Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 26 May 1967
Ra
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STRATION ₤166
D
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IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No.715
HWA1/17
Addressed to S. of S. Repeated
If
??
Peking No.275
"POLAD Singapore No.134 "Washington No.147
(S. of S. please pass PRIORITY to all)
My telegram No.705.-157
Sitrep as at 26/1800.
Two Government Departments had limited stoppages. 700 postmen are on strike from 260800 to 270600, thus preventing any delivery or collection service except airmail. Counter service remains normal but sorting has been partially affected. Staff of the Marine Department slip-way staged a 3-hour strike from 0800 this morning, This affected some fifty launches and slightly disrupted transport for sanitation and port works. Port services to visiting ships were not affected.
2.
I have had a general warning issued to the public service pointing out that those who participate in stoppages leave themselves open to disciplinary action including dismissal,
3
The only other strike action was the sit-down of some 3,000 workers of the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Co. in Hong Kong from 1300 to 1600. This was peaceful and the workers are carrying out an equivalent amount of overtime this evening. Private companies are being advised to take a firmer line on strikers.
40
5.
Transport services have been fully normal today.
There have been 3 rumours of strike action at the Electric Co. which serves Kowloon, the Telephone Co. and the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co., but there have been no stoppages.
6.
In the early afternoon leaflets were thrown from roof-tops and high windows in several parts of both Hong Kong and Kowloon. These carry invective in Chinese against British imperialism and alleged Police brutality. Police are investigating, Two loudspeakers have been intermittently broadcasting but subject matter has not warranted Police action.
7
18 court cases of unlawful assembly were heard today without incident, The case Avolving a China motor bus employee who was the pretext for an earlier strike was concluded but sentence deferred until tomorrow.
(Passed as requested, also to Resident Clerk, D.S.A.0.
Far East Dept. Foreign Office and Private Office,
Commonwealth Office)
157 170
CONFIDENTIAL
радо
/Distribution