Page
61
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
July 24, 1895.] building, therefore, in Hongkong, is at pre- If washing on the hillsides is to be continued sent principally confined to the production it is important that the washing tanks recom- of steam-launches and small steamers either mended should be provided and measures for the Philippines coasting or purely local taken for the conservancy of the streams, and trade. Mr. JACK's paper will, we trust, still more important is it that the shops in the serve to draw attention to the fact that city where the clothes are ironed and got up large steamers can be efficiently and cheaply should be brought under proper regulation. constructed in this port, and as a conse-According to Dr. WESSTOTT the average quence better employment be afforded to the number of workmen employed in these docks and shipbuilding vards of the colony in establishments is eight to four tropers, two the future. If the West River and other in- coolies, and two washermen, who all sleep land waters of South China should be opened on the premises, the master in a compart shortly to foreign trade and navigation- ment, the rest on the ironing tables. When as we all hope they will be there seems he says the average number of pieces no reason why good light draft steamboats dealt with during each month is 1,000 per suitable for the traffic should not be satisfac-establishment Dr. WESTCOTT must have made torily built here instead of losing time in send a clerical error or have been misinformed, for ing to England for them. The boats run by the at two cents per piece, the usual charge, Service Subventionné des Correspondances that would only give an Fluviales du Tonkin on the Red River, und $20 a month, which would be insufficient to income of which have proved eminently suitable for pay the running expenses of an establish- the work, were many of them built in this ment paying from $8 to $14.25 per mouth colony, and have formed the models for for rent and employing from eight to others constructed in Haiphong. Mr. JACK, twelve men. That, however, is a matter who is the superintendent of the Company's of detail that does not affect the necessity of works at that port, has designed and built the regulation of the establishments. Mr. several stern-wheelers for the upper reaches EDE is of opinion that if the laundries are of the Tonkin rivers, and they are now run-judiciously regulated and the washermen ning regularly and with great success. Ouly prohibited from sleeping on their ironing the other day a new boat to draw three feet tables and their customers' clothing, they of water with a full cargo was launched at will soon see the advantage of the cheap and Haiphong, for service on the upper arm of good buildings erected by the Government at the Red River. When light she draws barely Wanchai. That would be a highly satisfactory two feet, and steams ten knots an hour. The result, but the first thing to be done is to same class of boat could be turned out here, introduce the necessary regulations for the possibly at even lower cost, for navigating control of the laundries in the city, and it is the upper reaches of the West and North to be hoped there may be no unnecessary Rivers. But we must get these waterways delay in the matter. opened to traffic first. What, we wonder, is the British Foreign Office doing in the
matter!
PUBLIC LAUNDRIES,
"
HOW TO ENCOURAGE MANUFAC-
TURES IN HONGKONG.
5.
the part of the local firms? We think not. Shanghai appear to have abandoned the idea The same firms about to erect mills at
of doing so here. A project for starting one in Hongkong was nearly being launched last year, and would, it was said, bave been floated but for the occurrence of the dis- astrous plague epidemic. Now the pro- moters appear to have given up all intention of erecting mills here. There is, it seems, too much red tape, too little desire on the part of the Government to offer facilities. If any industry is projected the initial- difficulty upset price is asked after much fuss, is always the site, A big and a heavy Crown rent imposed. Excellency the GOVERNOR has expressed His
himself as most anxious to promote the in- dustrial expansion of the colony, and we do lieving that His Excellency is sincerely not for a moment doubt his sincerity. Be- desirous to see the colony secure a new lease of prosperity, we would suggest to him to insist upon liberal terms and ready facilities take this matter into his own hands, and being accorded to any companies or firms seeking sites for mills or manufactories. It must not be forgotten that every acre of land built upon and occupied means a certain increase to the revenue of the colony in the form of Crown rent and taxes, and it is folly and worse than folly to endeavour to exact a high premium on or excessive rent for the land. To do so at the present juncture will be to commit a serious economic blunder.
EMIGRATION FROM JAPAN.
