1888-10-13 — Page 2

ttons.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY,

THE Chinese corvette Kwan-kap arrived this THE Goverment Astronomer reports, to-day afternoon from Canton,

that the typhoon appears to have approached Luzon,

BISHOP BURDON and Mrs. Burdon left for

A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD. Foochow yesterday by the steamship Haitan.

OUR NEW SEASON'S

A MEETING of the Victoria Recreation Club was "LOWER `AND VEGETABLE SEEDS held in the Gymnasium to-day, at 5 pm, to FLOWER

consider the arrangements for the forthcoming ARE NOW READY.

Regatta Flower Parcels of go Packets, price, $16.00 WE are informed that Messrs. Gibb, Livingston 3.00 & Co. have received a telegram from Captain Vegetable

Scotland, of the steamship Ghasee, informing them of her departure from Touron for this port, this evening.

of 20 of 45

P

เป

Single Packets at list prices.

SPECIAL FLORIST'S SEEDS.

7:53

in Packets of six or more named varieties,

viz

CLOVE PINKS-PANSIES-PHLOX-

HOLLYHOCKS-PORTULACĂ, VERBENA

and PETUNIA.

MIGNONETTE MACHEL (The New Variety),

Priced Catalogue on application. THE HONGKONG DISPENSARY, Manean, 31st August, 1998.

The Hongkong Felegrap

HomeRONG, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888,

TELEGRAMS.

(Reuters)

IMPENDING, COLLIERY STRIKE.

LONDON, October 11th.

A great strike of colliers is impending in Yorkshire.

THE EMPEROR. OF GERMANY. The Emperor of Germany has gone to Rome

LOCAL AND GENERAL. We have received from Mesars, Lane, Crawford & Co. Let's Colonial Rough Diary for 1889, an eminently serviceable accessory to the desk.

WE are informed that the benefit concert held at the Theatre Royal, City Hall, realised $150 free of all expenses, and that this sum has been handed to Major General Gordon and Father Burghignoli, to be deposited at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, at the disposal of the widow of the late C. Pereira.

We heard it reported to-day that the Dock dozen of their Portuguese employés connected Company Directorate have dismissed half a

with the Kowloon establishment. We give the NOND SINGH, P.C. 729. was brought up on

rumour for what it is worth; if it be true, the remand this morning, before Mr. Pollock, on only construction that we can put on it is that the charge of causing the death of Liu Atak Szit is the upshot of the "Jesus" affair. We -Mr. Wotton appeared on defendant's behalf-

presume that reasons of sufficient weight have Evidence was adduced for the prosecution

induced the Directors of the Dock Company to similar to that already reported, and the hearing adopt such a sweeping measure, and it is to be was again adjourned.

hoped that the moral derived from it will not be forgotten for years to come by the servants, of the Company.

A TEN year old schoolboy was "stood up" before Mr. Wodehouse this morning on the heinous charge of having given another school. boy a licking. The injured ragamuffin detailed at length the epithets which were exchanged before the assault took place, and was about

the ease. The lad's mother objected to this in the ordinary valible maternal style, wanting to know what sort of a Court that was supposed to be, but a judicial threat to sentence her to death soon stopped the flow of language.

OCTOBER 13, 1888.

of a

this coast, we must do it universally by either We must rise en masse and ask for justice and for justice, and we 77kar of laws for increasing the demand or curtailing the supply. and our rights, for a better system of manage the suppression of tyranny wherever it exists; Now, our relative position with regard to chips ment, for an increase of pay throughout, for they will be framed and enacted-they must be and shipowners and the increase of the demand higher educational standard as the reason fur for labour is of so little consequence that we the increase of pay, for the prohibition of any inconceivable manner? Why are ships con- Why, Sir, are so many ships lost in the mast could not increase it a ball per cent,; thus but carefully educated and properly, indentured tinually in collision, continually stranding, con it is apparent that we must curtail the-supply.apprentices from becoming candidates for extinually happening with peculiar accidents whose must be the expulsion and forther prohibition of from the British Mercantile Marine; we musi The first step towards curtailing the supplyanination, and for the prohibition of foreigners nanic is legion? Why do the yearly expenses all foreigners from the British Mercantile Marine ask for the repeal of the law which cuslaves us and, also their prohibition from obtaining ind holds the log book continually over our certificates at the Band of Trade. This mus heads, making abject cowards of us. We must of course be done by act of Parliament, and, like ask for the repeal of that law which, compels which I am about to propese, will be seen to be the second step in the curtailment of supply us to work all day and all night every day in the week, and which; in the 19th century, tells quite feasible.

