[英文] 香港罷工持續　歐籍居民合力應對

HONGKONG STRIKE GRADUALLY GROWING.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WORKING SPLENDIDLY TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION.

WHAT WILL THE DRAGON FESTIVAL BRING?

BOY SCOUTS' LOYAL ASSISTANCE.

The Hongkong strike, which assumed a definite form on Sunday last, did not extend to any very appreciable extent yesterday. Chinese workers in various branches of industry are still joining the ranks of those who have already struck, but they are doing so for the present only in small numbers.

The Dragon Festival is celebrated to-morrow. Some may be waiting until then before deciding what course to pursue. If the Chinese workers at their posts after that Festival it may be taken for granted that the strike will never become general.

As matters stand to-day, the European community are working splendidly together, and dealing with the situation with a firmness and efficiency, and in a spirit of mutual help and endeavour, which are highly encouraging.

In view of the critical nature of the situation, H. E. the Governor has postponed his departure from the Colony. He made a reference to this matter and to the strike generally at yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council, and a report of his statement is included in to-day's issue of this paper.

THE FOOD QUESTION.

Mr. N. L. Smith, the Food Controller, in an interview given to a representative of the Daily Press yesterday, said that the emergency arrangements for the supply of food to Europeans were working satisfactorily.

With regard to Chinese, the pork butchers had gone on strike, but his information was that all the other stalls were carrying on normally.

There were big stocks of frozen meat in the Colony held by the Dairy Farm, and the European bread supply was being conducted efficiently, with ample quantities, by Messrs. Wiseman's.

There was, however, a shortage of vegetables, which were not coming in as they normally did. He was trying to make some arrangements for a supply from the New Territories, but could not say whether the position would be greatly relieved thereby.

The price of rice was going up. There was no reason whatever for this, as there were at least six months' stocks in the Colony and the export had been prohibited. He had just issued a notice to those concerned that if the price went on rising the Government would step in and take over control of rice sales, at a reasonable price.

The Food Controller added that he hoped to do something to relieve the situation as regards the pork butchers, though the committee of Chinese gentlemen who were assisting him had advised him that pork did not matter so long as the authorities could keep down the price of rice, salt fish, and salted vegetables.

PEAK RESIDENTS.

A meeting of Peak residents will be held at the Peak Club at 6 p.m. to-day, for the purpose of discussing the present situation, and making arrangements for the distribution of food supplies during the strike.

A hurriedly convened meeting of members was held at the Club on Monday night. Several members volunteered their aid in the distribution of food supplies to the Victoria and Matilda Hospitals. A strong recommendation was made that families residing on the Peak should join together and set up communal kitchens.

At this evening's meeting members are to be invited to make proposals which might lessen the discomforts of the strike. It is hoped that the members of the Ladies' Emergency Committee will be present and it is further hoped to utilise the Peak Club as the central depot for supplies. The Club will also be open to women and children and will serve as an Enquiry Bureau for the residents.

Mr. E. B. C. Hornell, the honorary secretary of the Association is due to leave for Home on the Malwa on Saturday. Mr. Hornell told a Dairy Press representative yesterday that he would not remain unless his services are very much needed. He said that there were other residents as capable as he was to see to the arrangements, and in the event of his going, Mr. W. C. Shiner would take charge.

THE LABOUR CONTROLLER.

Mr. G. M. Young, the Labour Controller, interviewed, said there was very little change in the situation since yesterday but the remarkable thing was the large numbers of Europeans who had registered themselves to do the voluntary work.

Enquiries at the City Hall, where the Labour Department has its present headquarters, elicited the information that over 2,000 Europeans have registered during the last two days.

Mr. Young is assisted by two British helpers and about six Boy Scouts. On Monday night work in the department ceased at 6 p.m., but last night the work was continued to a much later hour.

The registered persons include women as well as men and these are willing to do any necessary work.

FINANCIAL POSITION.

There have been considerable demands made upon a number of the Chinese banks during the past few days, but it is expected that the regulation made by the Governor-in-Council on Monday will relieve the tension. The foreign banks have not been affected.

The Government Regulation is as follows:-

The Banks named in the following schedule are prohibited from paying out to any depositor a sum larger than ten per centum of the amount standing to his credit with them, except under licence from the Colonial Secretary.

Should any such Bank be unwilling to comply with this regulation, it is hereby permitted to suspend business until the regulation is withdrawn:-

SCHEDULE.

The Bank of Canton, the Bank of China, the Bank of East Asia, Ltd., the Fu Tien Bank, the Ho Hong Bank, Ltd., the Industrial and Commercial Bank, Ltd., the National Commercial and Savings Bank, Ltd., the Oriental Commercial Bank, Ltd., the Yien Yich Commercial Bank, Ltd., and all native Chinese banks.

