Invitations have been issued by the president and vice-president of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Seamen's Union, Messrs. Lam Wai-man and S. Chung, for the holding of the opening ceremony of the branch at the Ningpo Association, Thibet Road, at 1 o'clock on Sunday We understand that the Shanghai branch is growing with surprising rapidity, and already there is said to be a large number of members. Support is being received not only from local seamen' but from various Chinese organizations as well.
An invitation has been received from the International Seamen's Union asking China to send delegates to their conference which will be held this year, at a place to be decided upon. Two or three delegates will be selected.
The organization of the Union is brief and simple and has, we are fold, been recognized by the Ministry of Interior (Canton), the Hongkong Government.and the Shanghai Municipal Council. The constitution, translated, is as follows 1.—The name of this organization shall be the Chinese Seamen's Union, Shanghai Branch.
2.—The aim of the Union will ne to bring about ce-operation and mutual friendship between the sea-meu of China, and shall attempt better the conditions of seamen, morally and intellectually.
3.—The head office of the Union will be at 137 Des Voeux Road Central, Hongkong.
4. The offices of the Shanghai branch shall be established for the present at 163 Broadway.
5. Membership shall be open to all Chinese seamen, provided that applicants for membership be introduced by some present member or members of the union.
6. An entrance fee of one dollar shall be paid by each member.
7. The yearly membership fee shall_be $1.20.
8. The officers of the Union shall be a president, a vice-president, a chairman, a manager, and a treasurer who shall give voluntary services. These shall serve for one year, but they shall be eligible for re-election at the expiration of 9. Meetings shall be held once a month, and a mass meeting shall be held once a year.
10. Upon_ the establishment of this branch, there will be established with the funds at the disposal of the union a night school for labourers and a hospital, ete.
11. Should any member of the union die, the sum of $50 to be raised among the members shall be granted to his family.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.