1936-05-30 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS SATURDAY, MAY

30, 1936.

SMUGGLING METHODS EXPOSED HONG KONG VOLUNTEER

INTIMIDATION CHARGE

LEVELLED

Shareholder Outspoken At Meeting

CRITICISM OF CUSTOMS

A vivid exposure of the methods and organisation of smuggling on China coast vessels was made by Capt. W. E. Kirby at the annual meeting of the Douglas Steam- ship Co. Ltd. yesterday.

In alleging coercion and intimidation against the snuggling organisation, Capi, Kirby quoted two cases in which it had caused the removal of two chief officer- because of their diligence in detecting unmanifested

cargo.

Douglas Co. Position

Following a reference to smug- aling in the chairman's speech, Capt. Kirby al-

We have just heard the chair- man, in his review of the company's working. 1oz the past year, com- ment upon among other matters.

the practice of smuggling. Inci- dentally, tals is the third occasion withia recent weeks when the chairman of local shipping com- panies has deemed this matter to he of such serious concern as to call for special reference being made to it in his address to share- holders

Initially, "I can endorse the chairman's remarks by reason of my close and almost daily contact with the floating and preventive stafa

Thereby I know that every Eu- man endeavour is sustained 10- wards minimising the loss and in- Convenience which is occasioned this and other coastal and river companies by the persistent and intermittent activities of smugglers.

any one of which may have been the actual owner of the property tor which the ship was penalised.

It that principle is to be accepted then by the same token one cannot challenge the hypothesis of the oc- cupant of a house being responsible for an abandoned child found on his doorstep?

ABSURD POSITION The positioa" is so obviously absurd that one is constrained to wonder whether considered and

serfous thought was accorded to the framing of such an enactment or whether it was visualised for what it simply is. an additional source of income to the disadvan- tage of foreign shipping?

The point that .5 seemingly deemed unworthy of note by the Chinese Authorities is that the smuggler, in the event of him being advised by contreres Onvartably close at hand) that circumstance+ are not propitious for getting his line of commodities immediately ashore, he can divest himself of any and all responsibility by the sample expedient of leaving such on the ship in a convenient spot, ZA elementary sequel, hto be retrieved later when Customs

You will also have doubtless read lately of the state of affairs in this respect which has manifested itself

in North China and which is but

as amagg.ing is rampant up and down: ne coast. We have our own reventive staff working in close co-operation with Dur floating staffs and the Hong Kong police, and our thanks are due to them for their willing co-operation in their endeavours to stop illicit trading as far as possible on our vessels.

It is disheartening to state that Anex have been inflicted on even small seizures made at coast ports when we ourselves are doing our utmost to assist the authorities in this preventive work. It the in- stigators of these crimes were punished by the customa AU- thorities, we feel that it would go

DEFENCE CORPS

BORDERS BY LIEUT.-COLONEL H. B. L DOWBIGGIN, O.BE COMMANDANT, H.K. VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS.)

GENERAL Appointment

"

His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint the follow- ing officers to be his Honorary Aides-de-Camp, with effect from May 6, 1936-

Second Lieutenant Henrigue. Al- berto De Barros Botelho. Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps.

(Government. Gazette No. 30. Notification No. 462 dated 20.5.36).

Holiday

Corps H.Q. will be closed on Mon-

a long way in substantially eur- talling the activities of smugglers.day, June 1

Competition has been very keen for the small amount of cargo moving new Vessels have been placed on the run in competition. and cargo and passenger rates have been reduced to rates which leave

vessels.

H

PARADE

Rehearsal-King's Birthday Parade A short parade will be held at Corps HQ. on Tuesday, June 2 at 5,40 p.m. One marker each from little to cover the operation of the Corps Infantry will report to RS.M. No. 1 Company. No. 3 Company and

at 5.30 pm. It is hoped that all' ranks attending the King's Birth- day parade on June 23 will turn.. out on Tuesday when the ceremoni- al to te performed on the 23rd will be explained.

TAXATION EFFECT

The present taxation of goods Imported Into and exported from China and the uncertainty of the position regarding the imposition of new taxes have had a very dis- couraging effect on our constitu- ents, a great number of whom have curtailed their activities to a bare minimum and are content to wait for better times, or at least until conditions become more settled.