The Board resolved that the Colonial Secretary's attention should
The Japanese Consul at Hongkong has be called to the report sent in two years ago doue well in drawing the attention of his and that he should be asked what steps have Government and his fellow-countrymen to been taken to carry out the recommendations the dangers to which emigrants from Japan of the Board as to washhouses. The auswer expose themselves when they go to countries must be that no steps have been taken as
of which they are entirely ignorant and It is satisfactory to find that the question yet, but the question will be a reminder that where the conditions are not favourable. It of the public laundries is once more engag. something should be dons. If the Govern-does not follow that emigration from Japan ing the attention of the Sanitary Board, ment decides to adopt the recommendations must always be a mistake. On the contrary, though it is less satisfactory to find the Acting it will then be possible for the Board to in the case of Hawaii it has proved a great Colonial Surgeon saying that not much more proceed to frame by-laws under sub-section success. In that country there is a large can be done than is being done because there 23 of section 13 of the Public Health Ordin- demand for labour, the native race is dying is too much other work at present. The nace, which authorises the Board to make out, and Chinese labourers are excluded by Acting Captain Superintendent of Police by-laws for the regulation of public baths, law. There was consequently good open- agrees with Dr. Lowson and says Every
laundries, and washhouses." We are stilling for Japanese, of which they have taken "thing cannot be done at once." These a long way off public baths, but there is no advantage with excellent results to them- expressions suggest that the Board is already reason why the colony should not have clean selves and
their employers, But the beginning to feel itself over-weighted, in its and wholesome laundries.
prospects are very different where an ac- state of reduced membership, by the amount
tive Asiatic competition has to be en- of work coming before it. To efficiently
countered. cope with the work a Board is required of
The Consul says that emi- grauts that now leave Japan for foreign sufficient strength to allow of a
a number of
shores, being used to a simple mode of life committees being formed, but not many com- mittees can be formed out of a Board consist- some unexpected change should come, seems countries, are mostly under the delusion that The low rate of exchange, which, unless keen competition prevailing in foreign at home and being quite ignorant of the ing of five members. It is to be hoped, how likely to continue indefinitely, must ere long if once they emigrate they can obtain high ever, that time may le found to attend bring about Я to this important question of the laundries. manufacturing
great development of wages without undergoing any particular Dr. WESTCOTT, the Acting Medical Officer The movement has not only commenced; it an instance of a party that arrived at Hong- industry in the Orient. hardships. Mr. NAKAGAWA goes on to give of Health, has drawn the attention of the is going on steadily in India, Japan, and kong en route to Borneo. The money pro- Board to it, and he deserves the thanks of latterly in Shanghai, where industries-and vided for their travelling expenses the public for doing so, The recommenda- more especially cotton mills-are springing fraudulently appropriated by their guide, a tions he makes are substantially the same as up rapidly. those made by a committee which considered hear of some fresh company starting. At any nationality. Several succeeded in get- Hardly a week passes but we misfortune that might befall emigrants of the subject two years ago, namely, the the present rate of progression, in a few ting to their destination, but-and this is erection of washing tanks in the streams years more the Model Settlement will be the essential part of the narrative—soon used by the washermen and the regulation transformed into an eastern Manchester, returned, finding themselves unable to carry of the shops used as laundries in the city. But why, we The committee, having set out their recom- industry to pass wholly by Hongkong story, it is to be feared, will often be re- would ask, is this great on the work expected of them. The same mendations in detail in their report, said: This "The system we recommend is merely the be a distributing centre for South China; with other Asiatic races, especially the colony is admirably situated to peated, if the Japanese attempt to compete system in vogue among all Chinese washer- it possesses a practically unlimited supply Chinese, in hard physical labour. meu, improved and placed on a proper of cheap labour, possesses good water, NAKAGAWA says that "Japanese emigrants sanitary basis." It appears to have been has excellent wharf and shipping facilities; "are generally destitute of patience, are of considered impracticable to compel the washer-' and, above all, there is men to use the Government laundries, and Dr. soil absolute freedom from mandatin obstruc-to endure the hardships common to
on its British
"mild disposition, and are not only unused WESTCOTT Seems to be of the same opinion, tion and squeezes. Yet there is not a sign but he and the committee are at one in re- of a single cotton mill being established" unable to offer opposition when cruelly sphere of keen competition, but are even commending that inducements for their here. Again, we ask, why is this the case ? occupation should be held out,
"treated by their employers."` As ordinary Is it due to the utter lack of enterprise on labourers, therefore, the Japanese are not
t
of
was
Mr:
B
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