th.

CANTON, September 28th. The Municipal Government has The Kwangtung silk industry, decided to replace the vlectrically once a most flourishing and lucra regulated street clocks on the printive enterprize, is rapidly dwindling The foreign cipal crossroads of Canton. These into insignificance, dlocks were taken down by the market is gone and hundreds of Municipal Government come three thousands of men and women who years ago because they were in- relied on this industry for their accurate. Without standard clocks livelihood have been forced to seek the question of the exact time is other work. Filature factories in not easy. There are no two clocks the districts of Shun Tak and or watches alike in the whole city other places of the Canton Delta and this is a constant source of have been forced to shut down on especially for those account of the lack of business. annoyance who have to catch a beat or train. The decline of this industry is The Customs House tower clock clearly indicated in the Customs has been correct but this way of trade figures which state that silk standardising the time has proved exported, from Canton in 1924 too troublesome for most people. amounted to $180,000,000, and in Then the Municipal Government 1997 the trade bad dwindled down devised a new scheme for the stan- to 870,000,000, showing a loss of dardisation of tine in the city. 800,000,000 in three short years. Every day exactly at noon a cannon Foreign exporters here are of the is fired from the top of Kuan Tin opinion that unless something is Hill on the North of Canton, the done to revive the trade, it will report being loud enough to be continue to decrease. heard over most" of the city. This eased the problem but still the people were not satisfied as the big rusty cannon does not always ga of faithfully to the second. There have even been times when the ancient piece of artillery has gone on strike leaving people to rely once more on the never failing Customs House clock.

A JUMPY ELECTRIC CURRENT.

The Canton authorities, however, are now beginning to try and save the industry from utter ruin. Mr. Ma Chiu Tsoon, Commissioner of Reconstruction, has brought the matter before the Provincial Coun- cit requesting it to appropriate the improvement of 820,000 to sericulture is Kwangtung. The Council was deeply moved by his account of the state of affairs and is doing all it can to restore the industry to its former position. It has acceded to Commissioner Ma's request and gave $20,000 to the Bureau for the improvement of acriculture in Kwangtung.

REASONS FOR THE

DECLINE.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th, 1928.

CATERING FOR THE JAPANESE FLEET,

เรี

THE SINCERE CO, NOT A PHILANTHROPIC

· ESTABLISHMENT.""

ENTERPRISING MONOPOLISTS TO PAY.

HALF OF THE GOODS PURCHASED THAT REMAINED UNSOLD.

After a protracted hearing, judgment was yesterday morning delivered by Mr. Justice P. Jacks, at the Summary Court, in the case in which the Sincere. Co sued Mr. Nakao, head of i combine formed to cater for the Japanese Fleet during their ve days' stay in the Colony in March, this year, for the recovery. of $1,000, the balance" of goods sold and delivered to the combine.

Mr. M. K. Lo had contended for the plaintiffs that the goods were sold on credit and that no arrangement had been made for unsold goods to be returned Pisintiffs offered to do. business with the defendant at wholesale prices, when it was stated that the "combine" expected a large volume of business from the Fidet.

Mr. R. A. Wadason, for the defendant, maintained that it was verbally agreed by the plaintiffs that goods not sold would be returnable.

In the course of his judgment, his Lordship found that the #five-day" syndicate was disappointed with the result of their "business with the Japanese Fleet, and found more than half of the goods which they had purchased left on their hands. His Lord- ship added that since the plaintiffs went so far as to offer to sell their goods at wholesale prices, he could not believe that they would

"further and agree to take back goods unsold by the defendant. They were not going to make their usual profit on the goods which were sold, the plaintiffs do not run a philanthropic institution, and I see no reason why they should go to the length of agreeing to take back unsold goods in the circumstancek" Judgment was awarded to plaintiffs with costs.

go

THE JUDGMENT.

The full text of the judgment follows: "

This is an action in which the plaintiffs seek to recover from the defendant the price of certain goods sold and delivered. They claim that they sold goods to the value of 82,127.30, and they received 81,000 on deposit, leaving a balance of $1,127.30, but they have waived 8197.30 in order to bring the action within, the jurdiction of this Court. The correctness of the foregoing figures is not, I believe, disputed but the defendant claims that he is entitled to return goods which he has not sold.

