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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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(August 27, 1904.
HONGKONG JOTTINGS.
(22nd August.)
or otherwise. The first important table has | ore, which is the best known, is almost proper technical instruction, there must be to do with the average annual production worked out. What there is of it is rendered fewer strikes and fewer play shifts." Our of pig iron in various countries, and we may almost prohibitive by the royalties to be manufacturers must emulate the enterprise not deny that such rigures are evidence of paid, and the enormous freight charged of their competitors in installing modern, the relative prosperity of the industry in over the short distances it must travel, up-to-date tools, instead of "making do the several countries dealt with. We must, Spanish ore, upon which we chiefly depend, the old machineries they began with, and however, repudiate the suggestion that they has to be carried to the ship, shipped; that ought, as a rule, to find their way back are, by themselves, satisfactory tests unshipped, ad again loaded to the smelting to the blast by way of the scrap heap. So, thereof. Taking the three principal coun- works. American ore, once in the waggon, and so only, will they be enabled to disturb tries, we learn that in 1903 Great Britain is carried a much longer distance at a cheaper the security in their home markets of the produced 8,810 thousand tons of pig. Ger-rate, and discharged at the furnace deor. "dumping" competitors, for the first ob- many 9,860 thousand, and the United States The "evidence" of " some witnesses (wevious reply to “ dumpers" is to be able to eighteen million tons. The relative figures are left to sift them out for ourselves; no dump" back. As it is, our own firms in 1876-80 were 6,660,000, 2,140,000, and citations being made in section V) took the have too often been afraid to accept orders, 2,200,000. Comparisons of respective in- shape of mere opinion, thus: Supposing knowing that (apart altogether from ques- creases, percentages, &c., are worked out a preferential system established, the tions of national policy) they were indeed exhaustively in the next four or five pages, United Kingdom would have an advantage at various disadvantages with competitors. and the changes are rung by means of over other countries." Surely not over the To sum up our position, we may fake an- diagrams more or less graphic. Thus is most serious competitor, America, who is, other analogy, this time from holy writ. established the fact that at the end of the after all, her own best market, so that, in Mr. CHAMBERLAIN's proposals may consti- seventies, the United Kingdom was produc- times of over-production, it is understand-tute "the larger question," like CHRIST'S ing forty-five per cent. of the world's output; able that Pittsburg could ease itself of final advice to the rich young man who and "
the production of pig iron bas just surplus by "dumping." All the witnesses wanted to be saved. We do not dispute kept pace with the increase of population," attached great importance to technical it. But first, all those other things have to while in Germany and the United States it education as a factor. The report, in view be attended to, for, unlike the rich young has been continuous and much more rapid of Germany's superiority to us in this man, we cannot as a nation say that all than the increase of population. From respect, dares not ignore it, but says these things have we observed. It is those being the biggest producer, we bare des- "it cannot be maintained that education factors which stand on a par with the wash- cended to third place. This looks very bad aloue, divorced from the larger question of ing tlice in Jordan recommended on an- and there is small consolation to be derived policy, would have sufficed to maintain the other occasion by ELIJAH. Mr. CHAMBER- by contradicting another conclusion, that lead of Great Britain." There's the rub. LAIN, like NAAMAN the leper, would rather the pig iron industry of the United King- The whole tenour of this report is to make begin with a more imposing remedy; and dom is almost stationary." It is not, of tariff alteration the "larger question "; and, like him, his disciples seem inclined to course. The table shows, if calculated in a with insufficient proof, to establish it as the argue that Jordan cannot pretend to rank less pessimistic spirit, that in a quarter of a first, imperative remedy. Local rates have in importance with the Damascus rivers century our production of pig iron has been gone up, but the increase is inadequate, it Alana and Pharpar-for which, read pre- increased about thirty-four per cent. The says, to account for the shocking state of ferential tariffs and retaliation. fact that it was a trifle greater four years affairs. Labour costs, higher wages and ago is capable f an explanation other than shorter hours, are another serious factor, but Mr. CHAMBERLAIN would be inclined to we are told, the difference of labour cost is offer. The increase has been continuous not a new factor" and does not account since the falling-off in 1901. Granting, for (again the sweeping language!) "the The factor however, all these statistics, which are even i demoralisation of the market." more depressing in the case of steel, we we have mentioned is noticed, and our con- bave yet to consider how far they justify tention admitted, that "freight charges the general conclusions based upon them. both by land and water are more burdensome" Our tone of dissatisfaction with this report and injurious than in the case of our com- must not be interpreted