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rest, Hong Kong is hardly yet sufficiently industrialised,
and conditions are not yet sufficiently favourable, for
the institution, even with official support, of
satisfactorily conducted unions on the English Model.
In so far as the societies which now exist
function as friendly societies providing assistance in
case of death, sickness or unemployment they serve a
useful purpose and may in due time provide the foundation
for organisations which may help to raise the standard of
living for their members. This has not normally been
the case hitherto, and it will not be the case until the
unions are controlled by men with a better standard of
education and a higher sense of duty, and until the name
"Labour Union" ceases to be associated with the
traditions of political intrigue, blackmail and organised
crime which it has inherited from the societies from which
it originated.
Appendix II is a translation of the rules and
regulations of a typical Labour Union.
Appendix III is a resume of a list of societies compiled by the Police Department early in 1938.
Signed: R.A.C.North. Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
15.8.38.