1934-08-02 — Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE }

[All letters intended for, publi- catión must be 'accompanied by the name and address of the writer" not jor publication, unless so desired. but as evidence of good faith,—Es.]

Capital Punishment

(To the Editor, of the "Hong Kong

+ Daily Press").

Dear Sir,-As a trial for murder has just been concluded and an- other murder has recently been committed, I wish to raise again with the citizens of Hong Kong the question of the death sentence.. My proposal is that for an 'experimental period of twenty years every death sentence should be commuted.

is

This

matter for the Governor in Council; I do not wish to suggest that can be settled by an expresalon of civic opinion. It is however my hope that I a measure of public" sup- port is forthcoming for an experi- ment of this kind, the Government will accede to our request.

.My reasons are as follows:-

(1) Hong Kong provides" the British Commonwealth with an admirable laboratory for experi- ments and should be so used.

יי

(2) In the case of an experi- ment in the abolition of Capital Punishment. Hong Kong has the advantage of a highly trained and efflelent Government, Frequent use of the death sentence is al- ways a sign of weak government. The Hong Kong Government is strong enough to dispense with it altogether:

4

J

14) In the early part of this year I pointed out that once i murderer becomes "known in- timately as a person" to the com- munity, the demand for commuta- tion of sentence becomes acute. For this reason it would be vir- tually impossible for the death sentence to be carried out on any European. We would know so much about his temptations, about his difficulties. about the reasons that. led him: to act. that we would insist that the full vigour of the law was stayed in his case, Please let me make this point quite clear. This would not be

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1934.

"NULLAH OUTRAGE

SEQUEL

CHINESE CHARGED WITH MURDER

OF MICHAEL PINE

Story Of Dramatic Rescue

}}

The sensational incident in Albany nullah, opposite the Lower Peak Tramway station on the afternoon of June 22 when five British children were thrown into the nullah, was recalled at Central Magistracy yesterday' when a Chinese named Ng Lol Yuen, alias Ng Yik Sang was charged before, Mr. E. W. Hamilton with the murder of Michael Pine, aged 8, and the attempted murder of the other children.

A dramatic story of the rescue of the children was related by the Assistant Attorney General, Mr. J. A. Fraser, in his out- line of the case, and the medical evidence given by Dr. D. J. Valentine was to the effect that the accused smelled strongly of alcohol on admission to the hospital and that he had endeav- oured to escape from the prison ward.

The children concerned, it will be recalled, were Michael and Mary Pine (twins), Fay Bromley Tony Flood and Norman Stone.

How Accused Was Arrested.

li

Mr. J. A. Fraser, assistant "At orney General, appeared for the Crown, and Mr. R, C. H. Lum, in- structed by Mr. J. M. Hall, repre-

sented the accused.

Outlining the facts of the case, Mr. Fraser said that on the after noon of

June 22. Ave

Michael and Mary Pine, Fay Brom- ley. Tony Flood and Normal Stone were playing on the bridge which carried the path below the rail- way bridge just opposite the Lower Peak Tram Station. It went across the aulah called the Al- bany nullah,

ren

צוות סחר

DR. MORRISON

Centenary Observed In Fitting Manner

August 1, 1934, the centenary of Dr. Robert Morrison, was celebrat- ed in a fitting manner when, a party, under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hall, paid, a visit to Macao where a short service was held in the Httle church adjoining the Protestant Cemetery: followed by the placing of wreaths on the grave of Dr. Morrison.

It was B very impressive ceremony altogether. When the party arrived at Macao they were met by Mr. Herbert Phillips, Consul-General for Canton and Macao and Mr. F. G. Gellion. As the ceremony was not held until 3 pm. the party broke up into small groups which went on sight- seeing trips and at the appointed time they met at the Cemetery which is situated in a delightful corner of the Portuguese Colony.

Although the place was heat enough, there were very eviderit signs that the appeal for funds for "repairs to the ceremony" is an urgent one and in view of the fact that some very distinguished people are buried in that graveyard, it is

will be forthcoming in answer to that appeal.

HƯ HẠN MIN INTERVIEWED

The Tangku Agree. ment Criticised

Mr. Hu Han-min recently grant- ed an interview to Press represen- tatives in the course of which he discussed (1) the negotiations for the abolition of the Tangku"Agree- ment at Dairen, and (2) the recent revision of the import and export tariffs.

Mr. Eu at the outset contradict- ed the report that he had cleared up AJI misunderstandings with. Nanking and was about to make a trip to Europe.

