TO (1) HONG KONG
(2) PEKING
Sent 16 May 1967. 19302
(1) No.928
Draft Below
Addressed to Governor Hong Kong
** FLASH to Peking
Repeated for information PRIORITY to:
Polad Singapore Washington
Your telegram No.612.
Peking Statement.
Subject to Ministerial agreement, we accept that a statement
should be issued in London as soon as possible and a copy handed to the
acting Chinese Chargé d'Affaires.
2. We propose the following draft:
Begins.
"The recent disturbances in Kowloon arose from an industrial dispute in
April between workers and their employers about wages and conditions of
employment involving 650 workers in two factories producing artificial
flowers. The injection moulding sections of both factories were closed
and the workers were dismissed. A settlement could not be reached in
negotiations between employers and workers. The Labour Department of the
Hong Kong Government offered its services in an effort to help the
parties to reach agreement, but this offer was refused by both sides.
Disorders broke out on the 6th May outside one of these factories which
was situated in Kowloon. The police intervened to maintain law and order
and, as a result, 21 persons were arrested. Subsequent efforts by the
Labour Department to bring the parties together to discuss their
differences and try to reach an agreed settlement were frustrated by the
outbreak of further disorders on the 11 th May in the vicinity of the
same factory. The police were called in to restore law and order and 60
persons were arrested.
There were more
disorders in the same area until the 14th May. in all have been arrested
and the law requires should be brought before the courts for trial.
persons have been released on bail.
About 400 that they
Meanwhile...
/The
LAST
REF.
39
SECRET
560257
PAW
SECRET
The Hong Kong Government's policy is to make
available the specialist services of its Labour Departmen to give
impartial help to management and trade unions to settle any disputes
which may arise between them. It has already done so on this occasion
and remains ready to continue to do all it can to facilitate a
settlement. In the same way, the Hong Kong Government has an ineacapable
duty to maintain law and order as impartially and as fairly as possible
for the benefit of all in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong police, a number of
whom have been injured in the three days of disturbances, have shown
great restraint in carrying out these responsibilities.
Her Majesty's Government fully support the
Hong Kong Government in fulfilling its duty in maintaining law and order
and in the efforts it is making to bring about a settlement of the
industrial dispute. It is emphasised that the original cause of these
disturbances was a comparatively small industrial dispute which it
should be possible to settle soon if the management and trade unions
concerned would sit down together to discuss it."
Ends.
3. Grateful for your and Peking's urgent comments. Also for number
of persons released on bail for inclusion in statement.
(To Washington only)
1
4. Previous telegrams on this subject will be in tomorrow's bag.
(Passed to D.S.A.0. for transmission to Peking and
repetition to Washington and Singapore)
Distribution
-
H.K. W.I.D. 'C' I.G.D.
J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Copies also sent to:
Cabinet Office Foreign Office
-
-
D.1.0. J.I.R.
Mr. de la Mare
Mr. Bolland
10
H
1#
Mr. Wilson
11
10
Mr. Denson
는
**
Mr. Foggon
SECRET
Cypher
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 16 May 1967
R. 16
TT
15302
INMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No.619
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
tt
Peking No.229
*
tt
POLAD Singapore No.98 ROUTINE (S. of S. please pass to both)
My telegram No.609.
35
Hong Kong
:
54
Indications are that in the immediate future the emphasis of
Left-wing activity will be on the presentation of petitions at
Government House in the most provocative and unruly way possible. Today
petitions were presented by 11 delegations over a continuous period of
six hours and it required the greatest restraint on the part of my ADCs
to prevent trouble. The size of the delegations is growing and we
believe that for example on 18 May 200 delegates will present a petition
from one union.
but I
2. I am accordingly making arrangements to restrict the entry of
petitioners into Government House grounds: am providing reasonable
facilities for the acceptance of petitions at the gate.
30 I doubt however if these arrangements will be effective for long, or
that they can be enforced without disorder. It is probable further
measures will soon have to be taken to keep unruly crowds away from
Government House.
(Passed as requested)
Distribution - H.K. WID 'CL
- I.G.D.
J.I.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
T
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Copies also sent to:-
Cabinet office Foreign Office
-
D.I.O. J.I.R.
