Chapter 467 Star Ferry Incident
April is fast approaching, and the recovery trend of Hong Kong's real estate market is becoming more and more obvious. House prices in many places have increased by more than 15%, and many real estate companies and scalpers have begun to become lively.
However, another thing happened. The price of Hong Kong's Star Ferry is going to increase.
The process of the matter is very simple. As the only steamship company that monopolizes Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, the Star Ferry controls the ships that carry millions of people back and forth in Hong Kong, similar to Hong Kong Island CMB and Kowloon Kowloon Bus.
However, on land, even if you think the bus is expensive, you can still walk or even take a rickshaw in some remote places, or if you think the bus service is too poor, you can also take a taxi if you are not short of money. In short, there are still some methods; but on the water If you can't get there, you can't swim there except by boat, right?
And the most important thing is that many people work in Hong Kong Island and live in Kowloon, or a small number of people work in Kowloon. They have to travel back and forth by boat every day. This can be said to be one of the money that must be consumed in life, similar to water and electricity.
In October 1965 last year, the Star Ferry Company applied to the Hong Kong government for an increase of 5 cents (5 cents) for first-class seats, from 2 cents to 25 cents, while the price for second-class seats remained unchanged at 1 cents. However, it was immediately criticized. The whole society came to oppose it, and in the following month, more than 20,000 people signed a petition to oppose it, temporarily suspending the matter.
Last month, in March 1966, the Hong Kong Government's Transport Advisory Committee, which specializes in reviewing public transport charges, held a meeting to discuss the fare issue of the Star Ferry. Only one member named Yip objected, and all other members agreed. , the Star Ferry's application for a fare increase was approved. One of the councilors also claimed that the increase was for first-class seats. If you think it is expensive, you can continue to sit on second-class seats without a price increase.
Then it triggered the SL and BD in Kowloon District. The transportation and business in many places were greatly affected. This was actually the beginning of the rise of Chinese capital. It was precisely because of these resistance that the British capital did not dare to suppress it at will. Huazi.
On April 8, Yang Wendong was discussing Singapore real estate with Zheng Zhijie. Suddenly, the phone rang, so he immediately answered: "Hello, hello."
After a while, Yang Wendong hung up the phone and then said: "The Hong Kong Governor's Office invited me to come and discuss the matter of the Star Ferry."
"Star Ferry? This has nothing to do with us, right?" Zheng Zhijie asked in confusion.
Yang Wendong said: "We are not the only ones who are going. I guess they want to invite some Chinese people with some status to negotiate the recent chaos. I am also a justice of the peace. With this status, I also have some responsibilities;
Regardless of whether you can do anything or not, you must at least participate, otherwise it will be a bit unreasonable. ”
The Justice of the Peace gave many Chinese a convenient status, and the British gave such rights. On the one hand, they wanted to win over the Chinese, and they also hoped that the Chinese who were granted status could maintain peace and tranquility in the colony.
A few decades ago, justices of the peace would still have great actual power, but now they are just status symbols, and their corresponding responsibilities have naturally been reduced, but to a certain extent.
Zheng Zhijie also nodded and said: "Indeed, at times like this in the past, the Hong Kong government also relied on Chinese representatives to handle these matters first."
"What happened at Yihe is now in chaos, so we have to clean up the mess." Yang Wendong said indifferently: "Let's go and have a look first. Lao Zheng, you are also coming with me. There is one thing I want to do. Give it a try, it has something to do with you.”
"What's the matter?" Zheng Zhijie asked.
Yang Wendong said: "The essential reason for the Star Ferry's problem this time is still due to monopoly. It would be good if competition was introduced. We are unlikely to obtain another ferry company license, but if the undersea tunnel or bridge between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island If it goes through, the Star Ferry will not be eligible to increase the price any more.”
Zheng Zhijie also understood: "Does Yang Sheng want to take over this project?"
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "Yes, this project can be said to be one of the lifeblood cores of Hong Kong's economy. If we win it, it will definitely be a cost-effective investment according to my predictions about Hong Kong's future economy."
Zheng Zhijie also agreed: "It is true, but the Hong Kong government has not yet determined whether to build a bridge or a tunnel, nor where to build it. I am afraid it will take a lot of time,
And if the project is really finalized, I am afraid that a lot of capital will come from British capital and the competition will be fierce. ”
Yang Wendong said: "Yes, I know, but you can still try."
Historically, the construction of the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel was only started a year and a half after the economic crisis ended. By that time, competition had become very fierce;
If it can be promoted a little earlier, such as bidding for qualifications in 1967, it is estimated that the Hong Kong government may also want to take the money and run away, that would be perfect.
The next day, Yang Wendong took Zheng Zhijie to the Hong Kong Governor's Office. After chatting with many senior executives, they went to a conference room.
There are three parties sitting here at the moment, namely Hong Kong government officials, representatives of British capital and representatives of Chinese capital. He Shanheng, Pao Yugang and others are also here, and Yang Wendong nods to them.
Governor Dai Lunche first spoke: "Everyone, the biggest problem in Hong Kong now is the chaos caused by the Star Ferry fare increase. Many people are on strike, blocking traffic, and some even take the opportunity to rob property. This has caused a great deal of harm to the peace of Hong Kong. The threat. So I invite you here today just to ask for your opinions on how we can calm down this matter peacefully.”
Everyone was silent after listening. No one wanted to be the first to take the lead at this time, and the same was true for Yang Wendong. He was not willing to get involved in this kind of thing, purely to give himself a "Justice of the Peace" position and the Governor of Hong Kong. face.