us that we must work 16 hours out of the 21, and that our feeding and sleeping must be done in the remaining 8 hours, this law which caslaves us body and soul, in the age of freedom this law which enslaves thousands of strong men who sweat and go beneath the yoke, and yet who have not the spirit to fight againsi it and ibrow it off.

half-way through when the Magistrate dismissed choice. Once the post of judge at the Hich command, together with dischanes and than of pay, for no other reason than that of com-

'MR. J. DYER BALL has given, another proof of his untiring energy in the field of Chinese language and literature in the tiny volume just published, under the title of "How to write radicals. A glance at the pages of the work is sufficient to reveal the progressive method which te author has adoptet, Madicals formed by one stroke of the pen constitute the initiatory chapter of the work, and are followed by succes- sive methods of writing radicals up to those formed of fifteen strokes. An acurans on the practical use of the Chinese Dictionary com- pletes the work. We recommend it to the penisal of all students of the language of the Flowery Land.

|

The laws of supply and demand control every branch of industry, tiore particularly those which are only attainable by the possession of certificates of competency, viz. the civil services of the United Kingdom and hitia. The consular service, the army, the pavy, the Church, these are all governed by this law, why canot the Mercantile Ma ine be, at least, with regard to certificates. of competency to be granted for service in all ships of over hundred tons registered tonnage 2 PETER the Cruel, king of Castile, who lived in At present, 1 before mentioned, certificates the fourteenth century, was a wise and clever are granted to whomsoever presents himself for monarch. He himself appointed the judges of examination, provided he has the few nece saty his kingdom, and was extremely careful in his figures and the answers to a few questions at his refer. Court of Seville was vacant, and there were three

ences for a term of sea service of not less competitors in the field. Peter III.- invited the four years, in whatsoever capacity he may have three to his palace of the Alcazar, and pointing chosen to be. In this wise, sailmakers, carpenters, stewards, and cooks as well as seamen have to the half of an orange which was floating on a sheet of water in the grounds, he asked them: obtained certificates at the Board of Trade and "What is that?" "It is an orange," said the are now serving as officers in many companies, first, whitout hesitating, "It is half an orange,"

Now, all the world over, it has been proved replied the second, with equal promptitude, that knowledge is poster, and that celucation, to And as the third made no answer, the king the already naturally-gifed man of decent breed repeated his question. Then the third candidate, ing strengthens and refines his natural courage laying hold of the stick which the king held in

and makes him the more suitable for a post of his hand, drew the orange to the edge The trust, especially where pluck and perseverance. water, and, after carefully turning round ..d together with a fair share of common sense and round, he cautiously observed, "Sire, I take it to presence of mind, are required. Undaunted be the half of an orange" Then the king, courage and presence of cul are two essentials laying his hand on his shoulder, said, "You are

to the thorough officer and future comunander of sensible man, and shall have the vacant post,

any vessel, no matter what her size or trade, for, unlike the other two, you declined to con

These are natural gifts, of course, and very one mit yourself before having thoroughly examined possesses them in a greater or less degree, hat, the question, even though you might have been

in the uneducated man it is uute courage, sure you were not mistaken. That is what which, though fiercer than the refined and everyone ought to do who aspires to the immense moral courage of the clucated, is more easily. WE are favoured with a copy of the Lisbon honour of juiging the actions of his fellow-men."

daunted, his share of presence of mind being newspaper "A Folha do Comunercio," of the

synonymous with the first law of nature- 4th ulto, containing an engraved portrait of THE following. further particulars of the finance reservation. But more than the possession Colonel A. J. Garcia, of the Macao Garrison, as and trade of the Straits Settlements, may be adde

of these qualities. in their uncultivated state well as his biography. As the worthy Colonel

to the items we published yesterday:The estis required of the thorough commander, as is has been made the butt of many sa

unfair caticism and acrimonious attack in the Lisbon estimated expenditure $3,997,825, leaving a sur-

mated revenue for 1889 is $1.389.339, and the demonstrated with every day's recurrence of the papers, since his return front the Acting plus of $41,514. The revenue from the Opie that these qualities are only to be brought fatal shipwrecks, collisions and strandings that come before our notice. I am firmly convinced Governorship of Timor, we think the Folha

and Spirits farms was $624,000 a year as against da Commercio" in publishing his long record $744.800 in 1885. Land Rents, in the last five up to the necessary stale, of perfection by educa. of services in Macao and Timor has success. years have increased from $109.512 to $138,250

tion and a thorough course of early training. fully put a damper on the idle talk of The estimate for the next year is $152,000. H.E. which the average officer of the present day has evil tongues Colonel Garcia Finded in Macao

the Governor remarked, in his annual statement been deprived of. in 1857 and is consequently a resident of 31 before the Legistative Council:-"Regarding the