Mr. de la Mare
tr
Mr. Bolland
It
11
Mr. Wilson
"
11
Mr. Dens on
11
Mr. Foggon CONFIDENTIAL
IN
No.63
HWAY/D
CYPHER/CAT.".
FROMMEDIATE PEKING
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
55
TELEGRAM NO. 499
17 MAY 1967
ADVANCE 6OPIS
F..
C.R.Q.
P.S.
P.S.
P.U.S.
ZD. AL
M
$2 d. 1. 11- (PID. (M. UK. W. BBC)
.U.S.
DTD Ith Carte).
4. FEBL
SECRET
1
the SEND
Ha North
ADDRESSED TO FO TEL NO 499 OF 17 MAY REPTD FOR INFMN TO HONG KONG.
WE HAVE SEEN ISSUES OF TS'AN KAO HSIAO HSI CA RESTRICTED COLLECTION
OF FOREIGN AND OTHER NEWS REPORTS CIRCULATED DAILY BY NC NA PEKING)
FOR 9 TO 16 MAY.
M
2. ALL GIVE FRONT PAGE COVERAGE TO EVENTS IN HONG KONG UNDER TEND-
ENTIOUS HEADLINES. COVERAGE ON 16 DAY TAKES UP WHOLE OF FRONT PAGE.
MOST REPORTS ARE BASED ON HONG KONG LEFT WING PAPERS BUT REUTERS
AND UP I ARE INCLUDED. ONE ISSUE REPORTS INCIDENTS OUTSIDE CONSUL- ATE
IN MACAO UNDER HEADLINE QUOTE PATRIOTIC COMPATRIOTS IN MAMAO
BREAK INTO (CHUNG CHIN) BRITISH CONSULATE UNQUOTE.
HOPSON
SENT 05322/17`MAY
RECD 0612Z/17 MAY
100
-
воро
:
i
CYPHER CAT A
FLASH KASANAY
PEKING
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
TELNO 494
SECRET
17 MAY 1967
J
P. S.
P.U.S. Fi D. Wha
Me FC High
A sono
Hi Nar
'56'
(Bill)
C. N.O.
P.S.
P.U.S.
DTD (3! (NC)
* fr0530
(10
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TEL NO 494 OF 17 HAY REPTD FOR INFUN TÍ
HONG KONG SINGAPORE AND WASHINGTON.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 928 TO HONG KONG. 53
I HAVE FOLLOWING COMMENT ON DRAFT STATEMEN ́T :-
IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE IF POSSIBYE TO MENTION REASONS FOR ARRESTS
MADE BY THE POLICE, E.G. OFFENCES WITH WHICH THOSE ARRESTED HAVE
BEEN CHARGED.
OTHERWISE THE DRAFT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ME.
FO PASS WASHINGTON CROUTINE) 260.
1
HOPSON
kcf.
รา 57, 59
SENT 0335/172 MAY
RECD 0419/172 MAY
ров
:
1
1
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 17 May 1967 R. 17
08092
FLASH SECRET
No.620
#7 }
(57)
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
11
11
"Peking No.231
"POLAD Singapore No.99
Washington No.115
(Please pass to all)
Your telegram No.928. 53
Peking Statement.
I would prefer to see something more positive in tone. One of my
major anxieties at the present time is to do everything possible to
maintain public morale and confidence, without which our position here
would be untenable.
2. I think therefore that we ought to make it clear:-
(a)
(b)
that we do not accept Peking's charges as a true statement of the facts;
and
that in the light of the true facts of the matter H.M.G. cannot accept
that the 'demands are justified.
If we do not plainly state our attitude towards the 'demanda' Peking are
surely certain to return to the charge.
3. On matters of detail:
LAST
REF.
รา
In view of the traditional Chinese disinterest in the concept of the
'law' I would prefer to avoid the phrase to maintain law and order' in
the first and fourth sentences of the
5869 2nd paragraph, and instead to use 'to preserve
RECEIVED IN | ARCHIVES No. 63
1/1
PAO
(b)
the peace'.
