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SOCIAL PRESSURE GROUPS AND THE NEW LEFT
15.
The criticism. by social pressure groups of the laws relating to public assembly continues, though in diminishing tones. In addition to the long running case of the Yaumati boat dwellers, two more prosecutions are being exploited in this context that of the Revolutionary Marxist League (see next paragraph) and a gathering of villagers in the New Territories opposing execution of a judgement in a civil landlord/tenant dispute.
16.
The Revolutionary Marxist League, the minute extremist group, had attempted to demonstrate without permission outside the NCNA offices in April (para, 21, April Assessment), Seven of those taking part were sentenced to periods of between one and two months' imprisonment for unlawful assembly, three of the sentences being suspended. The RML has decided for the time being to eschew further militant activity and to concentrate instead on publicity against the sentences. Little public interest has been aroused.
SOVIET BLOC
17.
A Cuban ship arrived unannounced in Hong Kong claiming that unforeseen repairs were needed. In accordance with Government policy, the master was called on to reduce his crew strength by 25 percent. The ship's agents appealed against this ruling on the grounds that the ship would be in Hong Kong for only three days.
This was verified and the reduction was waived, four days.
The ship actually sailed after
IMMIGRATION (See also separate assessments attached)
From China
18.
The rate of legal immigration by those without onward visas dropped again, the daily average in June being 167 as compared with 183 in May, But scrutiny of the day to day totals suggests that the decline, which has been going on since February, may have come to an end: the daily average for the second half of the month was in fact slightly up on the first.
19.
As far as illegal immigrants are concerned, June proved to be a dramatic month, though it is too soon to say whether it was a turning point. In the first two weeks, the daily totals of those arrested continued to rise sharply (the highest figure was 940 on 8 June); the middle of the month saw the beginning of a decline, which was almost as rapid as the increase had been.
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