Well, since this is evidently the case, nothing years' standing in the Far East. During that surplus balances of the Colony, $850,000 were

seems more natural than that education, should ime he has rendered invaluable services in invested in Government of India Loan Notes.bernade the standard by which men are to obtain Macao and Timur.

In the course of this year, it became advisable

their certificates, instead of the palpable ignor We have all read of the seven sleepers, and and this

to make a further investment of $200,000,

ance which is displayed every day at the Board was remitted to London as

of Trade examinations. It is also 'af as great wondered at their Morphician powers. The China geld investment. And after consultation with Mail beats all record in the devious manner in the Secretary of State, the Government has

interest and consequence to the general public which it publishes news that are old and already decided on transferring also portion-3500 000

that a merchant vessel should reach her port of destination in safety as well as a Man-of-War, published in its own columns. On the 5th inst. a Reuter's Telegram was published by our

of the Indian investment, which now gives four the one having as many difficulties to encounter, evening contemporary and by ourselves to the percent. interest, to London to be invested in and requiring an equal amount of navigation effect that the French Government had taken anticipate that this investment will be as the other. In these enlightened times of

mide at an equally advantageous rate, making civilized warfare it is indisputably necessary that measures" to compel all foreigners purposing allowance for Income Tax which is now charged the officers of the Mercantile Marine should

o scule in France to give the particulars as to their age, occupation, etc. The China Mail man

in India. I do not doubt that this Council passess education, moral and physical courage, must have taken a long siesta over that news, to have adopted, in view of the prospect, times of enormoils transport, despatch carrying will concur in considering this a prudent course common-sense and presence of mind, in a greater for in yesterday's issue he trois out the following according to high financial authority, of exchange and fast cruising, all their faculties are often degree than heretolare, because, in these paragraph as a wonderful piece of information falling still lower, and of the fact that (taking called into play. To bring about the accom- for the public: "We observe from a telegram in the Singapore papers that foreigners propos.

an illustration from last year's accounts) the ing to settic in France have to give the particulars amounted to over $45,000. But litle money is the second process of curtailing the supply loss in exchange in meeting Home charges plishment of this very necessary contingency, as to age, etc. The China Afoil has printed required on account of expenditure in India, and begins. in bold letters on its title-page- Established in

the interest on the reduced Indian investments By kind permission of Colonel D. G. Andersen, stand the test of truth in our evening contem- Liability of the Colony arising out of the 8. We think this is the only thing that can

is in excess of those requirements. The the Regimental Band will play in the Publicporary's uninterrupted career of Gardens, to-morrow (Sunday), from 9 till to p.m.

blunders

old Loan of 100.000, obtained under provi- The following will be the programine -

sions of Ordinance No. 1 of 1887, stood at the **Far Away"Ailant

close of last year at 32,600. This is the only Die Felsenminade”.

*

debt which the Colony has incurred, and its liquid ation must be left to the operation of the Sinking Fund."As regards the trade of the colony, the total tonnage af vessels which entered into and cleared from Ports last year amounted to 8,918,600 tons, an increase of 215,854 tons over Rental. the Returns of 1886. This vast mass of ship $809,370 ping carried cargoes of the aggregate value of

638,165 $263,664,131 (roughly speaking £40,000,000). 214.410

Tux Rev. Dr. Jenkins, a Massachusetts. clergy- man, says that "there are in that State 330 needless churches wasting the Lord's money," ALBERTI hear that our mutual friend, Miss Elderly, has married'a corn doctor. Ethel-Yes, she has succeeded at last in getting a 'man at her feet. How romantic she is!

