Though incitement in many forms. occurs every day, Shameen ce far [has been quiet. "Barbed wire bacrieades have been erected ard a conerete "pill-box" guards the bridge. approaches. These, however, are, the only visible signs of defence and there are no military displays which could be made an. excuse by the: carrying on efficient hospital work go, absolutely preposterous, Among these the most startling are the "1—The employees must have freedom to talk, to publish any matter desired, and to stu "2.—A hospital employee may not] be reprimanded, his work changed, supplies of the city Gen. Liu Chen-hua's attacking force looted the Chinese for 2 demonstration. entire countryside most thoroughly to kill spare time, 0 the populace Pithout the walls endured nearly as much hardship' as the resident within, and the armies engaged, as usual, suffered the least Our informant stopped at Swatow "3.—A hospital can only engage fon his way up acd declares that a/8m employee recommenda] by the Ivery- curious state of affairs exists Gnien, an employes must be $15 a month with board, double wages for the last month of the year and two suits. of clothes each summer and two each winter, 'There must be an cereasé of wages each year and, addition to this, special demands' for an increase must be granted, "y1—Om public holidays and national parade days hospital employees must be given double wages they remain at work.
"10—Hospitals must help with money to open workmen's schools for the benefit of the employees, but may not require any to study who are disinclined to do so.
"Tt will be quite plain to anyone who reads the above demands that, if they were allowed, the running of a hospital in any officiant way, would be quite impossible. The directors of the J. G. Kerr Hospital therefore approached the depart ment of the Government responsible for the hospitals with the intimation that, owing to the lessened number of patients, the hospital proposed te reduce the number of attendants and that among those discharged would be eight men who were make ing trouble. This was to take effect on December 31, and they looked te the Government to stand behind them and prevent the necessity fox the hospital being shut down. The Labour Union declared that, if any, attendant was dismissed from the hospital, a strike of all employed in, the hospital would be enforced.
"The Government. replied to the hospital, stating that they wore about to bring out regulations to and employees in all hospitals and control the relations of employers asking the J. G. Kerr Hospital to delay their action for a short period, To this, the directors acquiesced and prolonged the time to January 15; on a further request they again ale tered the date to January 81, but stated that this must be regarded 8 final.
Shifty Officials 4
In the meantime, the head of the Government Departnient invited the hospital to a conference on tha matters at issue, but on each casion when this invitation was ace cepted the responsible authorities falled. themaciven to oppe conference, though the was issued in. their name and ug progress at all has been mad After consultation with the loca branch of the China Medical Assoc" lation, the following statement, of the basic principles underlying the relationship between hospitals and employees were decided on and transmitted to the Government, Department.
"1.—Hospitals are to be immune rom strikes, forcible closing, pickote ing, intimidation of staff or patients, or any outside illegal interference in their management or operation.
"2—Pall authority shall be vost= ea in the hospital management. for engaging, disciplining or discharging fany one in the service of the hose pital In case an employee is dise charged for " reason not the fault of himself, one month's remuneration in advance shall be given "4o—Any. employed guilty stealing, adultery, gross maitre ment of a patient, disobedience, neglect of duty, may be dismissed without moti or any advance Ter "At a meeting of the branch out January 20, n deputation of foun members was appointed: to meet with the representative of tha Government at a conference which had himself fied for the followe ing day. On presenting themselves the place of meeting, the Governe rnentvepresentative was not to be ound and the only person to meet them was one of the secretaries of the Labour Union As discussion with this man was undesirable, the Geputation proceeded to the head ole of the Government. represent. ative who had called. the meeting, tht were there told that this official was away and his whereabouts uns Town, "At the same time, it must te stated that the superintendent of the J. G, Kerr Hospital was asked the same day to meet certain other Government ofieials, who tala him that they had decided to draw up regulations governing. the Hospital mich would profit strikes in ho pitals and giving the superintendent employees," pee the right of choosing and dismissing
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.