Several banks in Bonham Strand, as well as the Bank of Canton, the Bank of China, and the Ho Hong Bank, exhibited notices yesterday stating that they were temporarily closed "owing to the state of emergency."

TRANSPORT.

The transport department under the control of the Hon. Mr. C. McI. Messer is ready for any calls that may be made upon it. Up to the present, however, no lorry drivers or chauffeurs have gone out on strike. The conveyance of food supplies in bulk has been adequately arranged for and the European supply will be normal. The question of feeding Chinese is more difficult but a committee of Chinese gentlemen are assisting in this matter, and arranging for distribution.

BOY SCOUTS' GOOD WORK.

Scouts under the organization and supervision of the Rev. G. T. Waldegrave (Scout Commissioner) assisted by the various scout-masters, etc., are rendering valuable assistance in many ways, acting as messengers, and carrying out many useful duties in different centres.

THE MECHANICS.

The Chinese mechanics, it is understood, will not strike. They regard their presence as necessary to run essential services, such as light and water, which affect far more Chinese than people of other nationalities.

RECEPTION POSTPONED.

His Excellency the Governor having announced his determination to remain here until conditions have become normal again the "Farewell Reception" arranged in his honour for Thursday next in the City Hall is postponed until a later date of which due notice will be given to the general public.

IN THE SHIPPING WORLD.

The ships of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire are being ordered to Kowloon Bay immediately after discharging their cargo. Nine have so far been thus affected, but the company state that up to the present the China Steam Navigation Company have experienced no difficulty in dispatching all the steamers they desired.

Enquiry at the offices of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Company, showed that the position was much the same yesterday as before and that they are doing their best under difficult circumstances. One of the vessels under the control of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Company, the s.s. Cheong Shing was cleared yesterday for Tientsin manned by a northern crew, it is stated, who have no sympathy with the southern Chinese in the strike movement.

Enquiry at the Offices of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company with regard to the rumours current that a strike had taken place on the Empress of Asia, elicited the information that the office still hold to belief that the vessel will sail to-morrow for Vancouver. Some of the Chinese members of the crew have left the boat, but these absentees are being replaced.

The Dollar Steamship Line have diverted the President Cleveland to Manila, allowing her to call at Hongkong on her return trip.

With regard to the coasting steamer Apoey, which was reported yesterday morning to be affected, it was stated later in the day that a crew would be found.

Harbour Office reports yesterday morning showed very few clearances for British ships, those flying the British flag, but owned by Chinese, such as the s.s. Mathilde, not being involved. A number of other foreign vessels were cleared yesterday.

Up to late yesterday afternoon all the Docks were still working, such as Taikoo, Hongkong and Whampoa, etc., and such companies as the China Light and Power and the Hongkong Electric had not been affected. Armed guards have been posted at these places of essential service.

Although it is stated that the junk and lighter men, wharf and cargo coolies are likely to come out to-day, these sections were still at work yesterday afternoon. The cargo and wharf coolies stated yesterday that their intention is to remain at work as long as possible. They said that during the last strike they were told if they ceased work that they would be given food and money at Canton. On going there, however, they found the story was a myth, and their feeling now is one of "once bitten twice shy."

THE HOTELS.

At the Hongkong, Peak and Repulse Bay Hotels yesterday the position was practically the same as on Monday. The routine is being carried on as well as possible under the existing conditions and all meals are being served in the Grill Room. Help has been requisitioned from Shanghai to supplement the emergency staffs and a number of foreign assistants arrived yesterday morning. The Filipinos engaged did not remain long as they were required to take up the places of strikers on the s.s. President Adams, which left port on Monday. Until extra help arrives Portuguese boys are assisting in the carrying on of the hotel work, and a number of British school-boys are acting as messengers and pages.

At the King Edward Hotel all the Chinese boys have left and yesterday the establishment was being carried on by Portuguese and Filipino boys; while ladies were in charge of the culinary side. In the public bar, the business was ably conducted by a number of European and Eurasian boys. The management, however, hopes to secure some Annamite boys and have wired to Saigon with this object.

At the Astor House Hotel, only four of the Chinese staff have left, these being baggage coolies and a lift boy.

Some of the Chinese boys at the Carlton Hotel left yesterday.

THE HOSPITALS.

With regard to the Hospitals, the position is practically unchanged.

Enquiries made at the Government Civil Hospital and the French Convent Hospital at Causeway Bay, showed that the staffs at both institutions remain at work and there appears to be no sign of their leaving.

At the Victoria Hospital there was no change, and all the staff remain at their posts.

At the Peak Hospital six Chinese ward attendants are away, leaving the institution with the boys and two nursing Amahs and 22 patients. The places of the strikers at this hospital have been taken by Boy Scouts, who are rendering valuable service.

