To the Editor of the "Nonru-Cuiva Dany News"
Sim—In a recent issue of your esteemed paper I read one article which surprised me very much. The article I refer to was to the effect that Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Ca, announce their intention of reducing the salaries of their foreign floating staff on March 1, 1926, 'Upon reading the amount of salary which their foreign floating staff receive per month, I was still more surprised, I was always under the impression' that such a highly educated man as a shipmaster oF officer, received at least 80 per cent. more than the amount outlined in your article. To my mind I believe that the pay of these men should al be increased 80 per cent. and the pay of the office staff reduced to meet the increase to the floating staff, The office staff work but six hours a day, they have their golf, tennis, and all other sports and amusements; then they have their club, the society of their families and' friends, and all the comforts which they' desire, which tend to make life happy. A. professional seafaring man Imust be a person possesses mental and physical ties of a very high degree. He is on duty 12 hours a day in three watches of four hours and has no comforts at all; he must stand on the bridge exposed to the elements for four hours; in heavy weather or foggy weather all his faculties are strained taut, his eyes and ears are tuned to sce or hear any dangers which may be in the vicinity, and he is usually soaked to the skin with the seas which continuously patte: his vessel. After four hours on the bridge he goes to his room for four hours' rest and is informed by the Captain that he must keep himself handy. Upon entering his room he usually finds six or seven inches of water in it which has been forced in there when the vessel has shipped a sea, (some comfort). He crawls into his bed, which measures six by three, and tries to relax and obtain a little rest for the brief period of four hours, or less if he required on deck. After the ration of four hours discomfort by three he proceeds to the bridge for another four hours' duty. In foggy weather he must remain on the bridge all the time the for continues and bring his vessel into port on schedule time or write lengthy report as to where he has been idling.
Reflect for a moment on the salary of a chief officer or second officer who is a married man with two children. Chief officer's present salary is $278, second officer $235, with an additional 10 per cent. for those whose wife and family reside jin China. If the wife and family rossite in Europe or Great Britain they don't receive the additional 10 per cent. A large number of these men leave their families in Europe or Great Britain as it is impossible to maintain them in China on such a small salary (more comfort). How can these people live like respect~ able citizens aiid good Christians on uch a meagre salary? After paying house rent, light, heat, gas, taxes, food, clothing, insurance, and school fees for the' children, it la inipossible, It is but a mere existence, and Messrs. Jardine Mathe-
The floating staff is the backbone of their organization and their pay]
above the present rate. Or ove the present rater Or reduce the.salary of the whole of their entire staff ashore and afloat, and reduce directors' fees, both Chinese and foreign alike, and not. pick on one section of their staff, as, on the face of it, it is ridiculously absurd.
Thanking you in advance for the publication of this letter, Hankow, Jan, 20, 1926,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.