Docking

and repair expenses have been higher than usual owing to the new survey requirements. Careful attention has been given to all outgoing in this direction, and also to the economical opera- tion of our vessels

Dress: Plain clothes, belt and side

arms

1st Battery

to Corps Orders No. 2 (1) of to-day's A Section: Attention is directed

date. All members attending the King's Birthday parade are expect ed to turn up for this rehearsal.

L Section: Next parade will be at Belcher's Fort on Friday, June 5 at 5.45 p.m..

Dress: Overalls, blue caps, gun platform shoes if Issued.

Corps Engineers

You may note that no allowance Tuesday, June, 2.-Corps re- has been made for depreciation onhearsal parade 5.30 p.m. All ranks

bur tonnage, as your consulting attending" the King's Birthday committee and general managers parade are expected to attend this ronsider

rehearsal.

that due to the ample provision made in the years 1933- 1934, the present fleet valuation as per balance sheet is well within its present market value, and expecial- ly when reflected in sterling.

"

Dress: Mufti, belt and side arms will be worn.

Thursday. June 11-DIs, will be manned at Belcher's, detalls later.

Note. There will be no parade on "Whitmonday, June 1.

Corps Signals

Our investments have fluctuated considerably in value during the period under review owing to the

Parade at Corps Headquarters at exchange conditions and I am glad 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 to be able to state that they show

Troop a substantial improvement in value

Parade at Causeway Bay Stable on what they at one time stood at

on Tuesday, June, 2 at 5.30 pm.. The policy of holding them rather than sell in order to liquidate our overdraft has proved to be beneficial.

during the year. 15

coun-

tory has hown, in any taw which adopts a policy of high tariffs, thereby enhancing the lucrative possibilities attendant on the importation of surreptitious cargo and contraband.

PLANNED BAND Secondly, in the continued efforts to cope with smuggling we are not dealing with a few scattered irre- sponsible individuals but with plan-

ned organisation which can and has brought into play the very potent factors of coercion, intimi- dation and even worse when suc- cessful opposition to their activities Es resulted.

The smugglers, through the dominant influence of those be hind them, have. In two specific cases within my knowledge during the past 18 months, been successful in having removed from their res- peotive ships and in this Colony, two chief officers whose diligence in searching bad led to the dis- comfiture of the smugglers by de- tection of the unmanifested cargo and the handing of such over to

the Chinese Maritime Customs.

I just mention this in passing so that you will, in this connection, have a slight laea what the carry- ing out of standing orders and duty" entails and also the strength of the forces with which both the com- panies and officers have to con rend.

CUSTOMS ATTITUDE

I would now refer to another as- pect of this problem on which the Chairman touched and that is the attitude of the Chinese Maritime Customs in holding the ship to ac count in respect of any unmani- ested article of cargo or stores sound on board.

The position is that, for example, should a stray parcel be discovered un board and unmanifested the ship is liable to be mulcted in a line of $200.

It matters not to whom that ar- ticle actually belonged: it has been

officials are not in the vicinity.

Armoured Car Section Section will parade at H.Q. on Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 4 at 5.30 pm, for Machine

I, do not think there is any more Gun Instruction. The full atten-

in the accounts that I can com-

dance of the Section's team in the ment upon so 'now beg to propose M.G. Competition is essential on that the report and accounts as

both of these dates. submitted be adopted and passed. As soon as this resolution has been seconded I will be pleased to answer to the best of my ability any ques- shareholders may desire to

In any case detection as a risk of the smuggler is practically non- existent: the unmanifested goods are either recovered later to his gain or discovered by the Customs, to the ship's debit.

In general coming increasingly serious for the position is be- both companies and officers and I trust that the substance of the re- marks I have made will be giventions due consideration in any further ask representations which may De deemed desirable on this matter to the Chinese Authorities,

Mr. Williamson- thank you,

Mr. Kirby, for your remarks. The position is very difficult and I see that you appreciate fr.

YEAR'S LOSS ›

EARLY IMPROVEMENT Mr. J. F. Wright said:- The reasons for the loss shown on last year's working, much as it is to be regretted have been fully explained by the chairman and can be appreciated by all of us who are aware of the conditions of trade in general during 1935.

