1922-02-06 — Page 12

12

HOW WORKERS FARE IN OTHER LANDS.

Wages and Cost of Living In Belgium.

[Belgium's remarkable recovery from the devastation of the War is emphasised by facts and figures In the following article. Though an eight-hour day is in operation by legal enactment, exemptions can be secured in certain indus- tries. Regarding

the wages general principle adopted is that they should be regulated, as far circumstances parmit, in accordance with the cost of living figures, with a tendency to keep those of the lower paid workers at as high a level as possible. On the whole the Belgian worker enjoys a slightly higher standard

of living than he did before the War.}

After protracted discussions,

the Belgian Parliament has

adopted an eight hours Bill,

which came into force on October 1 lset. It applies to all indus- tries and will he extended to commercial employees within a year. Agricu'turs? labour is not! included. Certain exemptions are foreseen with regard to sea-i sonal industries, such as sugar factories, upkeep of furpaces; excess of orders, complementary work, rapid repairs required be accidents, or necessary work to avoid the loss of perishable goods. In a of force majeure "em- players are allowed to avail them- selves of these exemptions.

Under all other circumstances a royal decree must be obtained. after the matter has been referred to the "Copacil of Industrial Wort, including en ployers and workmen and other exper: coun- cillors. Their decision must bej made known within two months.

QUANTITY AND QUALITY.

M. Wanters, the Labour Minis-

THE HONGKONG . TELEGRAPH.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6. 1922,

HOTELS.

SUGGESTIVE OF RUSSIA.

钠

By Marian Hale.

The caracal wrap which is part of this costume is an intriguing thing, smartly enough cut to suggest an almost miliary line yet distinctly feminine.

It may be worn with the front panel held under the girdlə of the dress or hanging loose and is equally effective either way.

for skilled men.

ter, who made himself responsible most of them are only employed for unskilled men and 20 per cent. for the Bill, repeatedly warned 03 part-time. his Labour audiences that the

INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION.

"SLTMP" IN TEXTILES.

DECLINE IN WAGES.

This has been especially

HONGKONG HOTEL

PEAK HOTEL

REPULSE BAY HOTEL

Hongkong Hotel Co., Ltd.

KING EDWARD HOTEL.

CENTRAL LOCATION,

ELECTRIC LIFTS AND LIGHTING, TELEPHONE ON EACH FLOOR,

HOPE

I. 373.

LAUNCH HEETS ALL STEAMERS.

Telegraphio Address: “VioZPONIA, "

J. WICHELL,

Manager.

EUROPE HOTEL, SINGAPORE.

UNDER NEW BRITISH MANAGEMENT,

THE PREMIER HOTEL. FINEST SITUATION.

EXCELLENT CUISINE.

ARTHUR E. ODELL,

(Late Grand Hotel, Southalle, England and, Royal Palace Hotel, London, W.)

KINGSCLERB HOTEL

MID-LEVEL

KNUTSFORD HOTEL KOWLOON

SACHSE, LENNOX & Co., General Agents

Are resident Managers,

EXCHANGE.

(Opening Rate: closing Role on Page 11. SELLING.

1/3 ... T Shanghai. T Singapore........ T/T Japan........... IT India.......... Demand, India T/T SAD Fraccisco) & New York/ of three the workman can travel T/T JAVA....... to and fro for a week a distance T/T Maris of 10 miles. He may rent his T/T FIENCE

day's work. This affords him better housing conditons and allows him to bring up his family in healthy surroundings.

2/64 2/68

2/7 Nom. 110

ناة 11

194

51

148 Nom.

6.50

BUYING.

