CHINESE BANDITS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1934, Page 5

CHINESE BANDITS

GIRL CHIEF CAPTURED. [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] TOKIO, December 29. Hsinking reports the capture of a chieftainess of a band of Chinese bandits, who have been trying to spread Communism in the Kirin Province, and also of her lover, as well as of another girl member of the band, aged 16 years. The chieftainess is 26 years of age. She is the daughter of a murdered landowner. She refused to recant Communism despite a threat of execution. SHIPPING DISPUTE. HONG KONG, December 29. Several of the Chinese shipowners, in connection with the threat of the European shipping officers on their vessels to strike for improved pay, have agreed to pay standard scale wages, but the situation was to-day complicated by the fact that the owners of one vessel have discharged four British subjects, giving the command to an unemployed Norwegian captain. The Guild states that unless these British subjects are reinstated, a strike will occur on all ships, even if all of the others agree to pay the standard wage. The Engineers’ Guild are fully co-operating with the deck officers, and it is expected that a strike will occur at midnight. HONG KONG, December 30. British coastal river ships’ officers struck at midnight. They are standing by the ships. The Officers’ Guild meanwhile is holding a protracted meeting to decide the policy. It is rumoured that certain Chinese owners proposed to accept the terms six months hence, the object being to import low-waged foreigners. The British Guild is determined to fight the issue without compromise.

REPATRIATED. VANCOUVER, December 28. British Columbia is paying the expenses of 150 destitute Chinese who are being sent back to the Orient. Their departure is voluntary, with the understanding that they will be permitted to return when conditions improve.