Page 139 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 139
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 139
Because they were uncomfortable, they took their guns out of their pockets and put
them on the table. GFA promised them nothing, gave them nothing and got them out
of the office laughing. It was then found that one of the godown staff had told the
gangsters he could get them the job. When they met him they could see from the
man’s position that he could probably not deliver the goods, but they felt that they
should have try anyway. The man was now in trouble with the gangsters, with the
Firm and with the number one godownman, the Firm’s tame gangster. In a few days
he resigned on account of ill health, i.e. suffering from insomnia - probably a true
statement. His resignation was accepted on these grounds and he was paid a
retirement sum. The man then approached the Canton Guild, which looked after the
interests of Cantonese in Shanghai and was a very powerful organization. They
wrote to the Firm asking that he be paid a retiring gratuity. GFA then had much
pleasure in telling the Guild exactly how much the man had been given. knowing that
the Guild would demand 10 or 20 percent as a fee for their assistance. A neat
revenge.
He remained with the firm until July 1947 when he planned to retire at the age of 60. But he
was not happy. A letter from his sister Esther to Percy and Amy Moore written in June
1946 said:
“Les has decided to stay in the Army and is leaving for South Africa. A letter from
George says Fan is just the same - no release from mental suffering. He himself is
pretty fed up with life in Shanghai - the labour problems seem pretty bad. Their
Assistant Manager broke down under the strain and had to leave for Australia.
George is longing for next year when he retires.”
Return to Table of Contents
Because they were uncomfortable, they took their guns out of their pockets and put
them on the table. GFA promised them nothing, gave them nothing and got them out
of the office laughing. It was then found that one of the godown staff had told the
gangsters he could get them the job. When they met him they could see from the
man’s position that he could probably not deliver the goods, but they felt that they
should have try anyway. The man was now in trouble with the gangsters, with the
Firm and with the number one godownman, the Firm’s tame gangster. In a few days
he resigned on account of ill health, i.e. suffering from insomnia - probably a true
statement. His resignation was accepted on these grounds and he was paid a
retirement sum. The man then approached the Canton Guild, which looked after the
interests of Cantonese in Shanghai and was a very powerful organization. They
wrote to the Firm asking that he be paid a retiring gratuity. GFA then had much
pleasure in telling the Guild exactly how much the man had been given. knowing that
the Guild would demand 10 or 20 percent as a fee for their assistance. A neat
revenge.
He remained with the firm until July 1947 when he planned to retire at the age of 60. But he
was not happy. A letter from his sister Esther to Percy and Amy Moore written in June
1946 said:
“Les has decided to stay in the Army and is leaving for South Africa. A letter from
George says Fan is just the same - no release from mental suffering. He himself is
pretty fed up with life in Shanghai - the labour problems seem pretty bad. Their
Assistant Manager broke down under the strain and had to leave for Australia.
George is longing for next year when he retires.”
Return to Table of Contents