It is to be hoped that there will be some improvement to be gained hom the managed currency. Trade generally seems to be benefitting and this should be reflected in im- proved conditions on the Coast. As pointed out by the chairman, the rate of exchange for remittances from Coast Forts has already shown substantial improvement.

Mr. Williamson said: After paying all running ex- penses, docking charges which have been high owing to the new survey requirements. premia of insurance and all allowances the loss on the year's working is $133,319.22 After transferring $100,000 from reserve and providing "for other chargés shown in the profit and loss ac- count, there remains a debit ba- lance of $33,319.22 from which must be deducted

the balance brought forward from last year. $10,795.70 leaving a debit balance to be carried forward of $13,523.52.

Your consulting committee and general managers regret the un- favourable "showing in these accounts as submitted. counts. It has been brought about entirely by adverse trading con- ditions "which have been 'accentu-

the past two years were used for It is fortunate that the profits of depreciating the Company's pro- pertics so fully. The consulting committee and general managers are to be congratulated on their conservative policy from which we are now benefiting.

Motor Machine Gun Section (1) There will be no parade on Monday, June 1.

on Wednesday, June 3 at 5.30 p.m. (2) Riding instruction will be held

at Headquarters,

No. 1 (M.G.) Company Attention is directed to Corps Orders No. 22(13)6 of to-day's date, All ranks attending the King's Birthday parade are expected to at-

tend this rehearsal, Belts and frogs must be brought.

No. 2 (Scottish) Company Company will parade on Thurs- Drill, under R.S.M. Parkinson. Belt day, June 4. at 5.30 p.m. for Arms and frog must be worn.

No. 3 (M.G.) Company There will be no paråde on Mon- day, June 1.

Tuesday, June 2 at 5.30 p.m. for The Company will parade on Corpe rehearsal parade.

The Company will parade on Thursday, June 4 at 5.30 p.m. for C.S.M. Slattery. Arms and Infantry Drill under

M.G. Bn. Signals be no regular parade for Sub- Wednesday, June 3-There will sections "A.” "B" and "C.”

N.C.Os, and men already detailed for the King's-Birthday parade are

R.A.S.C. Camber at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.

APPOINTMENT

7

No. 2105, Pte. E. C. Drown, No. 1 Coy., No. 2 Platoon, is appointed Lance Corporal with effect from 1.5.38.

TRANSFER

No. 1883, Pte. J. Wolfe, No. 1 Coy. Unit Reserve, is transferred to Armoured Car Section as from 29.5.36.

No. 2055, Pte. L A. Hurlow, Re- serve Section A. is transferred to MM.G. Section as from 29.5,38.

LEAVE

No. 2204. Sapper H. G. 9. 8led- lecki, Corps Engineers, is granted 12 months' leave as from 1.6.36 to 1.8.37.

STRUCK OFF STRENGTH

Armoured Car Section, as from No. 1748. Pte. G. W. Stabb.

25.4.38 (left the Colony),

(Sd) R. C. B. ANDERSON. Captain,

Adjutant, EE.V.D.C.

!:

AFFILIATED UNITS Nursing Detachment, H.K.V.D.C.§. The following have been enrolled on 29,5.36.

Mrs. D. Jilani, Mrs. P. R. Richards, Mrs. K. Campbell, Mrs. M. Davis,

Mrs. "D. I. Rodwell, Mrs. E. C. Boyd Shannon. Mrs. J. Smyth.

NOTICE

Baseball

The following will be the line-up In a League Match v, "Eastern" on Sunday, May 1 at the Pole Ground, Causeway Bay:

p Pereira

c Winglee

lb

de Sa

2b

Beltrao

'3b Abbas

ss D. Leonard

If Hassan

et N, Leonard

rf Bowen

Subs: Baleros. Delgado, Omar, Porter, Soares.

All those named above will please be on hand by 10.30 am, dressed in Baseball Uniform.

DONATIONS

St. John's Cathedral Organ Fund

Already acknowledged Anonymous......

