HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954
Unrest in China became intense following the establishment of the Republic and the period of struggle among the war-lords. Great numbers of Chinese, mainly from South China, made their way to Hong Kong seeking refuge from turmoil in their homeland, attracted by the security to be found in the Colony. Many of them made permanent homes in Hong Kong and identified themselves with business, for this was the period of commercial expansion in the Colony which became very pronounced during the war of 1914-1918. The work of Mr. R. H. Shewan and Mr. P. H. Holyoak in the promotion of industrial enterprises is well known and Sir Henry Pollock, a leading legal figure, identified himself with the more humanitarian aspects of the community's activities and took the lead in trying to instil a civil spirit in Hong Kong. The need for such a spirit was particularly pronounced
pronounced during the Seamen's Strike of 1922 followed by the more serious General Strike (1925-1926).
At this juncture Sir Cecil Clementi was largely instrumental in arranging for a settlement of the dispute in which the Canton authorities were taking a prominent part. His "good-neighbour" policy brought many benefits to Hong Kong. With the restoration of normalcy increasing numbers of Chinese made their way to Hong Kong, and a period of real commercial expansion followed the settlement.
Interest in the New Territories really began in the 1920's, and the names of Rev. H. R. Wells and Mr. J. P. Braga are identified with the promotion of the first Agricultural Show there, while expansion took place in Kowloon side by side with a big building pro- gramme on the island of Hong Kong.
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