Referring to the Tangku Agree- ment, which was signed on May 31st 1933. Mr. Hu said that since the signing of the Agreement, Man- churia was no longer regarded as an integral part of China as the agrement had provided that Luan-

the area beyond the ting was a neutral zone and that Great Wall

was the 'Manchukuo' territory. Mr."| Wang Ching Wal. President of the Executive Yuan, in his declaration, said that the Tangku Agreement included only military and not 'political matters. Since then, the

fling on a small step in the nullah to be hoped that more support Japanese made use of this Agree-

there.

The third bridge was some 150 or 200 yards further down the

At The Church nullah, opposite St. John's Cathe dral. Some Children workmen The service at the Church was employed by a'military contractor taken by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hall were at work there. children.

There were while the Consul-General, Mr. altogether six Chinese and a fore-Phillips, read the Lesson from the man. The foreman was on the third book of Wisdom. Others bank when he saw a boy carried who took part were the Rev. E, G. down the nullah. This boy must Powell, Rev. G. D.. Cousins and Mr have been Norman Stone. The Wat Lok Hing, the last named foreman called out of the work-speaking in Chinese. men, one of whom jumped in to. Following this was a procession, rescue the boy. Both of them were headed by Bishop Hall, to the washed away but the workmen,grave of Dr. Morrison where the stuck and pulled the boy out of

following wreaths were tald:- the nullah. The boy was handed Mr. Herbert Philips, on behalf of over to the foreman who knew the British community in South him and took him back to his | China: home.

Dr. Gibson and Mr. S. V. Boxer. Continuing. Mr. Fraser sald:for the London Missionary Society. Connecting the two stages we have Rev. E. G. Powell on behalf of Lo Ching, a car cleaner who saw the Hong Kong Centenary Com e European boy being carried mittee; down. He saw a Chinese and the European boy being swept down the nullah. By this time there were shouts and people were at- tracted. A "boy" employed by the

lower down. Mrs. Fair- burn was approaching that bridge from the east side and saw this man throw over two children and then himself jump into the nullah. As the man, threw the childrea, he faced away from Mrs. Fairburn, standing sideways. She done out of racial prejudice, or

could not see below the bridge at for reasons of prestige, or for any

that point. The bridge was quite reason reflecting on British justice. high above the nullah which was Justice must necessarily

be im-flowing strongly at the time. personal, and the central fact There had been a great deal of "about men and women is that

they are persons. Once a "man, or woman becomes known to us as

|

"

Prof. L. Forster on behalf of the Tyneside community of Hong Kong:.

Dr. Teao and the Rev. Paul S. F. 780 on behalf of the Chinese YM.C.A., Hong Kong; and

Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Geillon.

Cemetery.

THOSE PRESENT

ment and forced Nanking to carry out the "through traffic and through mall" provisions. while Gen. Huang Fu and Mr. Wang Ching Wel, during that time, still stated that there was no secret stipulation included in the Tangku Agreement. số no outsider, could the apprehend the mystery of Agreement. Mr. Ha was of the opinion that the agreement con- tained more than has been divül- ged to the public.

"A certain diplomatist who had recently returned from Europe, has aald: 'Since the Japanese-Foreign office had issued the "Hands-off China Polley" on April 17th, all the Chinese ministers in Europe had received special instructions from Mr. Wang Ching Wel, pro- hibiting them to make any state- ment against Japan. Besides, there i were other cables stating that the wishes of Marshal Chiang Kai- Shek, Chairman of the National Military Committee. should not be

obstructed. thus the Executive Yuan and the Foreign Office of Nanking are both evading respon- sibility for the concluding of the Tangku Agreement."

The Customs

economic invasion in

cannot be adequately expressed.

China's Customs. after securing The party from Hong Kong in-independence since 1928, Had been cluded the Rt. Rev. R. O. Han revised thrice, firstly February Bishop of Victoria, the Hon. Sir 1929, Secondly in January 1932, and William Shenton and the Rev. E thirdly in May 1933. G. Powell, vice-chairmen of the Centenary Committee, Rev. Dr. E.

