A
re-engage such labour up to the complement required for work in view. But beyond that, apart from the impossibility of putting compulsion on individual employers, it would not be practicable to procure re-instatement of "Strikers" in their original posts. Mr. Sung, however, pressed strongly the point that reinstatement must be facilitated by dismissal of "blacklegs.
11 He further stated very definitely that no settlement could be hoped for without the payment of strike pay but would not hazard any guess as to the amount involved. Mr. Sung also intimated his concurrence in the view that the "Strike" and Boycott is injuring Kuang-tung, if not as much as Hongkong, at least to a very serious extent. He pointed out that the Province is now unified and in the process of reorganisation under a central authority backed by adequate military force. Already, he said, reviving prosperity was shewn by an increase in the provincial revenue from a little over a million dollars to over four million a month. A campaign for the suppression of piracy was now being formulated and with a strong and clear administration controlling a peaceful and orderly province, the possibilities of development were boundless -- a development in which Hongkong would receive a liberal share. His Excellency assented most cordially in this forecast.
(NOTE: The 1922 Strike Compensation question was
mentioned at this interview).
(sd) D..TRATMAN.
26
21. X11. 25