Strikers numbering fifty are absent from the Matilda Hospital and these include amahs, cook-boys, coolies and boiler-men. Volunteers, however, have come forward and the work is being carried on willingly, smoothly, and as well as possible. The hospital is full of patients and these are assisting the staff as far as it lies in their power. Two lady helpers have come in and help is also being rendered by a detachment of Boy Scours of whose services Dr. Sanders speaks very highly.

THE SCHOOLS.

The St. Stephen's College (Boys' and Girls'), also St. Paul's College (Boys') have fallen into line with the Government Schools affected by the strike, and the Diocesan Boys' School, and have joined with them in closing for the present. Students at those schools, who attended yesterday morning were informed by the headmasters of this decision.

The Belilios Girls' School was also affected yesterday, many of the Chinese girls not turning up. The remainder were told by the head mistress not to come back until further notice.

Hongkong University servants have gone on strike and the Hostel boarders are carrying on with the kitchen work as well as they can among themselves. The students have been absent since May 31st, and there are about 100 boarders at the Lugard Hall, St. John's Hall and Morrison Hall.

The English masters of Queen's College are serving as Volunteers in view of the strike at the College and the English mistresses are doing house-work.

THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

At a meeting of the American Consulate on Monday night, Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher (The Assistant Colonial Secretary) thanked the American community for their preferred help on behalf of the Government, and stated that it had been decided to employ them as civil guards. They were asked to register at the Labour Controller's Office in the City Hall.

AT KOWLOON.

The Kowloon Dairies have notified that customers can get their milk supplies at the Empress Store. Cash has to be paid and customers must provide their own bottles.

Kowloon generally is very quiet, although in several instances house-boys have left, otherwise the district carries on the same as usual.

SOLDIERS AS BUTCHERS.

At Kennedy Town soldiers from the East Surrey Regiment are working in the slaughter houses as butchers. Men with bakering and butchering experience are especially needed and a number have already been supplied to the Dairy Farm.

The s.s. Honam at Canton is being used as a store and stand-by ship. She is now manned by British, American, French and Portuguese sailors while the stores are in charge of the purser from the U. S. S. Ashville. A naval tug arrived from Hongkong at about 3 p.m. and transferred provisions to the Honam.

THE "SAI ON."

Several hundred Chinese awaited the arrival of the Sai On from Canton last night in order to board her for sailing to-day, but the vessel had not arrived at an early hour this morning.

GENERAL NOTES.

A special train for the transportation of workers from Hongkong is being operated on the Chinese section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway. The strikers are transferred on to this train on leaving the British carriages at Sumchun.

All strange Chinese visiting Peak houses are being intercepted by soldiers of the East Surrey Regiment, whom they have to satisfy as to their bona fides before they are allowed to proceed.

Enrolments in the Special Constabulary Force, which has again come into being commenced yesterday. Recruits are to be drawn from residents registered in the City Hall, the headquarters of the Labour Controller, and applicants are asked to apply for enrolment to the Labour Controller there first, and not to Police Headquarters.

Armed guards have been posted a various important centres, such as the Dairy Farm Stores and the Central and sub-Police stations.

Boys employed by the Royal Hongkong Golf Club at Fanling, Deep Water Bay and Happy Valley have all gone on strike.

SEDITIOUS LITERATURE.

A police court sequel to the arrest by district watchmen in the Western district of two men in possession of seditious literature, namely inflammatory circulars or pamphlets, was witnessed at the Central Magistracy yesterday, when Mr. R. A. D. Forrest sentenced the men to ten months' hard labour each.

Another man, who was a houseboy in the employ of Captain Cook, was given nine months, whilst a fourth man charged before Mr. S. B. B. McElderry received six months, and an order to pay a fine of $500 or to serve a further term of three months in default of payment. He admitted having in his possession a bundle of seditious pamphlets, and a number of meal ticket's issued by the Foreign service Guild to striking members who are going up to Canton.

The seven persons who were arrested during a police raid on No. 55, Hollywood Road on Monday in connection with the distribution of strike circulars or pamphlets, were also charged before Mr. Forrest yesterday with printing and issuing seditious pamphlets on the morning of June 22nd and were remanded in police custody for one week.

CANTON BOATS.

The ordinary Chinese night boat for Canton was dispatched yesterday at 2 p.m. and carried the mails. This practice of getting the boats away as soon as they have their full complement of passengers will probably be maintained whilst the present trouble continues. No definite hour can be fixed for their sailing, they will simply be dispatched when full, it being considered that no particular object is served in keeping them at the wharves in the circumstance.

資料：

1. 中華民國14年6月24日（星期三）《孖剌西報》第3頁

   • 乙丑年五月初四日

   • 公元1925年6月24日（星期三）