We would draw our readers' attention to the interesting correspondence we publish in another "column on one of the most vital topics of the day-the grievances of our toilers of the deep. A REGULAR meeting of St. John Lodge, No. 618, S. will be held in Freemasons Hall. Zetland Street, this evening, at 8.30 for 9 o'clock precisely. Visiting brethren are cordially invited. TO-MORROW morning between 9 n'clock the steam-launch carrying the Rethel and 10.30 flag will call alongside any vessel hoisting code pennant C, to convey men ashore to 17 a.m. service at St. Peter's Seamen's Church, return- ing about 12.30.

March

Overture.....

Vale

Selection Vale........

"

Reluicer. Bucalinai Offenback. ........Roader. Jonn Monan, Bandmaster.

"Matime Favart“... "Coelolier"

A WHARF thief got his deserts from Mr. Wode- house this morning. A fortnight age he was caught leaving the Thaler with a pair of dun- garee pants belonging to an engineer, in his possession. He said he was taking them to put in the City Hall Muscum, but after being twice remanded admitted that he was stealing them, and wanted to be discharged. The charge was pressed, as only last night a clock was stolen from the ship as she lay at the jetty, and within the last. three months three watches and chains had been taken from the Thales. He will come out in the dawning of year.

CHINESE tailors to day do not seem to be the patient pattern-imitators of the story-books, judging by experience. Maria Lempke, a married woman residing in Chine-rond, engaged A clothes-fabricator named Chan Asing to work for her last week. She gave $2.50 a week and his tiffin, and his hours were from eight to five. The first day he was a model; next day he went to sleep; and on the third day he did everything wrong. When Mrs. Lempke tried to show him how she wanted the pattern, and fixed it up with pins in the ordinary incomprehensible feminine way, this ninth part of a Chinaman simply slapped her face and told her to "go away, you stupid,"adding that she knew nothing of European clothes, and then reclining in a long chair. She told him to go away, but instead of doing so, he used choice Chinese and threw the scissors at her. A policeman had to be called in before he would be quiet. Of course, he denied all this. The case was remanded.

ACCORDING to the new Domesday Book of England, about two-thirds of the land of England and Wales is held by 10,207 owners, of whom sixteen proprictars, outside of London were returned in 1873 as either holding more than 50,000 acres or having estimated rentals of over half a million sterling a year. They were:

Acres,

Duke of Northumberland....181,616 Duke of Devonshire........126004 Sir W. W. Wynn............. 87 250 Duke of Cleveland....... Earl of Carliste..... Duke of Bedford... Earl of Lonsdale. Earl of Powis...... Duke of Ruiland.... Earl of Derby

.81.441

75 540

74,996

67457

1

00.511

57,082

56,471

55.272

54,015 52,362 51517

10.109

Earl of Yarborough..... Lord Leconfield...... Marquis of Ailesbury..... Earl Cawdor................ Sir Lawrence Palk. Sir. J. W. Ramsden......... 8,589

*

309,220

248,005

638,265

CRICKET..

HONGKONG CRICKET CLUB V., LADIES' RECREATION CLUB,

1

349 795 313.470 354.990 $15,975 This match, the second of the season, was 381,130 played this afternoon, in the presence of a fair 259 700 number of spectators. As the scores show, the 200,150 champions of the tender sex carried all before 174.935 them, at least as far as our report goes. The 546.375

gue was rather slow, and the fielding very exceptionable. The band of the 58th Regiment played a pleasant programme during the after- noon. The scores were as follows:

838,00

WE are glad to note that the programme of the sixth Rifle meeting of the Hongkong Ride Association, to be held at Kowloon on the oth proximo, is a vast improvement on last year's arrangements. It goes without saying that among the various sources of pastimes open to residents of this Malia and Gibraltar of the Far East, Rifle practice stands out prominent as one of the most useful, invigorating and manly exercises. Citizens who follow peaceful avoca- tions in town are affordeil ample opportunities to distinguish themselves in markmanship at the Kowloon Ranges, which we consider to be an excellent novitiate for our sharp. shooters of the future, an imitation landwehr.. which we pught to do our best to foster ment of sharp-shooters could be mustered from and patronise. On an emergency fully a regi- the members of the Rifle Association: a separate body of men well trained in target practice would be an invaluable acquisition to our defence schemes, It is on this principle that we view with pleasure the gradual increase, the progress, and the usefulness of the Rifle Association of Hong. kong. May it live and prosper 1

HONGKONG CRICKET CLUB.

"Piss Intro,

Capt. Stanley, Coxoo

Dr. Sparrow, R.Ne Johnston, b Bale. Malphasson. Canon, & Johnstonian CP. Pedlar, Johnsson... Dr. Roblits, b Johnnon.