(3) I am convinged that thought of penalty never deters murderer. Therefore abolition could not, I hope, lead to алу Increase in murder. For the same reason I do not believe abolition would lead to a decrease in the

That afte:non just before, the number of murders committed.

incident. Woo Lai the gatemari of Any slight increase or decrease in

the tram station. saw these child- dh experimental perlod would be

playing and immediately due to other reasons. My convic afterwards they were thrown over, tlon is that Government. Anding one by one, by a Chinese alleged at the close of the experimental to be the accused. After throwing period no considerable increase in the last of the children into the the number of murders committed.nullah, he jumped over himself. would abolish the death penalty Mrs. Fairburn

going altogether.

down past Garrison School saw the last two children being thrown over from the bridge which cross- cd the nullah a little way down. The children were thrown in de- tween the road and the rallway | NA‚AFI. saw a girl whom we now bridge, actually on the west side know to be Mary Pine, being car- of the road bridze and rather ried down the stream. He jump- A group photograph brought the nearer to the south end. From ed into the nullah, At the point proceedings to a close. It would that bridge one could see another where he jumped in, it was about he, of interest to note that since bridge

fifteen feet deep. He imself was February last, vast improvement Mr. Hy mentioned that the re- carried away, Mr. Bowles was at has been made in the church and

cent enforcement of the new Cus- tracted by the shouts and he also cemetery, both of which have been toms' Regulations was a ruin to jumped in a little lower down. He put in better order. This is at the industry of the country and as stretched himself across the nullahtributed to the keen and enthusias.-

a mears of facilitating- Japan's making a sort of dain against tie work put in by Mr. F. C. Gellion. I continual. which the girl could lie and crawl the resident Trustee of the | China. The far-reaching, results out. It was partially successful because when the girl reached him there was a momentary check. She was not the only person in the nullah for Michael Pine also came against this dam and then, the NAAFI "boy." So far all went well. But there was a fourth body whom we do not know. It must have been the accused. It came Allen, Prof. and Mrs L. Forster up against this dam and all were Mrs. E. G. Fowell, Rev. Rudland swept away. Michael and Mary Showell. « Lingnan University, Rev Pine. were swept past Mr Bowles. Foster, Union Theological Col- The Rescue · he evidence was that the child- who sa Michael swept, into the lege, Canton, Dr. R. M. Gibson, Two of nallah and Marry to the side. London Missionary Society. Rev. A ren were thrown over.

K. Reliton, Rer. Paul S. F. T'so Corporal Giles, of them, Fay Bromley and Tony

the South

St. Paul's Church; Mr. Yimson based

immediately Wales Borderers saw what happen-Hsin Tsao, General Flood were almost on our beliefs. A penalty, rescued by two chair coole, Chinged and jumped into the nullan. Chinese YMCA, Hong Kong. Mr. and the Legislative Yuan again which destroys the personality, even of one who has himself Kam and Woo Hay who were call- destroyed another person, is 2

ed by Mrs. Fairburn Fay Bromo rescue the children and say the K. E. Wang, General Secretary of ignored its responsibility in the the Shanghai Civic Association, matter. There must be some ob- survival from more primitive ley was handed over to Inspector children being swept away.

Andrews of the Peak Tramways picked up Mary Pine and handed Rev. C. D. Cousins, London Mission-jectionable points in the new tariff ary Bociety, Mr. B. V. Boxer, Mor regulations as they were approved A tier engaged by the Peak her over to Mr. Bowles. The

Tony Flood, sentry on duty at the same bridge, Henry Graye, Miss B. M. Pope, Mr. include the following defects: (1) leon Hall, The University, Mr. without much consideration. They Tramways rescued who was then just below the bridge Pte. Sellers saw a Chinese holding Wat Lok Hing, Miss W. L Griffin,by increasing the

tariffs of all and got stuck on the other side, on to a boy in the water and pass- but Fay Bromley remained knee-ed together Into the tunnel. On

Miss M. Coghlan, Miss Elliott and mineral products and machinery, a blockade is fald to the develop- the other side, Pte. Linten heard Mr. J. R. Luke.

ment of home industries thus en- the noise and came to the mullah.

dangering the expansion of local who rushed down to the Murray, William Peel, KCMG., KBE., an Pte, Sellars called to Pt. Linton His Excellency the Governor, Sir labour works: (2) local industries are ruined by the general decresse Path, got into a ricksha and went

companied by his A.D.C. will attend of textile tariff ratios, whereby en- Capital Punishment plainly can desire for Hong Kong is that she to the Victoria Recreation Club the United Church service in concouraging the influx of foreign not be the Reformative. An ex-

