En Clair
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Sent 17 May 1967. 17352
70)
FLASH No.943
Drafts Below
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong Repeated
11
[1
Peking (IMMEDIATE) POLAD Singapore) (PRIORITY)
Washington
My immediately preceding telegram.
Following is text of statement:
Begins.
H.M.G. consider it necessary to state the facts about the disturbances in Hong Kong.
2. The recent disturbances in Kowloon arose from an industrial dispute in April between workers and their employers about wages and conditions of employment involving 650 workers in two factories producing artificial flowers. The injection moulding sections of both factories were closed and the workers were dismissed. A Settlement could not be reached in negotiations between employers and workers.
The Labour Department of the Hong Kong Government offered its services in an effort to help the parties to reach agreement, but this offer was refused by both sides.
30
Disturbances broke out on the 6th May outside one of these factories situated in Kowloon. The police clearly informed those involved of the laws governing peaceful picketing, warned them repeatedly of the consequences of disorder and urged them to desist. These warnings went unheeded, and the police were therefore obliged to act to keep the peace. As a result, 21 persons were arrested. Subsequent efforts by the Labour Department to bring the parties together to discuss their difficulties and try to reach an agreed settlement were frustrated by the outbreak of further disorders on May 11th in the vicinity of the same factory. Again after repeated warnings the police were obliged to take action to keep the peace and 143 persons were arrested. There were more disorders in the same area between 12th and 14th May and a further 257 persons were arrested. All cases of arrest are being treated in the normal way in accordance with the due process of the law. By 17th May of those arrested 128 had been charged with riot, 100 with unlawful assembly, 91 with breaking the curfew and 88 with such offences as assault and affray. 14 have been released without charges preferred and 12 have been acquitted.
40 Throughout the disturbances the Hong Kong police, a number of whom were injured in the three days of rioting, have shown great restraint in carrying out their responsibilities and have used the minimum force.
ALA
69
Rand
150