1930-10-20 — Page 7

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A PIONEER IN EASTERN TRADE.

SHIPPING COMMUNITY MEETS CAPTAIN ROBERT

DOLLAR: DINNER ON PRESIDENT FILLMORE,

MAGNATE'S VIEW ON VALUE OF COMMERCE: 'CHINA'S

TROUBLES ANALYSED,

Captain Robert Doline, who arrived in Hong Kong on Satur. day on board the President Fillmore, and who sailed again yes! terday for Manila, was host to a number of shipping men on board the President Fillmore. Practically every shipping office was represented and over a hundred guests sat down to dinner.

At the principal table with Captain Robert Dollar were Sit: Robert Ho Tung, Bir Show'san Chow, Mr. R. M. Dyer, Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackie, Mr. Yamamoto and the Captain of the Presi- dent Fillmore,

Sir Robert Ho Tung, who introduced Captain Dollar, describ- ed, him as "one of the biggest commercial giants in the land of commereint giants, the United States."

Captain Dollar, in the course of a witty speech, dwelt on the world-wide business depression to-day and urged a policy of de véloping friendship in all business undertakings. Ho evamented on China's troubles, but was of the opinion that things were on the mend.

"WHY SHOULD I RETIRE?"

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1930.

China's Troubles.

You gentlemen in Chinis have surely got hard times. You have two great armies fighting each other for no particular reason and then to sap the climax you did not have a gold standard; you depended on silver and the bottom went out of silver and the exchange went lawur than it over had been for a long time. With all these things com- bined you are worse off than other nations, but you will get through with it all.

INTERVIEW FOR PRESSMEN,

On Saturday local pressmen word granted on interview with Captain Hubert Dollar, who in spite of his inentally as any man half his age years, showed ho was just an alert Ju the course of the interview, Captain Dollar showed he had a going in firm grasp of "

•just

how things are China and regarding the silver basis he said:

China, what with internal warn

constant-

CORRESPONDENCE.

For obviate reasons, the identity

for publication must be accom of his correspondents must be known fo the Editor, All letters intended zanied by the name and address of the writer, not for publication, un- lets so desired, but as evidence of good faith. Correspondents who do not give this information, will not

see their testers in print.—ED.]

OUR UNOFFICIALS..

DAILY FAKSE."]

and a pressing exchange problem seems to be worse off at the moment than any other nation. Look at the facta. She is the only nation that has retained the silver basis. With the constant variation in the price (ID THE ADITOR OF THE "HONG KONG of the metal, it is only natural that exchange in the country that you can't do business, ly fluctuating. And thai nie

BIR,-Que of the most refresh- **Then

you

favour stabilised ex- change!" suggested the spokesman. pieces of news in the Press re- ined opposition of the Unofficial Captain Dollar was quite em-cently is that, because of the doter- said, "your British sterling and Members in the F.M.S., no loss our American dollar doesn't

jump

A shipowner to-day has got to do things he does not like to do, I have been compelled to buy cargoes and I don't like to do it because it is sometimes difficult to set return cargoes. It is in conphatic on the point. "I do," he neutign with this that I went into the lumber business in China per mnaeatly.

118

up and down, all over the place, than a million and a half-dollars and

a consequence we know expenditure proposed by the Gov- where we are. But as regards theernment was wiped out and, in ad- silver dollar in China, how can you

fix businces at the present?" He dition, all the new taxation pro- paused for a moment, and then posals word deferred. added smilingly, And of course that's what I'm here for. That's what we're all here far as I under Harbour Quiet.

stand it."

"What do you think about con. ditions of trade here. in Hong Kong" Captain Dollar was next naked.

Hong Kong is no botter off than the F.M.S. and surely what has been achieved by our friends in the South should afford an inspira- on and spur to our own unoffici al minority to take a similar firm stand.

At a banquet to lamberman' in Shanghai I told them that I was the oldest lumbermaan in China or in America or for that matter in the world because 80 years ago I was born in an upstairs room of a little lumber. concern, so that I started 80 years ago, (Laughter.),

Everyone of you should do your utmost to develop commerce. It is a help to the nation and it is help to the world. Some years

I haven't had much time to

In these hard times, it is no use ago when I was in a hotel in Manila look round as yet," was, the reply, I got a message from Governor but it seems to me that you are beating about the bush, and I think Forbes that he wished me to leave having a pretty bad time. Of it can safely be said that public afternoon aboard a gunboat. When we have been pretty hard hit by opinion in the Colons is that our for South Philippines the same course, we think in America that I got down there I found I could recent slumps. In fact we think we unofficial representatives onde an buy copra. At that time there had have been harder hit than anyone. indifferent show of their opposition never been any copra taken from But I must say that in Hong Kong to the recent increases in the sal- there was no suitable mill to handle the Islands to the West Coast, an here your harbour looks very quietarice of the public servants and, it there.

