OR REGISTRATION
12
JUNI
1967
231
Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 10th June, 1967 R. 10th
0955Z
હ.
IMMEDIATE CONFIDENTIAL No. 814
(227)
(157)
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (DTD). Repeated Peking No. 326
t1
POLAD Singapore No. 172.
11
Washington No. 178.
(Secretary of State please pass PRIORITY to all).
My telegram No. 799.
Sitrep as at 101800. Yesterday was comparatively quiet, the Communists were taking stock and it rained heavily. There were two disquieting developments. The first was the death in custody of a man who was arrested after the disturbances in Kowloon on 8th June. The second was the widespread distribution of a leaflet calling for a general strike some time today in Government departments and public utilities,
This
has not been effective, but in the Gas Company and the dairy farm (my telegram No. 705 refers), there has been a major withdrawal of labour. The Star Ferry resumed limited service at midday today.
26
The man who died had not been charged, although a charge would have been brought. A Government press release has been made forecasting a Communist attempt to make capital out of this death in the hope of taking some of the wind out of their sails but there are signs that a propaganda offensive is being prepared. The funeral of a "martyr" could well provide the excuse for a major clash with authorities,
る。
The five unions which called for a general strike were predominantly concerned with government service. In the event the response was negligible for which the lack of notice may have been in part responsible. The Gas Company has succeeded in maintaining supplies but at present have only 40 staff at work. I have authorised the call-out of nineteen members of the civil aid services to assist at the gas works. The dairy farm supply side has been paralysed but no assistance has been asked for. The relative failure of this call for a general strike today, coupled with the limited reinstatement of the Star Ferry service, is regarded as a rebuff to the union's leadership.
Passed as requested).
(Advance copies passed to Diplomatic Service Administration Office for Resident Clerk, Private Office for Commonwealth Secretary, Messrs de la Mare, Bolland and Wilson).
2/401/17
CONFIDENTIALST
REF.
227
/Distribution
RIF.
2344238
DADO
LEXI