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PIA
the leading Europeans, but also of prominent Chinese
residents, did not allow it to re-open in the Colony.
Then there was the Seamen's Union. This Union had given
the Hong Kong Government very great trouble for many years. There was not a single labour trouble in recent
years, with which this Union was not mixed up. They were
behind every strike. Because of this danger, the Govern-
ment had it closed. The Government, however, is not
opposed to friendly societies, conducted as such.
1R. FUNG says that after the Hong Kong strikers in Canton have
been disposed of, General Li and he will apply themselves
to the tasks of improving communications in the Frovince,
of promoting trade between Hong kong and Canton, and of
ridding the Province of brigands and pirates.
HIS EXCELLENCY says that as regards the question of improving
communications, he thinks that it will not be a difficult
matter to improve sea-borne trade one piracy is eradicated.
But there is the question of communications between Hong
Kong and Canton by land. He refers to the Kowloon-Canton
Railway. This railway can, in his opinion, be consider-
ably improved. At present there is practically no sound
rolling-stock on the Chinese section; locomotives belong-
ing to the Hong Kong section are being used to haul through
traffic; and sleepers are rotting. He suggests that the Canton Government should spend some money on improving
their own section. The Chinese train has not been running
according to schedule: very often a train is about three
hours late. People will not use the railway under such
conditions. He is sure that, with the improvements effected,
traffic will increase considerably on both sections.
His Excellency further states that when the Kowloon-
Canton Railway was first opened, Mr. Liang Shih-yi and he
were present at the opening ceremony, and they had lunch
together at Shumchun. At that time many of those who were