227
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.63
2167
HUDILIZ
Cypher
D. 8 June, 1967.
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8 It
1315Z
IMMEDIATE SECRET No. 799
221
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.) Repeated PRIORITY to Peking No.323
"
to P.A. Singapore No.169
Washington No.171
(S. of S. please pass to all)
SITREP as at 08/1800.
My telegram No. 785.
The storm over the removal of posters broke yesterday and continues. There have been 7 protest strikes against Government action in the last two days and two major concerns have suspended operations in a move to purge their work-force of trouble-makers and re-establish discipline. Government organisations and public utilities have again been the main targets of strike action but no essential services have been interrupted. The police have been mobilised in emergency structure to prevent or deal with disorders in Kowloon and on the island. In Kowloon tear gas has twice been used.
2.
Star Ferry crews refused to work at 06 2345. The management refused to accede to demands for the replacement of posters and finally suspended all workers. Re-registration has started well but resumption of operations may be made difficult because of the hostile attitude of dock workers near the Ferry berths.
+36
The Taikoo dockyard today suspended operations temporarily pending reorganisation after it had become clear that management had lost control. Workers are still being paid. Attempts to stir up trouble outside the gates today were foiled by the presence of police in strength but the militants among the workers are particularly tough. The situation remains dangerous. In Kowloon this morning, the workers at the Government electrical and mechanical (E. and M) workshops barricaded themselves in and began putting up posters. The scene became so unruly that police moved in, using tear gas.
426 men were taken away for questioning of whom 8 have been detained. Trouble also occurred at the nearby gasworks where an ugly situation developed during the afternoon. The police again used tear gas against a hard core barricaded into one part of the plant and 104 arrests were made.
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