In calling upon Sir Robert Ho A Great Philanthropist, "Pung to address the gathering. Mr.

But Captain Dollar is not only T. B. Wilson said:--When I heard a great business man, he is also that Captain Robert Dollar was

a great philanthropist, and I can travelling to Hong Kong I asked testify to the esteem and affection him if he cared to dine with some entertained by the Chinese towards friends and he requested me to inhim for his kindness and generous vite those interested in shipping: contributions to worthy causes, such A great many of you probably as Chinese schools, Y.M.C.A., etc. nevor haver met Captain Dollar bo

Gentlemen, as compared with fore. Usually when he passes Captain. Dollar'a nge, we are all through Hong Kong he passes

I got in touch with the boya mere babies. If anyone can claim through so quickly that we do not well-earned retirement, it is he, that they could sell copra if we over there, who finally wired me sée much of him and have still less But his philosophy of life makes could provide 12,000 tons a year for opportunity to meet him. Tonight ortia and inactivity impossible. I three years. My wife later found I am going to ask a very old friend should like to quote to you a part me with my head in my hands try. of his characteristic answer to sing to figure it all out. She was of Captain Dollar, a man who has question put to him by the London convinced that someone must be known him for many years, to intro- Daily Mail a few years ago as to dead in the family (Laughter.) why he does not retire. He said: But orentually after sleeping on it

"Why don't I retire? Because I cabled the boys to send a ship, of sheer determination to served over for 5,000 tons of copra. The have been nothing short of a crime out yearly in the Philippine Islands and do things. I claim it would amount of money now being pai for me to have retired when I for copra exceeds ten reached the age of 60, because I dollars. (Applause.) have accomplished far more during the last 20 years of my life than I did before I ronched

my Goth birthday. I was put into the world for purpose and that was not to loat and spend my time in so-called pleasure, which I call idleness.". (Applause.)

duce our boat.

ĭ

An Old Friendship.

Sir Robert Ho Tung then said: When Mr. Wilson was kind enough to invite me to attend to-night's function, I accepted his invitation with keen pleasure as the occasion is in honour of my old friend Captain Robert Dollar. When Mr. Wilson did me the further honour of asking me to say a few words this evening by way of formally introducing Captain Dollar to this gathering. I gladly complied with Jis request, because I appreciated at once that my task would not only be a pleasant one by reason of my long friendship with Captain Dollar, but would also be a very easy one, seeing that no eloquence would be needed to introduce Captain Dollar to any business man" anywhere in any part of the world. (Applause.)

I first met Captain Dollar in 1918

|

Cargo of Airi

million

Captain Dollar went on to detail some of his other business coter prises including the buying of timber at Okkaidu and maho

in gany the Philippinee: All this, he said, helped in the develop ment of trade and incidentally meant return cargoes. "There is no cargo so expensive as a cargo of air," he said

"Sir Robert spoke of retiring and I have been asked about retiring quite often. He has given my reason fully and I need not go farther. I Since I was seventy years of age, will say only this: I have done for more than all my life put together and why should I have sat down and not doure itt The Lord did not put.me here to loaf.. I was put here to accomplish things and I kept on.

in San Francisco, at a luncheon Dollar shipping interests-as Isteamship line round the world. It

With these few remarks I ask you gentlemen to rise and to drink to the health, long life, and prosperity of Captain Robert Dollar."

to me."

Our visitor was not to be drawn if they have no better success over into any opinion as to when things the latest Government proposals, am no prophet," he said, and with the only self-respecting course our might be expected to improve, conditions like they are just now itUnofficial members can take is to isn't possible to make a prediction. I was up in Nanking a few days resign en bloe and see to it that up there that the wars are all over. any position on the Council until ago, and they ecem pretty certain no one else in the Colony accepta Well, that may be so

,"he said, shaking his head rather doubt there is a definite prospect of a fully.

return to sane government.

Big Future for Shanghai,

I have heard it said that, as our Government servants "How did Shanghai appear to paroctrin

bove the backing of the Secretary you?" the interviewer asked.

