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if we paid them for the two days they had been on strike. immediately got in touch with the Labour Officer and the Special Branch of the Police and rounded up all the so-called Guild representatives for questioning. Three members of the Special Branch arrived at the Dockyard in the afternoon, and their cross examining was apparently effective as we had a full turn-out of riveters a quarter of an hour before starting time on Saturday morning.
We are convinced that there is outside influence at work behind the Riveters Guild. The Labour Officer advised us to recognise this Guild, but it is quite obvious that the so-called Chairman, Wong Kin Shan, who is an ironworker in the Dockyard, is only a figure-head and has no control over the men. Our dealings with him have been most unsatisfactory and the Special Branch agree that he is merely being used by someone else. We have told both the Labour Officer and the Special Branch that in our opinion the man, Tang King Chiu, professional Guild leader from Canton, is the real head of this Guild and that he is a paid labour agitator. If the Special Branch follow up their investigations by looking for Tang & Co. we feel that labour uneasiness in the Dockyard will disappear.
On 21st April a notice was posted in Kowloon Dock by the Chinese Communistic Federation telling the workers that the dock company have made a profit of more than 1,000,000 and the workmen have received only a 20% increase, and they called upon the workers to be up and doing and demand a 50% increase. It also warned the workmen against the betrayal of the labour guild officials.
In summing up the labour situation we can say that the men are working very well. The cost of living has risen very considerably, and with the present rush of work the men naturally think that this is a very suitable time to demand higher wages. The Dockyard workmen are making good money and must be receiving a great deal more than other workmen in Hong Kong, and we believe that 20% is a very fair increase. We have, however, to guard against outside influences getting
to work on the men.
For the TAIKOO DOCKYARD & ENGINEERING
COMPANY OF HONG KONG LIMITED.
HONG KONG, 16th May 1941.
(Sgd).
Manager.