COPY.
No.D.612/200/13.
Sir,
13
Enclosure No.2.
BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DU TRAVAIL
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE,
GENEVE.
19th September, 1929.
I should have liked to have met you during my
recent visit to the Far East, but circumstances allowed me
only a few hours in Hong Kong, and I was unfortunately unable
to ask you for an interview.
Recently, however, Miss Ho Tung was in Geneva,
and I learnt that you were well acquainted with a somewhat
delicate problem which is occupying my attention at present.
I am therefore taking the liberty of asking you quite
informally for any information which you feel able to give
me, and which might enlighten me if, as is possible, the
question is raised at the International Maritime Labour
Conference which opens on 10 October next.
During my stay in China, the representatives of
the Chinese Seamen's Union told me of their disappointment
at not having obtained so far the sum of 300,000 Chinese
dollars, which, they stated, had been provided for as an
unemployment indemnity in the agreement which terminated
the strike of Chinese seamen in Hong Kong in March 1922,
and the payment of which you are stated to have been good
enough to guarantee.
This alleged grievance was brought to my notice
unofficially at the Twelfth Session of the International
Sir Robert Ho Tung,
C/o. Mr. S.C. Sun,
Messrs. Sang Keen,
4a. Des Voeux Road,
HONG KONG.