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TRADE UNIONISM
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
generally applied. More than once, when a strike has been threatened, the employers have succeeded in averting a-catastrophe by a fair and square discussion of the subject of dispute with the men; and such being the case, it is clear that the best interests of all concerned will be served by, if possible, placing Trade Unions upon such a footing that this mode of settlement of disputed points can be resorted to generally. While the right of workmen to combine for their own protection cannot but in fairness be recognised there has in many quarters been some feeling of opposition to the Trade Union system from a consciousness that, in many cases of strikes the employers are taken at an unfair disadvantage, and in fact A are more or less driven into a corner. strike is often inaugurated at a time when the employers have made themselves responsible for some specially large work and when consequently it is considered they will not be able to resist a demand for extra pay, if it be pressed upon them accompanied by a threat of deserting the work that must❘ at any price be done. Such a course, though certainly not the best way to further the real interests of the workmen, is one that it is natural for them to resort to, and no objection could be taken to it, but for one consideration-and that is that as the men are not engaged in combination, they have not the right upon abstract grounds of justice to leave en bloc; and their combining to do so therefore runs very closely upon an illegal combination to bring pressure to bear upon their employers. The matter, however, will stand upon a different footing if it be understood, at the time they are engaged, that a union of this kind exists amongst them, and that their acting jointly at a given moment is a contingency that the employer knew of and accepted when he engaged them individually. This end will be thoroughly secured by its being accepted by both parties that the engagement of workmen on any given enterprise will be in accordance with conditions known both to employer and employed and embodied in the rules of an Association to which both belong.
(Daily Press, August 22nd.) It would seem that at last some slight prospect of placing Trade Unions upon a reasonable footing has arisen, and that toos in a quarter where it might upon general considerations have been least expected, namely in France, where the working classe, are generally considered to be more excitable and less compromising than those in any other part of the world. It would appear however, that during the last great strike, that namely of the masons, an amount of good sense was imported into the matter, which not only bad the effect of averting an immediate difficulty; but which opened up a way to avoiding much trouble in the future. It has at last been recognised by the workmen that the attitude of Trade Unions need not be one of standing opposi- tion to their employers, but that such associations may, if properly organised and satisfactorily worked, be made use of to the advantage both of employer and employed. On the other hand, employers have recognised that it would be to their advantage frankly to accept the trade unions, and to join with them rather than to endeavour to oppose their operation by counter-combination among themselves. A scheme has thus been set on foot for the formation of a joint union of employers and employed-the former being paying members and the latter to consist some of paying and some of non- paying members, while all workmen who are simple "associates" will be free from pay- ment. It will be sufficient for the last named to join the Union,-from which, however, they will be at liberty to with draw when they please-in order to participate in its advantages, in the form of insurance against illness or accident, provision for widows and orphans, and also in the form of pensions. The association will also provide that fellow workmen whether belonging to it or not, will receive a minimum wage for their work. On the other hand the employers agree to give all work in their hands to the members of the Association and to have recourse to out- siders only when the number of the former is insufficient for the work. The workmen TRADE DEPRESSION IN CHINA. on their part agree not to work (during the currency of their contracts) with employers who do not belong to the Union. At the same time, when the minimun of hours guaranteed by the Union have been given the workmen will be at liberty to obtain employment from outside employers if the Union has no further work to offer them. This arrangement is to be made for three years but can be renewed; and it has the advantage of protecting the workman against wages which are too low, while still leaving him free to join or not join the Union as he may wish. Thus the proposed Masonic Union, which gives the above particulars, will, if it be established bave all the advantage without the well known drawbacks, of the old Trade Unions. The workmen and the employer will mutually engage not to have recourse to "locks out on the one hand or strikes on the other, without first attempting conciliation either direct or by arbitration, and workmen will be free to avail themselves of the associa- tion either in part or in whole, as they see fit.