It seems necessary to make the point that both on 6th and 11th May the
police acted only after giving repeated unheeded warnings to the crowds;
(c) In fact, of the 421 arrested up to morning of
17th May, 313 have been committed, 14 have been discharged, 12 have been
acquitted and 82 cases are pending. The figures for those bailed varies
from day to day as cases are heard and it has
/only
SECRET
:
CYPHER CAT A
FLASH PEKING
+
TELNO 494
SECRET
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
17 MAY 1967
F
P.S.
P.U.S.
Hele Jas
(010
He wa
56"
(Boyer)
C. N.Q.
P.S.
P. U.S.
OTD (IL (NG)
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TEL NO 494 OF 17 HAY REPTD FOR INFMN TÁ
HONG KONG SINGAPORE AND WASHINGTON.
# 1 053 cm
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 928 TO HONG KONG. 53
I HAVE FOLLOWING COMMENT ON DRAFT STATEMEN/T
L
IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE IF POSSIBYE TO MENTION REASONS FOR ARRESTS
MADE BY THE POLICE, E.G. OFFENCES WITH WHICH THOSE ARRESTED HAVE
BEEN CHARGED.
OTHERWISE THE DRAFT IS ACCEPTABLE TO ME.
FO PASS WASHINGTON CROUTINE) 260.
1.LAI
kar.
51 57,55
HOPSON
SENT 0335/172 MAY
RECD 0419/172 MAY
Cypher
FLASH
SECRET No.621
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 17 May 1967
R. 17
08282
Addressed to Commonwealth Office Repeated
1t
11
Peking No.232
"POLAD Singapore No.100
Washington No.116
RE.
(S. of S. please pass to all) ARCH
My immediately preceding telegram.
Peking Statement.
Following is suggested redraft.
581
HUB IN
"H.M.G. consider that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
making their statement of May 15 about disturbances in Hong Kong are
misinformed about the actual course of events. The true facts are as
follows:-
2+
reference.
As in first sub-paragraph 2 of your telegram under
3. Disorders broke out on the 6th May outside one of these factories
which was situated in Kowloon. The police clearly informed those
involved of the laws governing peaceful picketing, warned them
repeatedly of the consequences of disorder and urged them to desist.
These warnings went unheeded; and the police were therefore obliged to
act to keep the peace. As a result, 21 persons were arrested. Subsequent
efforts by the Labour Department to bring the parties together to
discuss their difficulties and try to reach an agreed settlement were
frustrated by the outbreak of further disorders on May 11 in the
vicinity of the same factory. Again after repeated warnings the police
were obliged to take action to keep the peace and 143 persons were
arrested. There were more disorders in the same area between 12 and 14
Kay and a further 257 persons were arrested. All cases of arrest are
being treated in the normal way in accordance with the due process of
the law.
40 Throughout the disturbances the Hong Kong police have shown great
restraint in carrying out their responsibilities and have used the
minimum force. A number of them were injured in the three days of
rioting.
5. In labour matters the Hong Kong Government's policy is to make
available the special services of its Labour Department to give
impartial help to management and trade unions to settle any dispute that
may arise between them. already done so on this occasion and remains
ready to do all it can to facilitate a settlement.
раво
SECRET
$7 69
It has
71
SECRET
6. The Hong Kong Government has an inescapable duty to maintain
law and order as impartially and fairly as possible for the benefit of
all in Hong Kong. H.M.G. fully support the Hong Kong Government in
fulfilling its duty both in maintaining law and order and in the efforts
it is making to bring about a settlement of the industrial dispute. It
is emphasised that the original cause of these disturbances is a
comparatively small industrial conflict which it should be possible to
settle soon if the management and trade unions would sit down together
to discuss it in reason and goodwill.
7. In the light of the facts of the situation H.M.G. are unable to
accept that the demands now made by the Chinese Government are
justified."
(Passed as requested)
(Advance copies passed to Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bolland,
Mr. de la Mare)
Distribution
-
H.K. W.I.D. 'C'
- I.G.D.
J.1.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Copies also sent to:
Cabinet Office - D.I.O. J.I.R. Foreign Office
11
11
-
Mr. de la Vare
TI
It
11
tt
-
SECRET
Mr. Bolland
Mr. Wilson
Mr. Denson
Mr. Foggon
Cypher
RESTRICTED
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 17 May, 1967. R. 17 ++
0831Z
59)
FLASH RESTRICTED
No. 623
Addressed to Commonwealth Office
Repeated
tu
門
Peking No. 233,
POLAD Singapore No.101
11 and Washington No.101
(S. of S. please pass to others Routine)
Peking telegram No. 494.5b
Hong Kong Disturbances.