Facts Of The "Case.

to sell. I reserved my decision on the point" in order that I might consider the evidenco which had been put before me on the three occasions when I sat to hear this case. There is a conflict of evidence on the point. The defendant con- tends that there was an agreement, the plaintiffs deny it. It is for the defendant to satisfy me that his contention

is correct. Looking at the facts the first point is that the plaintiffs' business is that of a cash store, though I believe they Enown to them. The defendant give credit to customers who are was unknown to them, he went and asked for credit, the plaintiffs gave him credit on his paying a cash de- posit and in view of the fact that the defendant told them that a con- siderable amount of business might be done. the plaintiffs went further and offered to do business with the defendant at wholesale prices. Why should be go even further and agree to take back any goods unsold by the defendant. The plaintiffs do not run a philanthropic institution. They were not going to make their usual profit on the goods which were sold. I see no reason why they should go to the length of agreeing to take back unsold goods in the etrcumstances.

Hothing In' Writing.

$8,000 JEWEL ROBBERY?

EMPLOYEE OF MESSRS. ULLMAN'S MISSING.

CHINESE WITH TWENTY YEARS' SERVICE.

FAMILY ALSO DISAPPEARS.

The local branch of Messrs. Ullman and Company, the Arms pf| jewellers and watchmakers well- known throughout the Far East, has been victimised, it is believed, to the extent of over $8,000 by one of their Chinese employees,

Mr. L. D. Walch, interviewed at the firm's premises in Chater Bold, said the stolen goods consisted of:

1,513 watches of various kinds, valued at 87,379.

72 ordinary fold-glasses, #472. 33 prismatic binoculars, $462 The missing employee had been employed on the wholesale side of the firm's business with Canton. He was regalarly entrusted with large quantities of stock, often far in excess of the amount now miss-

e had been in Canton and was expected back over the week-end, though had his returned been delay ed for a few days, nothing would have been thought of it. Instead Mr. Welch received letter, which

he, feels no reason to doubt is from the missing man, explaining that circumstances have forced him to abscond with the goods entrusted to him but he is very sorry to have to take such a step, etc. The letter was posted in Hong Kong after the man had left for Canton

A Man Of "Apparently Hoblą Character."

M.. Walch aid that the man had been in the employ of the firm for twenty years. He was trusted ab solutely and as much as 830,000 had often been confided to his charge for disposal in Canton and the interior.

"He was," said the Manager, an elderly man of impressive. app.arance and, I should have said of noble character. He was in charge of the watch and clock work- shop when in Hong Kong so our at all If he had not sent the letter. local customers do not know, bim to me we should have thought no- thing of his absence these few extra days

Mr. Weleh did not think that "As there had been any foul play. soon as I got his letter I reported the matter to the police and a visit was paid to the man's home. There, however, we got a surprise. He bad left some time ago and no trace can be found of his family. "As to the man's inctive, nothing could be suggested. They had no reason to suppose he had been gambling and he was supposed to be a man of some substance.

"The goods in our shop are, of course, insured, but there is nothing in the policy about goods outside, Bodo not see-that-we-have-any claim," said Mr. Welch.

Because of all this the Municipal Government has decided to re-start the maloo clock systrin. But she aid clocks are no longer any good be will have to and new ones bought. A contract has been sign- eu with the Anderson, Heyer & Co., Ltd, tor the instalation of

Our correspondent has learned in these big, four-faced, a.ectrically conversation with silk merchants driven, maioo clocks. The Govern that there are at least three reasons meat promised $2,000 to the Com for the decadence of the industry. paay, but the Company has found In the first place the raw silk as that it cannot fail its contract on exported from Canton does not meet account of the wide variations of the requirements of the foreign fac- the current and voltage from the tories. What they need is silk of Canton Light and Power Co. It uniform size and constant quality. is said that the city current con- This is what the Chinese merchants stantly fluctuates between $,500 could not or would not supply, and and 6,800 kilowatts but the clocks hence the foreign purchasers, large- cannor run smoothly unless they American manufacturers, bad" to electric current

The facts are shortly as follows R constant and turn to Japan which could meet

In the second in March last five Japanese mer this is one of the things which the their requirements. Canton Electric and Power Com place the cocoon rearers in Kwang, chants, Messrs. Nakas, Yoshioka, pany cannot guarantee and the tung lack scientific methods of Yoshie, Fujiyama and Osame form work has been in abeyance for handling and selecting the silked a syndicate to trade with the some time The Municipal Govern worms. Good and diseased eggs are Japanese Fleet during its visit here ment, however, has taken the mat hatched and reared alike. Little ter into hand and ordered a small uz no effort is taken to separate the for a few days in April, for which they had a monopoly. They had to obtain various goods which they electric generator to be attached diseased eggs from the good ones. to the Canton Light and Power Co. As a result the product is of a did not stock themselves. They for the purpose of eupplying a con- mixed quality which is what the stant current with which to run foreign manufacturers do not want. eordingly visited various stores the maloo clocks. The fuel for this Finally, foreign purchasers have and made arrangements for the small generator will be oil and been complaining that very often purchase of such goods. One of the

