CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
157
Cypher
D. 25 May 1967 R. 25 11
18
1525Z
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No.705
Co
HWD
5/17
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
tf
1?
"Peking No.271
tt POLAD Singapore No.1 31
10
Washington No.144
(S. of S. please pass to all)
My telegram No.693.138
Sitrep as at 25/2000.
Three token stoppages occurred today none of which inconvenienced the general population. Transport on Hong Kong Island has returned to normal and there are encouraging developments in the resolution of the two labour disputes which sparked off the present disturbances.
2c China Motor Bus Company on Hong Kong Island decided to return to work after a management threat of "no work, no pay". After a slow start, bus and tram services returned to normal.
3 There were token stoppages in the Dairy Farm Organisation, the main supplier of fresh milk, which also runs cafés, restaurants and grocery stores. There was also a token stoppage on the Star Ferry between 1630 and 1730, the time when the majority of people return home. These may well indicate that similar incidents directed against those who are unlikely to support Communist aims may be expected.
There was also a sitdown strike at the Kowloon power station which did not affect supplies. These stoppages were demonstrations against Government only.
4. The injection moulding section of the Hong Kong Artificial Flower Co. at San Po Kong is due to reopen tomorrow morning. At the Green Island Cement Company peaceful picketing continues but over 100 workers have now accepted severance pay,
(Passed as requested with advance copies to Foreign Office
F.E. Dept. and Commonwealth Secretary's Private Office)
Distribution H.K. W.I.D. 'C'
A
I.G.D.
J.1.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
LAST
198
166
ARC
HWA 1/1
Copies also sent:
CONFIDENTIAL
ваа