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Disturbances
STATEMENT ON KOWLOON DISTURBANCES-
consider it necessary to state the facts
H.M.G. regret that the statement issued in Peking on May 15th the about disturbances in Hong Kong, should apparently have been based on inaccurate reports about the actual course of events.
true facts are as follows.
The
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.
3. ^
broke out on the 6th May outside one of these
factories which was 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.
4. 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.
5. In labour matters the Hong Kong Government's policy is to
make available the specialist services of its Labour Department
jive impartial help to management and trade unions to settle
to
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