Cypher
FLASH
SECRET
No.621
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 17 May 1967
R. 17
0828Z
Repeated
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Peking No.232
11
#1
11 POLAD Singapore No.100 "Washington No.116
58
RE
IN
(S. of S. please pass to all) ARCH
My immediately preceding telegram.
Peking Statement.
Hin
Following is suggested redraft.
"H.M.G. consider that the Chinese Ministry of Forei gn Affairs in making their statement of May 15 about disturbances in Hong Kong are misinformed about the actual course of events. The true facts are as follows:
2. As in first sub-paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference.
30 Disorders 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 11 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 12 and 14 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.
40 Throughout the disturbances the Hong Kong police have shown great restraint in carrying out their responsibilities and have used the minimum force. A number of them were injured in the three days of rioting.
5. In labour matters the Hong Kong Government's policy is to make available the special services of its Labour Department to give impartial help to management and trade unions to settle any dispute that may arise between them. It has already done so on this occasion and remains ready to do all it can to facilitate a settlement.
16.
LACT
SECRET FOF.
57 69
PACO