Offences with which accused have been charged
are as follows:
Riot: 128
Unlawful assembly:
Breaking curfew: 91
100
Other miscellaneous offences (e.g. assault,
common assault and affray): 88
Released without charge: 14.
(Passed as requested)
(Advance copies to Mesers. Wilson, Bolland, de la Mare)
Distribution: H.K. W.I.D. 'C'
I.G.D.
J.1.C. EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Copies also sent to:-
56
Cabinet Office
Foreign Office
-
0
Π
D.I.O., J.I.R. Mr. de la Mare
Mr. Bolland
Mr. Wilson Mr. Denson - Mr. Foggon
RESTRICTED
HWAY/1)
i
}
Note for Sec. of State.
(60)
UUSID KONG
Recent Disturbanose
A now note of militancy his boon Miscernible in sovoral labour
disputes involving left wing unions that have occurred since the Macmi
ingilonț. A common feature of those disputes hao huon the usually
nainy opɑ truculent behaviour of left-wing elementa (the chanting of
quotations from the works of Hao Tse-tung, singing of revolutionary
songs
and the brandishing of copies of "quotations from Chairman Neo") and the
prominenos given to them in the Hong Kong loft-ring Prona. Such Press
opwmont line in genoral characterised the notions of thu Hong Kong
mithorities as "suppression of patriotic workera and compatriots" aand,
has
referred in open or veiled torns to the parallel of kace.
Disruta in Artificial Flower Pactories,
2. One of these disputes started in April in two factorios under the
gave management promising artificial flowers, ozs in Kowloon and the
other on Hong Kong Inland. It concerned wages and conditions of
employment
and involved node 650 workers, Piraet negotiations between the
munagacent and workers wero inconclusivo. The affected sections of
factories more closed and the murkars were dismissed. The Labour
Department offered ito sorvioso, but was rebuffed by both sidon,
3. On the 6th Hey thore wore disorders outside the lowloon factory
when about 60 pickets obstructed the loading and departure of lorries
with finished products. The Folica intervened and in all 21 errenta
were made arising out of those incidenta.
4. The Union involved formulated on the 8th May the following dananda
which were prominently featured in the left-wing proes:-
(a) Immediate reloads of workers arrosted.
(b) lunishment of evil-foera and compensation for those injured,
(0) guntantoo of the workers' personal safety
(a) no interference bonosforth by the police in 1-bour disputes.
5.
The Chairman of the F.T.U. left the Colony for Chius on the
7th May, undoubtedly to make a full report and seek further
instruction from the authorities thoro. His ruturned on the 9th.
During his absence the Y.T.U. set about mobilising support for the
union involved in the disputo.
6. Meanwhile comment in the left-wing proou became increasingly
violent and unrestrained. There was a personal attack on the
Governor. Allogėtions of police brutality ware accompanied by
threats to Chinese police and prison officers that ond day thay
would have to pay for "the blood doht they owe to compatriots".
Disturbances of 11th-13th Ray,
7. In the afternoon of the 11th Hay, orowd of some 1,500 12
refused to disperas demonstrated
outside the Kowloon factory, become disorderly,/und
stoned the polico. The police intervened and 60 arrenta were madne
Esanller incidents occurred in the evening end a curfew was imposed
oovoring the disturbod area of North-Enat Kowloon,
B. Similar incidents occurred in the same prea on the 12th and
13th May and curfew was reimposed on these nights, Sinom the 14th
Hay only very minor insidants have occurred, With one or two guita
minor oxcoptions all the disturbances have beon confined to a smal
ares in N.E.Kowloon.
One man,
9. In ell, somo 1,00 arrosta were made. - Thero aro 54 known
casualties (înjured), of which 22 aro police officers.
found injured on a first floor balcony of ́a rosettiosont block of
flats, has died; it is believed he was struck by a stone.
Faking fitatozent
10. On the 15th May, our Chargé d'Affaires in Faking was mummoned
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hended a statement that was
/simultaneously
I
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+