21734

2/344

2/814

Helbourne

ee&New York

7.10

7.30

Though, on the whole, wages country could only reap the With regard to textiles, the have been adapted to the increase advantages of the reduction of third great industry of the coun in the cost of living and are grad. hours if the quantity and quality try (121.600 workers in 1913 and ally reduced according to the of the output per hour were 91,000 in 1921), the output is decline of the index oumber, the! promptly increased by greater difficult to ascertain, the total Belgian workers have the benefit application and improved train-output being estimated by spind- of a slight margin. On the other og King Albert writing to his les with regard to cotton and hand, the standard of living has Minister on June 14th. reminded linen, and by weight with regard been considerably altered by the the country that it was dependent to wool. The outpot of cottonwar for its life on its exports: It is was, in 1913, equivalent to the conspicuous in housing, many I oo: a question," he wrote, "of a production of 1,432,000 spindles People being reluctant to go back Demand........ competition between employers working 54 hours a week (the to pre-war conditions with regard 10 dfu and employees. A country like production of each spindle per to overcrowding. This difficulty 30 dis Belgium can only export and week being calentated at 825 is, to a great extent, overcome by pierce the customs frontiers. grammes of cotton). At present the general practice of Belgian workers taking advantage of which are built on every side 700.000 spindles only are in use. around it, if the cost of its pro- A similar decrease is noticeable cheap railway rates to live oat Juction is more and more reduced with regard to linen, the numberside the towns they work in, the and the value of its produce more of spindles having dropped from country within a radius of ten and more increased.”

375,111 in 1913 to 270,000 in the miles becoming the dormitory of last few months. These figures, the labourers. For the small sam however, were taken after the In Belgium, more persons are slump. and it should be pointed engaged on agriculture than in out that the number of spindles in industry, though, owing to the operation had previously nearly D cottage and cultivate bis Demand, Paris...... density of its population, the reached pre-war Egures. country is dependent for its liveli

1/8, 1/C As far as mines are concerned, hood on its exports. The individual

+ m/s DP production is difficult to estimate the standard of wages was fixed

5 m/s. L/C THE UNEMPLOYED. because, out of every 100 people by a mixed national commission

Generally speaking, the im-30 da. Sydney and 2/914 -sugaged on agriculture, 16 only in July, 1920. According to this

weeks must portance of agricultural labour Are wage-earners, most of the convention, six

and the constant contact between 30d/s.San Francis-} $714 work being done by small holders elapse before a modification in and their families. The following the index number affects wages. town and country is a dominating

4 m/s. Marks......... Nos. figures will give an idea of the in- In 1913 these wages varied from factor in the labour conditions

I mix, Francs tensity of production and of the 0.30 per hour for labourers to 0.50 of Belgium. Though only a small wonderful way the country has francs for skilled men. In 1920, cumber go back to agricultures. Franca.

cost of recovered from the agricultural the

living having after having been accustomed to Demand, Germany, point of view since the Armistice. increased 377 per cent. (the index the bigher wages of the town, the Demand, New York 543% In 1913, 18,000,000 quintals of number being then 477), the densely populated countryside IIT Bombay. Nom cereals were produced, in 1920 wages were from 1.75 francs to constitutes & reserve of health Demand, Bombay... 194 nearly 14,000,000. Industrial 2.40 francs per bour. Sicce then and energy from which the in- NT Calcutta... Nom.

... 194 orors (sugar beet, fex, and so several reductions of 5 per cent. dustry of the country may draw Demand, Calcutta

On Yokoham......... 11514 forth) totalled 16,000,000 quintals, have occurred in accordance with its workers.

113 At the time of the Armistice Demand, Manila in 1913, and rose, in 1920, to 18, the decline of the index number, 000,000, a considerably larger the latter being 434 in February, there were nearly 1,000,000 men Demand, Singapore. 110 acreage being devoted to this 1921, the average daily wage was out of work in Belgium, while Demand. Batavia kind of culture owing to the brought down from 25.64 francs 3,500,000 people were more or less Haiphong difically of importing raw to 24 36 francs. Similar decline independent on relief. Six months On Salgon material from abroad. On the the index number to 411 in after, the unemployed only nam-On Bangkok........."82 other band root crops show a March and 389 in May brought bered 200,000 and by September, Sovereign slight decrease, from 79,000,000 about corresponding redactions in 1920, the number of out-of-works Fold leaf per Teal...