Captain Dollar appeared to grow Unofficials do. If this is so, then or State, they do not care what the more enthusiastic right away. "Shanghai has grown out of sight the sooner such a view is corrected

the better. since I was last there 2 years ago,"

It is hard to believe he replied: "I was astonished that the Secretary of State himself when I went round and saw the has time to give to the affairs of developments now in progress. 12 somparatively small place like hardly thought they would go Hong Kong, and I feel sure that ahead so fast, In fact, I am not some gesture, such as I suggest, sure they aren't going ahead a little is casential to call attention to the too fast. But there certainly seeme stupid acts of our Government. to be big room, there, and the progress is very noticeable. I think thero is a very big future for Shang

baj

When asked about the building Captain Dollar said they were cou programumo of his own enterprise,

Pacific trade, the first of which structing four more ships for the would be launched on December 1 next, and the second at the begin ning of February next year. The others would follow in due course.

"They are all 660 feet long, and

Unless the Unofficial Members

take some such action, it is my view they will not be truly repre- sentative of the public opinion of the Colony. Surely they do not and social position before the wel place their own personal interests

whom they are supposed to repre- fare of the people of the Colony

scot-Youre, uld.

Hong Kong, October 18.

PYM.

81 feet in beam," he added, and UNWANTED MISSIONARIES. 10,000 or 17,000. the tonnage should be round about!

line had in contemplation the con

Captain Dollar added that the atritetion of six new ships for the round-the-world run.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ HONG KONG

DAILY PRESS."]

Having attained the ripe age of over fourscore years, with his keen intellect unimpaired, with his vision undimmed, with his vast wisdom, which is the result of his long ex perience, with the serenity of mind which is the rowurd of high and successful endeavour and honour able dealings, he remains the active and directing mind of his vast ship. ping interests, which in Hong Kong are so ably looked after by Mr. Wilson, who has always maintained the friendliest relationships with the shippers and shipping community. With Captain Dollar at the helm, Mr. Wilson, I predict for the eighty years of age, I started a and so many able chief officers like Just think of it, when I was

party in my honour by the members heartily wish thom-every increas has been going on for seven years of the General Chamber of Coming prosperity and success. (Ap and is running satisfactorily. The

plause.) merce of that city, when I had the

ships have travelled a little over 1,000,000 miles. Think of a fellow good fortune to be seated next to

retiring and all this happening after

"Nico N.V.E. Ships." him. I was so much impressed by

I was seventy. A good many people

Regarding the new N.Y.K. passen his strong personality that I looked

would probably say: " "The old

4 ger ships, Captain Dollar was duffer, he ought to go home and

home and sit little forward to meeting him again. Tho

"A Considerable Fellow."

cryptio They are very nice downl

ships," he said, "and they have of their own folly. opportunity came, Ave years later, Captain Robert Dollar in reply In starting this line round the been very good to me."

L. J. Vernon has rather let him- when, curiously enough, both he said-After what Sir Robert has world we started a traffic between Harking back to the troubles of and I happened to be in Shanghai, sion that I am

anid you must come to the conclu- California and the West Coast of China, our visitor, seemed amused self go in his protest against the a considerable America on one side and the when asked as to when they would that he wanted to go and boat up former. letter, and when he admits and we were both invited to address fellow, but I want to ask you to Straits Settlement on the other come to an end." the students of а

On the first ship, the President commercial take that with a grain of allowance

"They naturally can't go on for somebody, he comes up against the collegs on

the same day. My beente I am not the man he has Harrison, I put on board three ever," he said, with a twinkle in psychology of the superior person pictured me out to be. After all cases of sardines and when we got his As it is, China has put but does not admit of such a right who claims the right to beat up, friendly contact with him in that that he has said I really should

in (shail we call thein f) the inferior rar has since ripoued into a have nothing to say, but seeing that friendship I greatly value. Amongst directly interested in shipping it you are all either directly or in- the possessions which I treasure are gives me pleasure to be able to say two biographies of himself which & few words. he was kind enough to present to

ne with his autograph.

Beginning in a humble way in his youth, and with nothing to aid him

I have to admit, that I am not in such a good way to talk as Bir Robert. I landed at Yokohamn on Saturday and started out calling. took the night train down to Kobe I then went to Tokyo and then

to the Straits Settlement we opened up a pretty good record by keeping the cases and gave cans to every civil wars going for about twenty before last this line carried 000,000 nation has managed to do that! Tom, Dick and Harry. The year years and tell me what other cases of sardines to the Straits and Ho joined in the laughter that last year we carried a little over followed a million cases of sardines down there and I am sure we did not. carry them all! It shows what can be done by trying.

