Carrying out the instructions of the Government in the reorganization of the company, the new management, after having settled with the shore Staff, turned its attention to the ships 'The ''compradore system was abolished, and instead the company install. ed' pursers or "business managers" who were put on the salary lst. The boys thus came directly under the control of the company, which paid them and reserved the right to Shire or fire." There was opposition from the vested Interests, of course, but with Government backing the company overcome it and persisted {in its polley of reform.
On the company's ships which were changed to the purser system, there were at least six hundred tea-hove-tar too many for the needs, In which the boys were taught the elements of their trade. This school has served its purpose and is no Longer in existence, but it did inculeato the rudiments of courtesy and fefielent attendance In its pupils and thus did a lot of good.
Medical Examinations Then all the tea-boys were requir to submit to a medical examina~ ton, Two institutions assisted in this =the Health Department of the City Government and the Chinese Red Cross Hospital. And the company was able to secure the ce-operation of the seamen's union, The company pointed out to the "union that it Should not want on its list of mem-bors diseased or decrepit persons who might damage its good name. Tt also pointed out that the examination was being carried out under the orders of the Government, Further, the company set upasystem of registration of tea-boys, All tea-boys who were Pronounced ill of diseases such as Consumption and others which wera Ukely to be fatal were dismissed with' gratuities amounting to about two months' of their pay. Others who were fil but who could be cured, were taken off the pay-roll until they were well, Fucilitles for curing them were given, and they were allowed to register with the company as soon as they could produce a medical certificate that they were cured, The company made no promise ty re-employ them in this event, but told the men that they would be Elven preferential treatment when vacancies occurred. Registered teaboys, would be given first offers of any Jobs that turned up. Tu this way about 180 tea-boys were taken off the ships; some permanently got rid of, others put on the waiting list, Fighting Extortion Attention was then turned toward reform of the tea-boy system on the (Gontinued on page 121.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.