Cypher
Original an HLA 57/12
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 7th May, 1967 R. 7th
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IMMEDIATE CONFIDENTIAL
No. 553
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.) Repeated to Peking No. 195
tt
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P.A. Singapore No. 63 (S. of S.please pass to both)
During last week an industrial dispute developed in two factories belonging to the Hong Kong artificial flower works. The management eventually decided to lock out the workers from the injection moulding sections of both factories and subsequently arranged to discharge them and pay their wages due.
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About three-quarters of the workers accepted their wages. But on 6th May in the Kowloon factory where Left-Wing elements are strong, workers on picket attempted forcibly to prevent the removal of goods from the factory by lorry. They were warned by police that they were exceeding the rights of peaceful picketing but persisted in their action. Eventually scuffles developed and 18 were arrested by the police using batons only.
3. Later a further three workers visited the police station where the men were detained to lodge a protest against the arrests. They were recognised as having played a leading part in the disturbances and also arrested; one of them was later found to be the Chairman of the Left-Wing Rubber and Plastic Workers' Union, which has a membership of just under 1,200 of whom only 30 are employed in the factory.
4. All the men were detained and will be charged with "besetting" under the Trade Union Registration Ordinance and with unlawful assembly. They include the Chairman of the Union and 5 members.
CONFIDENTIAL
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