T. P. Seabourne C. C. Black

8. J. C. Stanesby B. Jarvis Sundries

...... $1,101.00 100.00

50.00

20.00

20.00

5.00

1,75

$1.297.75

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

է

Student Denies Use Of Fists

Pang Kl-yip. 24, student, of No. 87 Ki Lung Street, second floor was committed to stand his trial at the next sessions on a charge of man- slaugher arising from a quarrel between the accused and a 48-year- old earth coolle named Chu Ban- lam, when he appeared before Mr. QA. A. Macfadyen at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday.

Det.-Inspector AH. Elston ap- peared for the prosecution.

Peng was alleged to have struct Chu twice with his fist and then

I beg to second the motion for expected to attend the Corps re-ren away. The quarrel was over a the adoption of the report and ac-hearsal on Tuesday, June z at 5.30 loan of 50 cents and took place at

CONSULTING COMMITTEE Mr. T. Ramsey moved and Mr. ated particularly by heavy fluctua Wong Ping-run seconded that Eir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. M. T. Johnson

p.m.

Stores. Sig. Rathmeli is appoint- ed acting Quarter-Master, and no equipment or stationery should be taken from the Section Office with- out reference to him. tion of tariffs which have aubs- and Mr. H. J. Armstrong be re-, tantially checked the even flow of clected members of the consulting { will parade for instruction on FT- "Despatch Riders.-Subsection "D" committee. The proposition wasday, June 5,

tions in exchange and the imposi-

commerce on this coust.

Heavy looses were incurred for the period under review in our re- mittances from our coastal

carried.

On the resolution of Mr. Chun

Corps Infantry Wing-kue, seconded by Capt. Patey, Birthday parade will parade at Members attending the King's

found on the ship and unman- agencles, exchange" at one time Messrs. Lowe, Bingham and Mat- Corps H.Q. at 5,30 pm, on Tuesday,

tested and that is considered by the Commissioners of Customs good and adequate reason for the im- position of a fine.

A mare logical and unreason able dictum it la difficult to con- ceive, especially when it is taken into consideration that the vessel so fined may have just completed disembarkation of anything up to. 800 or 300 native passengers and

touching 150, which meant a very heavy discrepancy when const port earnings were "converted to Hong Kong currency.

Fortunately this by the managed currency in Hong position has substantially improved ong which is now in closer rela- tionship to that of coast ports.

SMUGGLING RAMPANT High tariffs have meant a de- cided falling off in legitimate trade

Davies were re-elected auditors. thews and Messrs., Linstead and June 2 for Corps rehearsal parade.

Those present were:-Messrs. §.

Platoon Commanders will please Williamson (chairman), M. Tsee that the necessary numbers sulting committee), C. L. Farmer on the practice night. Johnson and HJ. Armstrong (con-rom their Platoons are on parade (secretary) and Chun Wing-kue. Wang Ping-sun, Wong, Min-hin Parade at Corps H.Q. at 5.30 p.m. Hui Châu nam. T. Ramsey, P. C. on June 2, for lecture. Potts and J. F. Wright and Capt. V. E. Kirby, and Capt. W. B. Patey (shareholders).

Air Arm

Army Service Corps Cadre The next lecture for the AS.C. Cadre will take place at the

Wong Chuk Street, Shamshuipe on May i.

Chu at the time was accompanied by his wife and son, On arrived at the Kowloon Hospital Chu was pronounced dead by the medical attendant."

Electing to rake a statement from the witness box, Pang said:

I myself in fact did not kil Chu San-Jam with my fists. If I have killed him let the "Flye Thundreds" kill me! That is all

I have to say. I have nothing to add to what I said in my. statement in answer ta" the.. charge. I did not use my flats. Pang, intimated that he had, no witnesses tu call in his defence,

In committing accused to stand his trial at the sesalons, the Ma- gistrate remarked the considered that there was a case for the jury to decide.

FORMAL

EVENING.

GOWNS

For the

KING'S

BIRTHDAY BALL

LADIES' SALON PHONE 128151

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

Over

38

Miles

per Gallon

WITH A

Morris "8"

PERFORMANCE PLUS ECONOMY

Sole Agents:-

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

Telephone 28025.

HONG KONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

All donations gratefully received by the

Hon. Treasurer Mrs. M. J. De Ville,

265, The Peak.

Old Clothes at

The Daily Press Building Mondays & Thursdays.