The Last Laugh. In conclusion, Captain Dollar days I mudo fifty-two calla. Thon said, "Eighteen years ago I was

but his own intellect, his persever and then to Osaka and in the two ance, and his brond outlook, Cap- fain Dollar hua forged for himself

the proud position of owner of one

of the biggest shipping interests in

the world, His penetrating outlook

nabled him to soa much earlier than subsequent competitors the immense possibilities of trade be- tween China and America, and he was in fact one of the first pioneers

SOVIET DIGNITY

*OFFENDED.

GREECE FAILS TO REPLY

· NAVAL ·BALUTE.

Six, Whilst I certainly did feel very indignant that two women had beer killed by Chinose bandite, I could not help so feeling with your correspondent Paul Vlaina that their deaths were the result

porgans.

papers are

Banditry is not wholly confined to China; in fact if the Sunday any authority there. stems to be a fair amount of it at home, but the argument put for ward by Paul Vlaine that the money spent by and on mission aries could be better spent else. where is a very sound one and an, TOI think, now being endorsed by a large number of people who haya a first-hand knowledge of mission-

they carted me around so hard that there that the time was coming crous Greco-Sovjet incident arose tjan people aro

Athens, Oat, 13.-A slightly ludiaries and their methods,

It is such a pity that the Chris. so insistent on I overdid it. (Laughter.) The last who the centre of the world's trade here from the failure of the foisting a religion on other people morning I was there I got up at would be on the Pacific, and not the Piraeus coast batteeries to return who do not happen to believe the 3.15 in the morning and stayed up Atlantic. The remark created some the salute fired by the Soviet naval till 10 o'clock that night and the laughter, but I told them that be squadron under the command of variably results in somebody or the

samo as themselves, because it in next morning, when the ship was laughed best who laughed last, and Admiral. Kantaski.

other being beaten up because he or The port authorities later on

she has strayed from the paths of Last year I attended a similar apologized for the omission, declar- breakfast in bed. (Laughter.) party of the same kind of men. At

safety,

I went to Shanghai and got in at a little got-together party in

with the young fellows there and India House, and I told the people

at 80s, I did a thing which I have that I would have the last laugh.

not done for fifty years, I took my

I have always felt that it must

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Tuck-in Blouse

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Let me say that friendship is the the end of the meeting a gentleman ng that the officer in charge of to China, and so he went on build the coast batterics had to be a great insult to one's intelli

hear the Soviet ships salujo.on can nations go to war with each had prophesied that the centre of count of the prevailing strong

gence to be told that one's religion other if they are on friendly terms. the world's trado would be trans wind, an

is all wrong, and, moreover it has excuse which Aduriral It can't be done. And it is the ferred to the Pacific. Mr. Dollar Kantaaki refused to accept.

yet to be proved that Christianity same in business. Those who are in bad also said 18 years previously

Indieark His indignation increased stille quite the nicest thing to believe friendship get along much better. that he would have the fast laugh further when the profect of the port in. From 2014 to 1918 I seem to

Debility neod not say here that we are

Indigestion. on the subject. Although Mr. informed him that the. Russian gamber that nearly all the Chris all in hard times. That is only ro- Dollar has not exactly got the last lors would be allowed on

tian races wore engaged in the

Sleeplessness Exhaustion gentle task of beating each other geating what everyone knews. The laugh this speaker concluded, only in:: groups and accom

ing ships. As time went on he Found that there was not enough Imber for his ships to carry, and so he successfully interested him-

self in various commercial activities For the purpose of finding cargo for his ships.

ahore

worat of it is that the hard timen he bing, can great, big snicker.alpanied by their Spark seberan up, whilst their missionary friends

His magnificent versola, both Tasseuser and cargo maintain a doubtedly one of the greatest com- there were only a fow nations suffer- inercial giants in the land of coming it would not be so bad, but mercial giants, the United States every nation is fooling the strain of of America. (Loud applause.) hard tines.

the

Mr. D., Wilson then briefly that such a dormand, was inconsistheathen Chiness their beautifu thanked the guests for their attendent with international usage, threa gospel of love. Yours, etc. ance, after which they dispersed to tened to leave with his quadron.

RATIONALIST. inspect the ship.

immediately..

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