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political.
· 5 -
The communistic element is there, although kept in
the background for the moment. For the time being it is to be
in the main an organization for the prosecution of the war against
Japan by the collection of funds, the provision of recruits and by
incitement to boycott.
(5)
(3) It has acted in almost complete defiance of the
instructions of Government given through the Secretary for Chinese
Affairs. I say "almost" because on one or two occasions the ground has been slightly shifted to give an appearance of compliance. (4) It is receiving monetary support and encouragement from certain sections of the Canton Government and Kuomintang.
It represents the first serious attempt to restore
the situation which existed in Hong Kong between 1920 and the
conclusion of the strike and boycott in 1927. The new Seamen's
Union follows in every particular the pattern of the old one. I am convinced by experience that there can be no dealings with them
on a normal footing and that once they have established themselves
firmly here the reign of terror from which we suffered in previous
years will recur.
The General Labour Union.
The old Union which was proscribed in 1927 was for
It worked for
all purposes the same as the "Strike Committee".
and organised the General Strike and boycott of 1925-1927.
The constitution of the Union now proposed does not
differ in any respect from that of the old one. It will consist
of representatives of all Unions with a Committee which will presumably
be drawn from the Unions which are the prime movers. Most of these
are the same Unions as those which took a lead in the General
Strike and those which are most strongly suspected of racketeering.
In view of the opposition of the Police and of this Department the name of the proposed General Union has been modified
by the inclusion of the words "war relief". That this is little
more than a stalking horse is indicated by a statement made at one