should continue the good work with the intention of resulng the nection with the Morrison Cen- goods. Local textiles are already perimental period could show how begun by our fathers, who, by Borderers, saw Corporal Giles and held at the volunteer Headquarters the introduction of the new Tarifi boy. Pte. O'Kelly, also of the tenary observances, which is to be on the verge of collapse, and with The Retributive view of punish-trade, have made Hong Kong the others in the nullah. Giles parade ground at 8 p.m., next Sun

is no longer considered what it is. To continue their good called to him and he also went today. tenable by any outstanding Chris- work meania for our generation the V.R.C. O'Kelly saw Michael tian thinker. It originates in that we should go forward to new Ple Coatis ins the water about Tegal and therefore an impersonal ventures of faith' in community twenty feet from the wall outside view of life. The law is useful life, letting gradually higher and the VR,C. He rescued tím, ren Just because it is impersonal. but higher ideals inspire us so that

dered first aid and took him to the when the final question of destroy-British Justice in the Far East Government Civil Hospital lag a personality is concerned the stands, not for conservative self- Pte. McCarthy and te, sim A display of books used and pro-and that they appear to be revised limit of useful, impersonal action righteousness, but for courageous mons who were in the Barracks at duced by Dr. Morrison is now be purposely in favour of Japan. has been reached.

Focial experiment and. under-the time, also heard the commo-ing held at the shop window of (7). Lastly, please understand standing, dealing with unfortunate tlon. They went down the west Messrs. Kelly & Walsh, Chater this is not, an official letter, but men and women, who, because of side of the nullah but met Road,

a person, impersonal treatment of them becomes intolerable.

(5) But Capital Punishment not only means treating a person impersonally. It means destroying that person. Whatever our beliefs about life after death, our theory of Capital Punishment

is not

days. This survival is only pos sible because of a habit of imper sonal thinking about those whom

we do not know as persons.

(6) Capital Punishment sur- vives from the days when retribu- tion was considered moral action. Punishment can be defined as:

(a) Retributive

(b) Deterrent (e) Réformative

far "16", is ́ or is not a deterrent.

ment

•

rain and the nullah was at least over knee deep in water for grown-up persoris. Apparently by the time Mrs, Fairburn had seen this incident, three children had already disappeared.

my views, or who wish to discuss them, further, to communicate with me as soon as posable. Our

their honourable traditions. of

He saw the N‚ÂAFI. "boy" trying

.

Ele

*

the

"Formerly" continued Mr. Hu. "all revisions in custom regulations had their rea- the sans, ald were forwarded to Legislative Yuan for approval, but. this time, it was not so, as dew tariff regulations drafted by the financial Ministry, passed by the Executive Yuan and was ap proved by the Government for exe- cution. They were not approved Secretary, according to the regular procedure,

Sunday's Service

Addresses will be given by the Bishop and by the Rev. Wong Of Tong, and there is to be massed choir. The "band of the South Wales Borderers will provide the hymn accompaniments.

an increasing number of church" their upbringing and their en- no one at all. They came to leaders, led by Dr. William Tem-vironment, menace our common the exit where the nullah en- ple, the Archbishop of York, are uile.

tered the scs. Someone told them convinced that the arguments In a matter so vital, I know that that the boy had been taken out. THE CHINA ASSOCIATION used to justify the death sen I have no need to apologise for They returned by the east side of tence in the past are no longer writing at some length, but I am, the nullah. There are three man valld. We believe that we are in Sir, most grateful to you for your terpreting the mind of Christ in courtesy.min.

pleading for abolition traini

I therefore write to ask any men

or women of good will who share

*Yours, etc.), a RONALD HONG KONG. Hong Kong. August 1, 1934,

holes somewhere about the Naval Yard. The nullah is dark except for the light which filters through

¿Continued on Page 11)

(Special Air Mall Service),

London, July 15..

!

they are worse than before. On the other hand, the increase of luxury tariff ratica is quite reason- able, but awabl, sea weeds, etc. which are not daily necessitles. have had their tariffs reduced. I we look through the whole of the revised tariff regulations we

CAT

at the Savoy Hotel The follow- ing were present:

Mr. HA, J. Macray, Sir Thomas Strangman, Mr. R. E. N. Padfield, Mr. F. Anderson, Mr. A. E. Fergu son, Mr. L. N. Leefe, Mr. Ellis: Hayim, Mr Charles V Sale, Mr. E Lt. Gen. Sir George Macdonogh M. Gull, Mr. M. Wolters, Mr. W. F presided at a luncheon of the Alexander, Mr. W. B. Kennett, Mr. China Association, held yesterday Looker, and Mr. H. C. Wilcox

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