SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (0.A.G.)
10
9
Cypher
D. 30 June, 1967. #t R. 30
11152
JUL
190.
2.
277
PRIORITY SECRET
No. 945.
(254)
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
"
Peking No.372 and
Repeated
11
#t
POLAD Singapore No.209
#1
#t
Washington No.206
(S. of S. please pass to all)
My telegram No. 891.
Hong Kong Confrontation.
Following is L.I.C. assessment of the situation
as at mid-day 30 June,
RECEIVED IN
(a)
(0)
ARCHIVES No. 63
3- JUL!967
HWA1/1
Principal developments over the past week have been:-
the strike in public transportation, utilities, which spread also to port facilities and the textile industry. This strike which began
on 24 June, has achieved varying degrees of success in these fields but there has been no complete disruption in any one area. The buses, particularly those of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company were worst hit, but restricted services have been maintained. Gas and electricity supplies have not been affected despite some absenteeism among labourers. The ferries were least affected only one route being out. The tram company was able to keep about half its fleet running. In the harbour, work continued as usual on ships lying alongside but because of a refusal on the part of tow boats and lighters to work in mid-stream for fear of intimidation, delays have occurred in the loading and discharging of cargo from ships at buoys. Since the 24 June, there has been a slow but steady trickle of strikers returning to work and it is hoped that this trend will continue. The majority of the employers concerned, have dismissed the strikers though, in some cases, they are offering reinstatement, on a selective basis:
an attempt to call a four-day stoppage commencing on the 29 June of hawkers, livestock dealers, retailers, tradesmen and employees of commercial organisations who are largely dependent on supplies from China for their livelihood. To support this strike local communist food importers have suspended food deliveries from China starting on .. 3 June,
PAP
LAST
RIF
SECRET
254 278,285
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/although