G. H. Foru, Johnnon....

F. W. Firth, Coxon ........

V: A., C. Hawkins, not out....... 2. O Smith, b Coxon..... Major Church, b Johnson.... Dr. Atkinson, Johnston ......

Extras

Totalin

LR CLUB. Fit Inning),

E. E. Higginbotham, (h), & Churchit!

E. M. Bait, K.E., Firt

F. Maldand, Atkinson, b Smith...

Coxos, e Sparrow, b Smich

A. A. Lloyd ((8th), c Pirth b Smik

T. Sencombe-Smith, Stanley..

A de t. Scanlan, e Daskine,

Maine Miles, b Church

Stealey

33

PH. Johnstone (8th), c Hawkins Churchill 14

A. Tomes, run out A. G. Stoker, not of

Total

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by Correspondents in this column.]

WITH reference to inaccuracies which are the bane of newspapers, we would call our morning contemporary's attention to its Macao corres pondence of the 12th inst. published in today's issue. The precious bit of information emanating from the Holy City runs as follows: By the French mail steamer arrived Count and Countess de Bardi, etc." This is evidently a piece of Hongkong news,-first published by ourselves, -which has been appropriated by the Macao In the year 1679 two cavaliers entered Lincoln's correspondent, communicated to the Daily Inn Theatre, London, and attempted to set it on Press, and as readily, or as verdantly, published fire, because their greatest enemy, the Duchess by the morning Granny, What meaning can be of Portland, was in at the time. The result of attached to an information coming from Macan this attempt was a very serious affray, in which to the effect that two illustrious t

passengers have many people were injured. Again, in 1721, at arrived by the French mail steamer in Hongkong? the same theatre, while the play of "Macbeth" Does the Daily Press wish its readers to believe was in progress, a gentleman walked across tho that Count and Countess de Bardi, who are still stage, the back of which at that period was here, have arrived in Macao "by the French seated for the public, to speak with a friend. Of HOW mail steamer Saghallin ?" We are loth to course the manager resented this sort of conduct indulge in the occupation of searching for motes and for his pains was rewarded with a blow in in other people's eyes; but when we are uncere the face. A brawl ensued; part of the audience moniously taxed with allowing inaccuracies to appear in these columns, particularly as regurds news emanating from that unfathomable sink of colonial life in the Far East-the Holy City to wit-we feel bound to show up our punctilious, immaculate and infallible-contemporaries before animpartial public. Astotheanyingwhich we have had dioned into our cars time and again, that we are treated by the literary men of the Daily "Press and Ching Mall stamp to a silent con tempt, we and comfort in the idea that there is a contempt which is pre-eminently asinine, and that it is silent enough i

supported the offender and the other part the manager., Soon the two divisions of the house were engaged in a free fight, but the manager's division proved victorious and expelled the other party. Matters, however, did not end here, for the marauder, reinforced from the outside, returned, smashed mirrors and mouldings, hurled lighted porches among the scenery, and refused to desist until compelled by the turning out of the military, In consequence of the riot the theatre had to be closed for a week and a guard stationed to prevent like occurrences in the futuro.

SLAVERY IN THE BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE.

IT CAN BE ABOLISHED AND THE BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED AFTER ITS ABOLISHMENT,

TO THE EDITON of the "Hongkong T-cadraph," the cause of shipwreck, it may, perhaps, be DEAR SIR,With regard to my exposition of distasteful to many of your readers, though without doubt there is considerable truth in it hence its distastefulness.

of pay, from which path 1 deviated owing to Now, Sir, to turn to the subject of increase

how the laws of supply and demand control our "Mail Boat's" little pleasantries, we must first see labour market. To begin with, as things stand at present, the supply of officers is at least 3 per cent. greater than the demand's so, before we can attempt to regulate the scale of pay on

There must be a law enacted prohibiting anyone who has not passed his time at school until he is seventeen years of age, and, who has not subsequently passed four years at sea as a properly indentured apprentice, from becoming candidate for examination. This naturally brings him to the generally supposed mature age of twenty-one, before, which time, I sincerely believe, that no boy, no matter how smart or clever he may be, is physically or mentally fit to take charge of a ship's deck or to be put in charge of any number of men or even boys, though at present it is done everyday, with what result you can better imagine than describe. This would prevent the aspiring youth who has been sent to sea at the age of thirteen or fourteen (I have b.en shipmates with hays of twelve) as an apprentice, and, who consequently knows nothing is unfit to learn, and does nothing but shirk his work for at least the first three years of his apprenticeship-from obtaining a certificate at an unripe age, thus endangering public safety. It would also prevent sailmakers, carpenters, able-seamen, cooks and stewards, from obtaining them at all, thus preventing gnorance, brule courage, doubtful common-sense and presence of mind, from taking the place of education, refined courage, moral and physical, accomplishments, unshaken common-sense and undoubted presence of mind."