However, one person said: "Mr. Governor, the cause of this incident is because of the increase in the price of the Star Ferry. Maybe some people took the opportunity to cause trouble, but the core demand of most people is to reduce the price of the ferry. As long as the price drops, then Everything will naturally return to calm. Those who are currently taking advantage of the opportunity to break the law can just be arrested by the police.”
Yang Wendong also saw this person. He knew that this woman was named Ye Xi'en, and she was also the only committee member who opposed the price increase at the previous Star Ferry hearing.
John Keswick, a representative of the Jardine Matheson Group, said: "No, the price of the Star Ferry has not increased in five years. In the past five years, prices in Hong Kong have increased a lot, and the average salary of many people has doubled. , why can’t public utilities like ours increase prices?”
Representatives of other British-owned companies also supported John Keswick's remarks one by one.
The Star Ferry belongs to the Wharf Group, and naturally also belongs to the Jardine Matheson Group. In fact, it is just a small industry under the Jardine Matheson Group. But in today's situation, it absolutely cannot give in.
If the price of the Star Ferry is reduced today due to Chinese demonstrations, then in the future, with so many industries controlled by British capital that monopolize people's livelihood, such as communications, electricity, gas, finance, etc., won't they never be able to increase prices?
Ye Xi'en asked with a smile: "Mr. Keswick means that the Star Ferry is now operating at a loss?"
John Keswick frowned and felt that there seemed to be something wrong with this woman's question, but he could only admit: "Yes, the Star Ferry lost 1.1 million Hong Kong dollars last year, and the Hong Kong government has also audited it. If If you don’t believe it, you can also entrust a third party to audit it.”
Since price increases are required, preparations for financial audits must also be made. Even if it is British-owned, the Hong Kong government will only help when the time is right, and will not completely ignore other factors. Therefore, the most basic requirements There still needs to be some. If a monopoly enterprise demands a price increase, it must be "reasonable."
Others didn't care. The audit was probably true and there was no fraud in this regard. However, it was too easy to make the company suffer losses on a legal level and vice versa. For example, Hong Kong Carnegie Corporation in the 1980s. A large group in 2022 will have huge profits~
Ye Xi'en said: "Since the Hong Kong government has audited it, I naturally believe it. However, I don't think there is any need for Jardine to operate such a loss-making business? Why don't we give up? I think other companies are interested in taking over the Star Ferry." , and it can also ensure profitability without increasing prices. ”
John Keswick was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then said with an ugly face: "Miss Ye, your logic does not comply with the rules of the commercial market."
After hearing this, Yang Wendong was also stunned for a moment. This Ye Xi'en is really "reckless", but it is normal to think about it. After this woman passed away in her previous life, three Hong Kong governors supported her coffin. A well-known central media in the mainland even called her " "A true servant of the people."
It is because she considers many things for the Chinese citizens of Hong Kong and constantly exposes police and official corruption. She even went to London to find the British government and media to expose the darkness in Hong Kong, forcing the Hong Kong government to do something, even in the future. The launch of the Independent Commission Against Corruption is also due to her.
Ye Xi'en said: "Public utilities serve the citizens of Hong Kong and are not a tool for consortiums to make money. If you feel that it is not profitable and other consortiums can guarantee profits without increasing prices, then this public utility should be handed over to others.
Mr. Governor, since the Star Ferry has caused losses to Jardine and Jardine insists on raising prices, it would be better to let the Hong Kong government take it back and hand it over to other companies, or let the Hong Kong government operate it exclusively like the water company. This is also the case at present. Problem solving methods. ”
Seeing that the ball was kicked to him, Dai Linzhi said quickly: "Ms. Ye, the Hong Kong government has always respected the principle of freedom. The reason for taking over tap water is because water affects the safety of citizens. The Hong Kong government will not take over anything else that involves business;
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As for whether other companies will accept the Star Ferry, this should be left to Jardine Matheson and other consortiums to negotiate internally, and the Hong Kong government will not be involved. As long as both parties agree, there will be no problems on my side. ”
The ball was kicked out again, and Dai Linzhi also breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was the Hong Kong government, he really had no choice in the face of Ye Xian's thorn. This Chinese congresswoman was so capable that she even tormented British officials. Everyone knows her and the media, and officials in the Hong Kong Governor's Office are afraid of her.
At this time, Guo Linshan, the representative of the Yongan Guo family, said with a smile: "If the Jardine Group feels that the Star Ferry is suffering serious losses, how about selling it to me, Yongan? I can promise not to increase the price."
After hearing this, Yang Wendong also glanced at Guo Linshan. In fact, he was also a little moved. However, his goal is Wharf in the future, so it is not suitable to attack the Star Ferry now. However, the statement of the Guo family actually confirmed that by 60 In the late 1990s, Chinese capital no longer dared to have any thoughts about British capital's assets as before. As long as it did not provoke the bottom line of Hong Kong and Britain.
John Keswick shook his head and said: "No, the Star Ferry is not considering selling it."
Ye Xien said: "Others can make a profit without raising prices, why can't Jardine? Is it because your company's management ability is not good?"
John Keswick was speechless when he was asked, and his answer was wrong. Dai Linzhi saw that it was not good to go on like this, so he glanced at Yang Wendong who was fishing, and asked: "Yang Sheng, what do you think about this matter?"< br>
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(End of chapter)