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a.m. to 4 p.m., and by night running from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. According to the Hong- kong regulations, the times for each coolie should be fixed in this way.
Q. That is the regulation, but what happens?
A.-Two persons run one ricksha, but supposing I don't want to run to-day, I sell the day to another man.
Q.-By mentioning that, do you mean that that system of more than two men running one ricksha stops them from going to private employ?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the next point?
A.—When once employed by one gentleman, the coolie is not to be allowed to be taken on by another gentleman. Another point, I would ask your Honour to raise the wages a little bit.
Q. What wages would you charge if you supplied these men ?
A. First class eleven dollars, second class ten, third class nine.
Q. You divide them into three classes?
A. The difference in money encourages them.
The Chairman (to Interpreter).-He said something about according to the amount of work they did.
The Interpreter. When they first go into service they should be allowed nine dollars and, when they work better, promote them to second class, and raise their wages to ten dollars.
Q. We think that is a bit high. We think it would be much better if they did not get so much. It is higher than the present rate and, if you had control of all of the coolies, you could make a good thing of it and not charge so much, couldn't you? Although the price of food has risen, nevertheless we think that the prices that you mention are too high.
Witness. Five dollars for food and they perhaps have a wife and children to keep in the country.
Q-Yes, we know that, but they have no them quarters. Why don't you take a bit off?
rent to pay. Private employers give
Leave the rent out of the matter.
A. I can get cheaper men but they are not strong enough for the kind of work.
Q. If they are strong enough for godown work, they are strong enough for the work of a private chair or ricksha coolie.
A.-A private ricksha coolie must be a very young and strong man before he can do the work, because he can make five or six dollars a month up in Chu-chau.
Q.--What at ?
A. As a farm hand,
Q.-Nine, ten and eleven dollars are a bit stiff, I think.
A.--For my own part I can take a little less, but I don't think I can get better men unless the wages are better.
Q-But ten dollars is about the highest that is being paid now?
A.-No, twelve and thirteen dollars.
The Chairman.--We have not heard of any at that figure.
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