Supposing this first step accomplished and the examination for the and grade certificate, that of wate, raised to that of the present standard for 1st mate, doing away with the present and mate's certificate altogether with the addition of a few of the elements of mathematics, a little Euclid and trigonometry, and a thorough know ledge of English grammar, and the geography of the world.

ship seein as great as before, although we have all the latest improvements and appliances for economy and despatch in them? Why? oficeret, and because these officers are driven to Because, in the first place, they are badly. their wits end by the continual cry of competi tion, fast. passages and the, to them, dread con sequences of failure, that they fail to take time and proper precaution in the navigation of these ships, and because youngsters of sixteen and seventeen are allowed to take, charge of them. Secondly, because the officers are careless and indifferent, they being only paid to exist, not 10 work. Why are these ships badly offered? Because the ships are bally and carelessly found, because they are overloaded and unsen worthy, because their officers are badly paid, and because capital in, a hundred and one different ways makes labour's life a burden and a curre, to show him (labour) that he (capital) is

master.

Let us have law, order, and discipline, but not slavery, for we are slaves, and the poorest of bond slaves; because, when we put our hands to pen and sigh articles we aid and abet out masters and lawmakers in their fearful in- justice. We can and will work night and day, when property and life is in danger, but why should we work day and night without increase petition between ship owners and merchants by which we reap no benefit, simply becau9 the law is on the side of re Shipowner?

Why should we work on Sunday? Why should we work thus we even the poorest paid and most ignorant artisan or which labourer won't, unless he gets ove is once and a half his day's pay for six hers work? Why should we work thus on Su plays when he won't, when he is prevented by law from sal the hardships, privations, and risks; a man doing and is punished if he attempt it?

Why should we?

Why should we aid and assist in hurrying on the end of the world; for, are there not six days in a week on which to work, and by working on the seventh, are we not hastening to that culminating point civilization and science which am convinced has been chaos before, and which will again end in chaos?

Ate shipowners' properties more valuable than those of manufacturers, mine owners, founders. builders and millers? are they perishable goods which won't last untill to-morrow's market open is there any greater necessity for despatch in one class of industry. than in the other? is the demand greater than the supply? No! nota thousand times, no, for, as with labour, the supply is far in excess of the demand.

So why make slaves of us?

Why compel us to work day and night, Sunday and Monday, without remuneration?

Why rob us of the only pleasure,we have, of the only time we get in one working year? Why compel us, whose lives are hard enough, to work the live-long year, or, father, to work incessantly from the morning to the evening of our lives? Ah! Why?

Capital, who is law-maker as well as master, docs as seemeth him good, so that, in order to be come possessed of what is right and proper, viz., comparative equality and justice, we must have a labour candidate as our representative, not a man who makes laws to suit his own interests, neither a man actunted by a desire for place preferment, nor a man who merely desires a seat in the house for the glory of the thing."

By Labour representative, I mean a man who has experienced the slavery of a Mercantile Marine officer's life, a man who has experienced

who throughly understands what is required of him and for us; a man who can conscientiously country's law-makers and ask them to repeal and feelingly stand up before his press and his these si very legalizing laws, and enact others if they will, but, let them repeal that law which gives the master of a ship power to do pught. save the crime of murder, and which renders the slightest remonstrance on the part of his officers, on any subject whatsoever, as afutiny by death, or, at least, by henry fine and lengthy on the high seas-Maliny, a crime punishable imprisonment.

in this enlightened age, with the grand much of For Jack, 'tis well enough, Sir, but think you intellect and science making itself felt even to. the bowels of the earth, that we, the officers of the Mercantile Marine, requice a law which enslaves us andere ders us unfit to do our duty to God or man, and is a cloak for tyranny. we, who should be as responsible agents and as guardians of law and order, in taking care of the well-being and the floating properties of Her Britanic Majesty's lieges?

that which treats of the length of our working The other 'w which requires repealing is day and tells us that, we must work 15 hours a day if the commander so wills it, and that, if the master deems it necessary, we must work the whole 24 hours or until such time as there is no longer necessity.