344 quintals, in 1913, to 64,000,000 in wages, 23.14 francs being the belonging to anemployment in- 3er Silver, ready... 344.

fors ard 1920. Before the War Belgiom Average in April and 21.98 francssurance societies had been re- had reached the first rank in in June. A further reduction of duced to 6.864. Immediately after Bank of England rates 5%

tbis date the world trade depres- New York/London ... 4.3236 Europe for the yield per acre, and 15 per cent. occurred in August. It is to be hoped that this position The wages in the metal iosion began to affect Belgium, and will be soon recovered owing to dustry experienced similar reduce the amount of agricultural labour tions, though there is a general available.

tendency not to diminish the BOME STRIKING FIGURES. wages of the lowerpaid workmen With regard to industrial out-Thus in the nail-making and put, each industry must be con-wire-drawing factories of the sidered separately. In 1913, there Charleroi district wages of 2.50

It was stated recently in the: were 139,000 miners, and the total france per hour have not been coal production was 1,869,000 tons reduced, while those of 4 and 5 Federal House of Representatives per month giving an average, of francs have been reduced 6 and 7 that the Australian dairymen hav 13.5 tons per head per month. per cent. A new reduction of 10 been having the time of their lives. There are now 159,000 miners per cent was contemplated in The final dividend on the result

Dairy EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRAL- producing 1,670,000 per June, but was opposed by the of the Commonwealth

tons

A compromise was Pools for 1918-19, 1919-1920 ASTA & CHISA TELEGRAPH CO. tnorth of 23 working days, so that workmen. the present production per head made allowing slightly better would seem to confirm

wages and conditions generally. pawky reference to the prosperity per month averages 10.5.

of the Australian dairy farmer, The metal industry is nearly as

The average wages for the tex-whose fields again are green Cal. important, 137,000 persons being employed in 1913 and 135,000 to-tile industry showed sa increase under a generous winter with day. The decrease in production of 420 per cent, on pre-war days alternating sunshine and abu is far more considerable, from in 1920. In the cotton industry dant rains. The total amount to be 599,000 tons (4.3. per head) per this increase was only 300, the distributed is £146,300, of which mouth, to 268,000 tons (2.0 per bighest skilled workman receiving £53,315 goes to Victoria, £55,625 head), but it must be remem-127 francs per week, as compared to New Bouth Wales, £26,864 to bered that a great many workers with 44 franes in 1914. Since Queensland, £7,912 to South are stilengaged on repairs, land then several decreases have taken Australia; and, £2,684 to the that, owing to the present slump, place, reducing wages 13 per cent. island State of Tasmania.

HIGHER LIVING STANDARD.

the number of registered onem- ployed rose rapidly till it reached 210,681 in March, 1921. It is now again reduced to 130,000.

MONEY IN BUTTER.

that

•

NOTICE.

MITSUBISHI SHOJ

KAISHA, LTD. -

(MITSUBISR) TRADING SR. ETOJ QQAL, GENERAL IMPORTS AND

MINES

*PORTS. SOLE PROPRIETORS OF COAL

OCKE KDGAYAMA TOSHIMOTANG HOJO, NAMAZUTA SATC, SMINKEN, KANADA, KAMNYAMADA, KOIRAT 208 OTURARI

Agents for SAKTIO COAL

HEAD OFFICE, TOKYO.

BRANCHES AND REPRESENTA - TİVES :— NAGARANI, KARAISU, WAKAMATSU, MOJI, KURY, LOBE, ORAKA, TSURUGA, MAGOTA, TOKOHAMA, TOKYO, HAKODATE, MURORAN, OTABU, VLADIVOS, TOUK, FEKING, TIENTHIN, DAIRES, TSINGTAO, HANKOW, SHANGHAI, HONGKONG, SINGAPORE, BOIRA- HAYA, SYDNEY, LONDON, BERLIN, LYONS, PARIS, HEW TUKK- SEATTLE

Cable Address :——"I WASAKISAL,"

Codes:Al, A.B.C. 5TH ED., Western Union and Bentley.

C

AGENCIES FOR,THE MITSUBISH MARINE AND FIRE. INSURANOI

148

Co.

Nom.

