4.
The first modern development of a Chinese
Trade's Union in this Colony was the
Association
formed in
Engineering
1908.
It was the prognostication that it would give
trouble coupled with the formation some time previously
of two district societies. the Sze Yap and the Pun Yue
(the latter is the Metropolitan District of the Canton
Province), which warned Mr.Brewin of coming danger and
induced him to recommend in June 1910 that legislation
should be passed for the registration of all Clubs and
Societies in Hongkong. In making his recommendation
Mr.Brewin remarked that " the leading spirit of the
Sze Yap Association is a gentleman whose actions will
require watching. His views are such that they may
lead him ultimately to commit or condone the commission
of some imprudence or folly which would result in
He went on
a faction fight, riot or assassination."
to say that he had consulted the District Watchmen's
Committee in the matter and that the representatives
of the merchant class were strongly in favour of the proposed legislation which was also advocated by the
He added that Chinese Members of Legislative Council.
the senior Chinese Member had warned him that the danger likely to arise froma multiplication of District Societies in Hongkong was more serious than any likely to arise from the formation of Triad Lodges.
I took the matter up and in the result Ordinance
No.47 of 1911 was passed.
The first President of the Sze Yap Association was Li Yuk-tong, the moving spirit referred to by Mr. Browin. The members of the Association are traders and artisans of the Sun Wai, Sun Ning, Hoi Ping and Yan Ping
districte
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