This well considered scheme seems likely to be accepted by the masons with probably some slight modifications, and it may be hoped that a similar course may be adopted in other directions. A like solution of the constantly recurring difficulty as to strikes has indeed before been adopted by individual firms with success and could, no doubt, be
(Daily Press, August 24th.)
No subject can be of more gederal interest to readers in the Far East than the prospects of trade. For the past three years trade has been depressed in the Far East to an extent almost unparalleled in the recollec tion of the oldest firms. Anything therefore that the Chairman of such an institution as the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Cor- poration may have to say on the subject of trade depression commands special attention by reason of the exceptional advantiges which the leading Banking institution has of feeling the pulse of trade and forming an opinion as to the condition of the patient. It is encouraging, therefore, to note that, though hope deferred so long has tended to make many hearts sick, Mr. SHELLIM, OG Saturday, felt justified in taking a hopeful view of the future. The Chairman of the Bank based his hope ou the fact that the present cheapness of money and the dimin ishing stocks are factors which must sooner or later bring about a commercial revival, though he was constrained to admit that there are no clear indications yet of the long deferred rising in the trade barometer. When it does come it will be interesting to consider whether the revival is such as bears the stamp of permanence. Meanwhile many theories are advanced for the dullness of trade which has been so protracted, but the majority of them are in the nature of
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[August 31, 1908. temporary factors only, and wà may not unprofitably inquire whether there are not reasons for this depression of a permanent character than the dislocation of trade by flood and famine and the accumu- lation of stocks.
more
In the first place we have to take note of the fact that the balance of trade has been against China for many years past. In 1901 the imports exceeded the exports by 27 per cent; in 1902 by 28 per cent; in 1903 by 81 per cent; in 1904 the excess increased to 43 per cent, in 1905 to no less than 97 per cent. and in 1906 it dropped to 74 per cent. The greatly increased import trade in 1904 and 1905 was largely financed by remittances to maintain the Russian and Japanese armies in the field, and in 1906 it must be set down to evacuation coste. We may, there- fore, regard the normal position of trade as being about 30 per cent. against China. We have to add to this drain the indemnity payments to the Foreign Powers, demanded as reparation for the Boxer rising, as well as the interest on China's foreign loans. Up to 1895 the Empire had practically no foreign debt, but as a result of the war with Japan a foreign debt of over With exchange £50,000,000 was incurred. against her, China's foreign obligations entail an annual charge of something like This, it will at forty-dve million taels.
be realised, seriously affects the once purchasing capacity of China, and we must look for the remedy to increased exports. The Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation mentioned the satis- fact that, in spite of the factory
crisis of last season, the total severe of the combined exports of China and that the trade is оце Japau showa which is still on the increase. There is no need to emphasise the fact that the resources of China are immense and only need development. China has in the past neglected her opportunities. The tea ex- port trade has been practically ruined by indifference and lack of enterprise. many evidences are now to be observed that the Chinese from one end of the Empire to the other are beginning to appreciate the necessity for developing the resources of the
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country and in this lies one of the best hopes of the future of foreign trade. The increased facilities for trade which the rail- ways in course of construction will afford as they are completed must lead to trade development, and nothing will serve so much to influence currency reform in China the rapid communication; between various parts of the Empire. China bas shown how indifferent she is to the re- presentations of the Foreign Powers on when the evils of the the subject, but
are emphasised by rapid existing chaos communications we may look to the develop- ment of a public opinion among the Chinese themselves which will force the central What government to action in the matter. is wanted, in short, to ensure a permanent revival of foreign trade is an improved financial administration, a uniform currency, and more enterprise on the part of the Chinese in the development of the country's resources by improved methods.
In view of the remarkable increase in recent years in the number of persons climbing the famous Mount Faji in Japan a telephone service is now being established between the top and the foot of the mountain. Also, in view of the famous mountain during the coming the large influx of foreigners expected to visit exhibition, it is proposed to build resting places and refreshments stands on the top and to establish telegraphic, and telephonic stations and other facilities; and to faraish electricity to illuminate the mountain top at night,
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