dismissed in May and June-they had by the end of the year expended about $35 million. At the turn of the year groups of workers ap- proached the Labour Department with the demand that 10,000 men, who were described as unemployed or semi-employed, should be found employment. It was believed that the majority of these men had already found suitable jobs; there was in fact a labour shortage; at the time that the demand was made there were 4,000 vacancies reported in in- dustry and a further 1,000 vacancies in non-industrial occupations.
200. This paper records the history of confrontation from its begin- nings in May until 31st December, 1967. It is an incomplete history because, although by the end of the year communist violence had abated, the principles of confrontation have not been abandoned nor can it be concluded that a more violent phase of activity will not be resumed in the future. As the record shows, however, the demonstra- tions, stoppages of work and outright violence which the communists have perpetrated have all been withstood and, by their steadfastness and resilience, the people of the Colony have shown that they can meet any new form of attack that may be launched.
201. Central to the whole course of these events has been the attitude of the overwhelming majority of the people of Hong Kong. At the start of their assault, the Communists undoubtedly expected that considerable numbers could be attracted to their cause, or at least could be kept neutral by a combination of dislike of the authorities, 'patriotism' and intimidation. In the event, the people of Hong Kong rallied strongly behind their Government and openly and freely made clear their opposition to the Communists' activities. Their resolution, fortified by the firm and restrained action taken by the security forces and, in particular, the Hong Kong Police Force, sustained all those who were working to defeat the threat which faced the community. A major factor in the current restoration of the situation, therefore, has un- doubtedly been the dismay of the communists at finding themselves without support and, indeed, subject to the strong disapprobation of the people of Hong Kong as a whole.
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