Nom.7.60

1.9

THE OSAKA MARINE & FIRE INSURANCE CO.

For Particulars Apply to

S. OKUBO, Manager. No. 14. Pedder Street Hongkong.

ENTERTAINMENTS

ΤΗΝ

CORONET

at all Shows

THE

SILVER

HORDE."

KOWLOON

it

SEVEN REELS.

"

THEATRE

To-day at 9.15! "THE

SECRET

GARDEN."

Mack Sennett Comedy.

HONGKONG THEATRE

JOHN

BARRYMORE

in

Here Comes The

Bride

CHARLIE

CHAPLIN

ia

The Hotel Mix Up

And Various Comedies.

WORLD THEATRE

| Phone, 1337

| PHONE. 1337

Hongkong's Mars Modern Pictus Palace. Katirely Wader British Management.

“

TO-DAY 5-15 and 9.15 p.m. performances.

A DOLL'S HOUSE"

HENRICK IBSEN'S GREATEST STORY and STAGE SUCCESS ►

TRANSLATED INTO IMPELLING PHOTOPLAY,

Featuring

* ELSIE FERGUSON

The Blory of a Greas Love Left to Die Through Neglect.

2.30 and 7.15 p.m. performances

GEORGE B. BEITZ VELVET FINGERS" Episodes, i wad 5.

SUNDAY, MATINEE 6 p.m. sharp. WILLIAM FAVERSHAM

fa

"THE SILVER KING"

Booking at the Theatre,

WEATHER REPORT.

METEOROLOGICAL

Previous

Day

on date.

at à p.m. at 11.

an date.

AS

Feb. 6d. 11b. 57m.-Pressure has increased slightly to mode-| rately over Japan and decreased slightly to moderately at other reporting stations..

Barometer......30.17 30.13 30.0 The anticyclone is now central Temperature over the Sea of Japan.

Humility..... Moderate monsoon and fog may-

Wind Fords "..

61 59 69 79

LEX.E ES.

4 4

PEAK TRAMWAYS CO., LTD. be expected along the S. and S.E Wind Direction

—

SUBSIDIARY COINS.

7

10 $

H

H'kang 50 st. pieces 1/5% pm.

. DAT 1/2 pm. 16.1% die. Canton subi coins

Bangkong Feb, 6.-1922.

7.00

1.30

10 14*,

14.00p.m.

Middleton, from Losangeles Raphael Kremlin, from Haip- bong.

Retransmitted from Singapore Steamer Sheafdart, from London.

- M.E. F. AIRLY,

Superintendent Hongkong, Feb. 2, 1922.

TIME TABLE,

WEEK DAYS,

10 AUG

13 MAN

NIGHT: CARS,

15 ma

201

20 MIN

1.50 p.m. to 1.07 p.m. 8.20 * 10. 1.50 p.m. I 180°p.. STRET, SË DINGINE 14.40 J.,

SATURDAYS.

EXTRA GAK 10 mienighte

SUNDAYS.

10-25.00 8.20.

Treng 15 si DO

3.3 10 4.15 jum.

NIGHT CARS.

4 Work.Days. SPECIAL CARS.

DASHIA

Casts of China.

Hongkong Rainfall for the 24 Weather........ nours ending at 10 a.m. to-day, Rain.... 0.00 inch. Total since January Highest ist. 2.74 inches, against average of 1.83 inches.

&n

FORECAST FOR THE 24 HOURS ENDING AT KOON TO-HORROW,

'District

Forecast..

E. winds, 1 Hongkong to Gap & modefato;

Tabck

fair at first; fog later.

1 The same

t Forzioss Channel} as No. L

0.00 0.00 0. open sir Temperature on the Lowest open air

Temperature 'on the

5th

6th.

-T. P. CLAXTON, Director. H. K. Observatory, Feb. 6.

3 Bouth coast" of]

China between > H.K & Lamooks:).

1. Bouth coast of]

Chida between, HK & Hainan TAY CLAXTON, LK. Observatory, 7pb

Prated, and Published for the- Ios House Street, in the Cily of

The sam

* No.1

The sam