Where does the necessity begin or end? Surely. not in harbour, or lying at a wharf, for there life and property are not in jeopardy.

Where is your courage, fellow toilers of the deep? know ye not that your grievance is nearly the greatest in this world? for ye are legalized slaves and ye know it, and ye wear out your lives in useless lamentation at your inhuman bondage and in venting impotent and vapid maledictions at your masters. And, as one looks on you and listens to your useless

This law was framed for the protection of cursings one is carried back to the days property in cases of dire distress, in cases where of negro slavery and is inclined to cry out: life and property were in imidinent peril, but not Ye abobtionists of slavery, where are ye; why as a cloak for the tyranny which is exercised by don't ye cume forward and emancipate the most the owner through the commader, to the officers

us rather rise and break the yoke that binds us vessels at night or on Sunday when in port, ill-used slaves of the nineteenth century? Let and men every day. Neither was it framed and show the world that we are men, are bunan, though is still a cloak which hides all these not such an ignominious fate happen us, but let as a compulsory measure for the working of and have rights like other men. Why do we tricks and renders every officer afraid to say show the world that its most essential industrial interested in shipping would not have such a permit it? Why don't we rise superior to it and No Were it not for this law, owners and those body has rights and wants them; has also a hold on us, neither could the law of supply and position in the world's affairs far superior to the demand control our actions so entirely. Tut law present one, and will have it? These are ques

was ever one-sided. We are made to give all, and tions which naturally force themselves on the get nothing; not even the proverbial stone.

am not declaiming here against the cloth- against ship masters, neither do I advocate doing nothing for our money, but I am asking that education and comparative refinement may take the place of ignorance and brutality, for. 'tis ignorance alone which makes the shipmaster the slave of the owner, and makes him exert his transient and chameleon-like, authority,-to-day he is "Kapling" to-morrow "Conk

minds of all,

I

We are an immense body, we officers and sailors of the British mercantile marine, so large that our numbers are beyond the ordinary con- ception of the general public, and one strike for justice, comparative equality and rights would be no miner's or ordinary artisan's strike, but one that would make the earth tremble to its centre, alike, for any period we liked, in its vastness. and would suspend human animation and trade

and a grander victo y for is possible, is ever readiness to bow to the august will of the

Aye would ba

By ignorance, besides the want of education, I vast, a grand undertaking mean weakness, vacillation, indecision, and that practicable, 'tis probable, and, had we a tithe of

owner and kiss the ground, whether he be right. the clannishness and spirit of resistance which characterises certain country cousins of ours, and by dread of the consequences of doing aught but or wrong. This is simply fear, and is induced any ordinary class of artisans, labourers or what is ordered, whether it be practicable or not; mechanics, we might begin at once, and, having and here again, we feel the laws which govern once begun, we might consider our grievance the labour market. Could we but say: No! nearly the greatest human grievance of the age-we will not work for any consideration on half redressed.

we work more than 10 hours a day, nor at night Sunday, either in or on leaving port, neither will unless we are adequately paid we might looks for some respect from our fellow mortals, and hold up our heads in public places, and claim a share in the world's affairs.

We must strike the blow for liberty and increase of pay, alone and unaided, as 'twould be worse than useless to look to shipowners and shipping interests to assist us, or to suppose that any philanthropist would step forward and help us, for, here the Laws of supply and demand step in and ruin us for twould be against his creed to curtail the supply of labour,

Marine fe, all certificated men whether serving as officers or not.. These clubs will be properly instituted, and invested with ordinary club rights and will not be Marine Officers Temperance. Associations, neither will they be under the control of any but, seafaring influence; to the winds with total abstinence and its advocates. Then, when these clubs are in perfect working order and under proper control, the question al organizing a Brotherhood will be mooted, which besides the ordinary benefits to be derived from unity and strength will provide shipwrecked officers, who have lost their all and cannot. recover damages or recompense, with a reason- able outfit and with food and lodging until employment is found. It will further provide. for unemployed indigent officers who have lost employmeat otherwise than by their own wrong- ful act or grievous faults, drunkness and insub. ordination to lawful commands."