The defendant's witcases all say net coal so as to ensure an even big pieces of inferior raw silk are stores they visited was that of the found hidden in each bale of plaintiffs, to whom they were un- fame.

supposedly good silk of uniform known. Now the plaintiffs' store that the plaintiffs agreed to take isa cash store, these Japanese back speh unsold goods. They also quality.

The Bureau for the Improvement gentlemen wished to purchase on said they recognised the importance of Sericulture in Kwangtung whose credit, so they were taken to the of having something in writing to headquarters are in the Linguan plaintiffs' manager whom they in- that effect and yet on their own University campus is trying hard formed of the approaching visit of evidence they do not appear to have their own to improve the industry through the the Japanese Fleet, that they had taken any energetic steps at the application of science. What Kwang- the monopoly to supply the Fleet time. According to tung has lost in this trade Japan and they expected a large volume statements they allowed themselves has gained. The local authorities, of business The plaintifs man to be put off by the manager of the however, are quite confident that ager asked what kind of goods they plaintiff who was not even asked in the trade will be all restored and required and was told they would cross-examination whether he was that merchants will learn to meet require a large quantity of ivory asked to put anything in writing the standard set by foreign ailk chopsticks, combs, mah jung sets, if he had actually agreed to take

some blackwood and the like. He back unsold goods, manufacturers.

said that several of these things he I see no reason whatever why he did not keep in stock and would should have raised any objection have to buy elsewhere. One of the Japanese said he was a big mer chant, he held up a bundle of notes and offered cash for a special rate. The manager eventually agreed to give them credit to the extent of 82,000 on their paying a deposit of 81,000 and to sell goods to them at wholesale prices which he said are

The unsold goods were of little They certainly do not convey to | from 194 to 15 par cent. less than

ordinary retail prices. The man- me the impression that unsold use to the members of the syndicate ager is a busy man and did not goods were to be taken back, and who did not usually deal in goods remember all the details of the I do not for one copment believe that kind. They would natural- transsetion very clearly, but he was that they really conveyed that mearly desire to dispose of them, but certain that he did not agree to ing to the defendant's witnesses who they have not convinced me that the it was an unusual arrangement and take back goods remainineg unsold were present at the interview-all plaintiffs agreed to buy then back, after the Japanese Fleet left. The of them man with some business the onus of proof was on the

defendant. leading advocate of this scheme, plaintiffs' manager also said that experience,

If the defendants really under- it an assistant named "Yuen Kai-Tong

THE OLD FRENCH 'CONSULATE. RENDITION IN A FEW DAYS. [FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

CASTON, Sept. 24th. M. Andre Danjou, French Consul- General at Shameen, called on the Canton Foreign Office this morning at 10.43 to make the final arrange ments with Dr. Choo Hsin Chu, the Commissioner for Foreign tho Affairs of Kwangtung, for rendition of the old French Con- sulate in Canton. The rendition is to be unconditional, like that of The the old British Consulate. documents were to have been sign- ed this morning, but as it was found that certain, translations had to be made, the signing was postponed for a few days.

HONG KONG-CANTON TELEPHONE.

TO BE INSTALLED}

WORK TO START WHEN

FUNDS ARE RAISED..

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT,]

Our correspondent called at the

CANTON, Sept. Bath. Foreign Office this afternoon and was received by Mr. Yick Kia The Canton Government is seri Toun, secretary, who told him that ous considering the installation of everything respecting the rendition telephone system between Hong of the premises has been proceed- Kong and Canton. Mr. Lin Wen ing smoothly. He said that the Koi, Mayor of Canton and the French Consul-General and the

that opinion Canton Foreign Office are on the Eriendliest terms.

MERCHANTS SUBDUED. BOYCOTT COMMITTEE BREAKS ALL OPPOSITION.

(YBOM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

Carros, Sept. 25th.

of

tho

is would greatly. help merchants and people of the two commercial ports. This system would, moreover, bring about a better understanding and promote, trade. Although the two Ports are connected by wireless telegraphy, said the Mayor, this does not take the place of the telephone.

