CYPHER/CAT A
PRICEITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 956
CONFIDENTIAL
TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
1 AUGUST 1968
12
CONFIDENTIAL
HW
YOUR TELEGRAM 1337 : CENTENARY CONGRESS OF BRITISH T.U.C.
COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR HAS INTERVIEWED FUNG HO1-CHUI. HE IS SATISFIED
THAT LACK OF FINANCE IS NOT REASON FOR NON-ATTENDANCE. FOR INSTANCE,
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT AN IVORY BOAT HAS BEEN DESPATCHED AS MOMENTO
TO COMMEMORATE OCCASION.
2.
FUNG'S OFFICIAL REASON IS THAT ANNUAL MEETING OF LOCAL T.U.C.
TAKES PACE ON 9TH SEPTEMBER AND THAT MANY PREPARATIONS HAVE TO
BE MADE DURING PRECEDING FORTNIGHT INVLOVING PRESENCE OF ALL
OFFICIALS IN HONG KONG. HE ADDED THAT, APART FROM HIMSELF, OTHER
OFFICIALS WERE NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN A
FITTING MANNER AT SUCH AN IMPORTANT CONGRESS.
3.
DURING
COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR'S ASSESSMENT OF REAL REASONS IS THAT
FUNG DOES NOT TRUST OTHER REPRESENTATIVES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
UNLESS HE IS THERE WITH THEM. HE IS UNABLE TO GO HIMSELF AND THERE-
FORE IS UNWILLING TO LET OTHERS GO BECAUSE HE FEARS THAT,
HIS ABSENCE, INTRIGUES WILL DEVELOP TO VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE
AS SECRETARY GENERAL. COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR IS UNABLE AT PRESENT
TO ASSESS THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUNG LOSING OFFICE BUT WHILE HE REMAINS
IN POWER HE WILL RESIST ALL MOVES WHICH WOULD KEEP HIM OUT OF
TOUCH WITH DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE CRUCIAL WEEKS PRIOR TO THE
ANNUAL MEETING
SIR D. TRENCH
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
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