Now, Sir, for the scheme by which all this is to be accomplished. In the first place, a properly organized club system must be started which Besides, shipowners, who are Jawmakera know will provide a club at every shipping centre our natural weakness, our inability and disinclin-exclusively, for officers of the British Mercantile ation to help ourselves; they, not unnaturally abuse us, threaten us, make our lives a burden to us, and if we show fight, kick us out of employment at a moment's notice, thereby causing us perhaps loss of years of service and rendering us comparatively helpless in the future. Oh we are such I would advocate only two grades of certificate, abject slaves. Thus, they inadvisedly go to the the 2nd grade to be necessary to the occupation heapest market, and, instead of doing aught that of any post as 2nd, 3rd or 4th mate, the 1st grade would raise our wages they naturally depreciate to be granted for the post of 1st male and master, them still further, thereby causing in us a distaste and to be obtained after two and a half years for our occupation, preventing us likewise from sea service as and male, with the proviso that taking more interest in our work, of our employers the successful candidate for 1st grade certificate or their property, than is absolutely necessary to pass one and a half years as 1st mate, before he our livelihood." By this means the men who be available for service as master.

have education, who have real and true manly This 1st grade examination to comprise all spirit are prevented from joining such a service, the higher branches of navigation and seaman- or, having joined it, leave it in disgust at the first ship, nautical surveying, hydraulics, a thorough favourable opportunity, to take employment in knowledge of the laws of storms and atmos- far inferior shore services and at far greater pherical phenomena, one European language, reduction in pay. So, as long as this continues iogether with a more than superficial knowledge and our labour market is left entirely and directly of the relative values of metal, and a much under the condition of the laws of supply and more than superficial knowledge of the position demand, it can never right itself, but must be and use of the safety valve on a boiler, as also of righted. the position and use of the engine, and very Another much more also of the actual consumption fact that shipowners by some peculiar means point in this argument is the of coal necessary to the production of entirely lose sight of the labour and capital ques- any given steam pressure, which last, though it may seem absurd, is really a matter of vital importance to the better economizing in the yearly expenses of a steamer, and consequently which is making itself more apparent every to the pockets of the owners, This is a truth

day.

Now, sir before this very desirable and fensible end could be accomplished wc, must sentatives, one each for. London, Liverpool, claim suffrage and three parliamentary repre- and Cardiff, the shipping, of the smaller ports in England, Scotland and Wales to be repre- sented by these three-in-equal-division, the Irish shipping to be represented at Liverpool, Now comes the tug of war, the fiery ardeal officers of the British Mercantile Marine and which is to try the iron of the pluck of the prove whether they be good and true, men, because there will be privation for a time, and necessary outlay of capital to the consummation of this end, in the form of a provident relief fund.

competent and tried secretasies who have proved These clubs to be managed by thoroughly themselves true to the cause of right, and to be appointed by a properly organized committee of yearly subscription, which will take the form of the Brotherhood. The clubs to be kept up by a general fund, no, one club at any one time to. hold subscription or other monies, the expenses of each to be surrendered for the general fund,

All surplus money at the close, of each suc ceeding year to be laid by for a Provident Relief Fund,

tion, that is, that to the proper employment and outlay of capital by the means of labour, more particularly when valuable property is placed in the care of labour, the capital must help the directly. I do not mean, neither do I suppose That the Provident Relief Fund be augmented labour or suffer indirectly, though frequently for one instant, that capital must share alike by all profits accruing from the interest on with labour on the equality principle, but that monjes held by an endowment. Assurance

experience has proved, must, for the better a preventative against indigence in old age, the in its own interest it should pay some attention Society which is to be forned for the issuing of to labour's demands. Capital and labour, as endowment policies to sea faring men, merely es satisfaction and surer benefits to be derived policy to be fully paid up at any age specified by each, run on all fours together, because by the insured. In the event of death, prior to everywhere in the ordinary course of business expiration of terms, from ordinary causes or from between employers and employed, any other shipwreck, policy to be paid up proportionately system has proved a failure-terly useless as to sum assured and length of holding. and form being fought against.We hear of We hear, everyday of tyranny in every shape, landlords and tenants and their differences we hear of lairds and crofters and their differ enges we hear of tyranny and toppression and of the voices of thousands crying out for help

gained sufficient strength, when we being thor- This to contipus until the Brotherhood has oughly united by the sworn ties and bonds of brotherhood will gather.our strength, raise our voice, ask quietly for Justice, and our rights, for our parliamentary representatives, for the repeal