Last night Mr. Welch went to Canton to consult with the author- ities thero and to see if he can identify any property that has come into the hands of the police. He will also visit Macao with the same object,

left on their hands. They did not goods which they had purchased at once pack them up and return them to the plaintiffs as I should have expected them to do if they had made the arrangement they claim and they have not yet seat them back.

The plaintiff's cashier who visited had the defendant's witnesses really them to obtain payment of the ac- pressed the point, Two of the de- tendant's witnesses said that they count after the Beet left admitted got the inanager to add the words that something was said by the Transferred to Credit of Cash Japanese gentlemen about return- Account" on the receipt for the ing unsold goods, but he had no deposit which they thought suffi authority to do anything about eient. I doubt whether they know this and naturally referred them to

his manager. what these words really meant.

A point has been made of the fact that Yuen Kai Tung, a shop assistant in the plaintiffs firm, was not called to give evidence for the plaintiffs. My view is that he should have been called for the defence. The manager referred to him as the man who brought some. of the members of the syndicate to his office and perhaps told him what they wanted and then left.

brought the gentlemen up but he stood at the time that unsold goods was not present all the time. The were to be taken back; they were manager said nothing about any quite right in deciding that they agreement being asked for, neither ought to have some written evidence was he cross-examined on this point. of the fact and they could easily The cashier of the plaintifs firm have obtained it by writing to the said if the good, had been sold plaintiffs and stating what they be under an agreement to take back lieved the agreed terms were and unsold goods he would have known asking the plaintifs to confirm.

Mr Yoshie had an opportunity The projected line will follow the of it; he had never heard of a sale Canton Kowloon Railway die under such conditions before. Now when he wrote and gave his name Judgment For Plaintifs, To-day is the last day in which tance of approximately 100 miles the Japaifese gentlemen who gave as a signatory for orders shortly long. The cost of this undertaking. evidence, Mesars. Yoshie, Osame after the arrangement was made, the dealers in Japanese goods can according to an estimats of the and Yoshioka, and Mr. Yuen Tsai but he appears to have neglected it. register unsold stock with the Chinn Electric Co., which is instal Chua, their friend and helper, Again, when a written order was Anti-Japanese Boycott Committee, ling the new automatic system of agree, in the main with the plain- given later for some Mah Jongg Beginning from to-morrow al telephonce in the city, will be about tills manager's account of what sels, he might easily have stated in Japanese goods in the city pot 800,000 gold. The Bureau of Public took place but they all any that the the order that unsold sets were to registered will be confiscated by Utilities has been entrusted with assistant Yuen Kai Tung was pre- be returned the Committee. Up to last night the projected enterprise and work sent all through the interview. They Yuen Taxi Chung went so far as 1320 stores in Canton registered will be started just as soon as the also say that the manager agreed to say that Mr. Yoshie had a doen their goods of Japanesa origin and only 83 shops maintained an openly ecessary funde sig secured...

defiant attitude saying that they

with them that he would take back ment prepared for the manager to 4ch goods as they were unable to sign, but was satialed that the to the receipt was the importance of having some sumcient. will not regieter under any condi- in Canton, all registered with the sell and that they all appreciated addition tion. But they have been pros Committes yesterday,

Byndicate Disappointed. scribed by the Committee which The Committee has so far made agreement in writing on this point.

"Folat To Consider. Und The defendant's syndicate was will confiscate their Japanese goods no attempt to collect its demand. if they do not register by to-day of 30 per cent. ad valorem lovy on The only point for me to consider disappointed with the result of The Sincere Company and the two the cost price of the goods of whether the plaintiffs' manager their business with the Japanese, Sun Companies, the biggest stores Japanese origin. It says regis did in fact agree to take back such Fleet and had more than half the Continued as fool of next column)tration fra.collection afterwards.” goods na the syndicate were unable (Continued on next Column).

At any rate the manager did not consider that he took any import ant part in the proceedings and, quite naturally, I think he was not called to give evidence for the plain- liffs. Had they known that such a point was to be made of his presence: at the interview I feel sure they would have called him. In fact they offered to do so when they did discover what importance was at- tached by the defence to any evi- dence he might be able to give, but objection was raised. It was, how ever, open to the defence to call him. It was they who laid so much, stress on the importance of his evidence,

I give judgment for the plaintiffs for the amount of their claim with

costs:

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