as hostility to the petitors; but, again, "it is not transport CHAMBERLAIN policy. The nature of the charges alone" which constitute the danger. argument we are about to advance precludes Of course it isn't, any more than tariff re- us from denouncing the belief that inspired form is the only remedy for the ills we have. the inquiry. What we do say is that these Analogies never prove anything, but a disciples of the ex-Colonial Secretary must good analogy will help us to understand have weakened bis case in the eyes of im- proofs. Imagine a tradesman, paying a partial thinkers, by bilking certain aspects higher rent for his shop than his competi- and falsely emphasising others. After show- tor does, paying bigger wages for poorer ng in the figures quoted that in one detail service, paying dearer for his goods; but by at least a British industry has progressed his careful attention to business and the (although not to their satisfaction), they excellence of his stock managing to keep out proceed in a caption to speak of its "relative of the bankruptcy court, and you have an decline." That might have passed, but in image of British trade. Along comes at the comments under the caption, they friend with a mania for giving advice. He abruptly drop the word relative," and says to the tradesman : How is it your speak of "the decline of the British Iron balance of profit is not larger? High rent? and Steel Industry." That is not a proper That alone can't account for your position. way to present evidence; it would not have High wages? Pooh! You could get over been adopted, we fancy, in the report of a that item all right. It can't he that alone, Royal Commission. Throughout we find the Cost price and carriage too high? Yes, argumentum ad ignorantiam methods of the that is serious, but that alone can't be keep ex-parte Counsel addressing the jury, rathering you back. What you want is a different than those of judges reviewing the evidence; policy. Charge your tailor, and your but- and we cannot think that such methods will cher, and your baker a commission or dis- inspire confidence in the numerous electors count on all you buy from them, and ther; who have awaited this report with open things will improve," There, it appears to minds. It is admitted, for instance, that us, is a faithful echo of the tone of this the supply of raw material is a factor; but report of the Tariff Commissiou. Foreign the admission is immediately belittled by countries are securing a growing proportion the assertion that "in respect of distance of our colonial trade? Preferential tariffs (over which ore must be conveyed) the would undoubtedly scotch the trouble, but United Kingdom is under no disadvantage would never make an end of it, so long as as compared with her most serious com- those other and older factors are permitted petitors." Geographically speaking, the to be looked upon as less important ques. American furnaces may be as far removed tions. There is "want of skill and enter- from the sources of ore and coke supply as prise on the part of our British workinen, are our own; but is that all to be said on so long as they are allowed to follow the the subject? How do the English freight old rules of thumb that answered for limited charges compare with American? English 6utputs. They must be given facilities for
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The report and accounts of the Hongkong Gas Company for that year of dismal darkness, 1903, are truly illuminating. The accounts show a profit-balance of £13.761, which is about 500 larger than the profit balance of the previous year. The balance brought forward from the last account was £7,387, which was more than sufficient to pay 10 per cent. dividend. The Directors thus had a total profit of €21,184 to deal with: After declaring a 10 per cent. dividend and a bonus of 1 per cent.. and adding £3,000 to reserve fund to meet fluctuations in
I
exchange, and £1.000 to the general reserve fund (which now stands at £23,109), a balance of £7.625 is carried forward to next account.
The gas consumer, remembering his experi ences of last year, his wrestlings with the
the gas representatives of
company, and how often he was compelled to hie himself to bed because he had not sufficient gas light to read by or otherwise occupy his leisure, will read these figures with wonderment. He will remember his undiminished pills, his indignant protests and the non-possumus reply that "the charge was strictly in accordance with the consumption registered by the meter." He will recollect the suggestion that the meters must have registered air passing through the pipes; and then, thankful that a definite period has been set to the past in this respect, he will ask whether it is not about time that the Company reduced the present exorbitant price
of gas.
The business," the report says, “* con- tinues to be of a progressive character." and so evidently are the profits. It is not then too much to ask that the charge to the consumer shall be fixed at something less than $3.50 per thousand feet. Think for contrast, of eleven- pence per thousand as rate that pays at Home
What for you write every Eulopean man Esquire?" asked a Chinese recently of his teacher who was instructing him how to address letters to customers. The teacher was possessed of a pretty wit. Esquire." he replied, “is a title of lignity, ranking below that of knight, and belongs by right to the eldest sons of knights and to the younger sons of peers and to their eldest sons in perpetual succession. The title carries no emoluments from the State, hence these poor gentlemen of title have come to seek
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