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companies concerned agreed to consult the Unic| in the event of future vacancies. However, Union Officials have continued to allege falsely to members that the Kowloon Motor Bus Company intends to re-employ strikers. Groups of dis- missed seamen, accompanied by officials of the Hong Kong's Seamen's Union (HKSU) have approached several shipping agencies and the majority have agreed to offer employment when vacancies occur. The main Communist Textile Union has decided to pay considerably reduced 'strike allowances' this month to those who have found re-employment and, so far, has only issued 50% to those who are still unemployed.
(e) Further Communist picnics and meetings in the New Territories. Groups also assisted squatters in moving their personal belongings from a
(F)
(g)
clearance site on Hong Kong Island during the week. There were no incidents.
Continued anti British propaganda in the Communist Press about 'gift rice' and the two film stars. The theme of water salinity was revived, but in a minor key.
The continued comparative calm of the Border Area
broken only by two minor incidents in which stones were thrown by youths in Chinese territory at military patrols in British territory and by youths who fired air gun pellets from CT at the military post at Sha Tau Kok. was no damage or injury.
There
57 were
(h) A marked reduction in the number of illegal
immigrants entering the Colony by sea. arrested during the week bringing the total for March to date to 340. No further attempts have been made to effect repatriation to China.
The one day patrial stoppage of work by DPV drivers appears to have been engineered and organised by a small group of militant members of the Motor Transport Workers' Union (MTWU ) in the New Territories and not to have been planned by the Union. The stoppage in fact caused little inconvenience to the public and the Communist Press, while giving delayed prominence to reports of the 'strike', did not comment editorially and adopted a slightly apologetic tone, The degree of support given to the stoppage does not indicate any growing support for the Communists by the drivers, the majority of whom have no political sympathies, but rather a possible fear of repercussions had they taken their vehicles on the Road.
3. The Dock Workers' Union which opposed any return to work was one of the most militant and active during the violent phases of confrontation many of its officials being arrested, The members no doubt realise that they have little hope of securing /reinstatement
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