Attempted Formation of Guild—Drastic Action by the I. G.—
Men's Leader Dismissed—What the Service is Asking The Inspector General has taken a strong attitude with regard to the men's proposal to form a guild amongst the members of the Outdoor Service, as was explained, for mutual protection.
It will be remembered that on March 11 a meeting was called at the request of some 120 men, originally to consider the superannation scheme which had been published by the Inspector-Gener and also, the question of some action to obtain the Saturday afternoon holiday. As the result of a certain incident which occurred between the convening of the meet ing and the day on which it was held, it was proposed at the meeting to form a Customs Guild, a resolution that was carried with only one dissentient out of an atten dance of 147.
The men were ordered to attend at the Customs Club yesterday afternoon in uniform, when they were addressed by the Inspector-General.
Chinese Maritime Customs has been in progress openly for well over a year The matters for discontent, they allege, are of long standing and it has been common knowledge for some years past that the men of the outdoor staff have been dissatisfied with their lot. In the early part of last year, February 4, 1919, 50 members of the outdoor staff amer in Shanghai for the purpose of drawing up the following 11 proposals for submission to the local Commissioner and through him to the Inspector General.
1. Increase of pay by 30 per cent. minimum.
2. Superannuation fund 10 per cent. of pay contributed by members to which Inspector General is to add 20 per cent.
3. Promotions to be 75 per cent. by seniority and 25 per cent. by selection.
(a) Suitable quarters and heavy furniture therein at all Out-
A Guitp Srricrry Forsippey.
We informed that Sir Francis Wglen stated inter alia, that neither the Chinese Government nor himself would tolerate anything in the nature of trades unionism amongst the men, and that any man joining a guild having any objects but those usually connected with a benevolent association would be unable to continue service in the Customs. He is also reported to have stated that attendance at public meetings in connexion with service matters, held outside Customs property or in any public building, would be taken as equivalent to the man at tending it handing in his resignation which would be immediately accepted. In future, staff meetings in the Club could only be held with the consent of the Commissioner after a request in writing signed by a number of the men had been submitted.
The Inspectpr-General's was the only speech made, no discussion b+ ing allowed. or, (b) Full transfer expenses and insurance on effects to be paid Inspector General.
5. Full passage money for self and wife and half fare for children (limited to 3) on home leave.
6. Hospital and doctor's fees incurred through service conditions, climate, etc.. to be paid in full.
7. Confidential reports system to be amended. Men to be shown their reports and sign them, with privilege of challenge.
8. All uniforms to be supplied by Customs.
9. Uniformity of transfers as far as possible, i.e.. avoiding several transfers in one or two years, etc.
10. Leave. First after seven years, subsequently after five Fears.
11. Increase when necessary of house rent allowance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.