OUTWARD TELEGRAM
68
5
54300/46
Code
TO HONG FUNG (Sir M. Young)
FROM S OP S.
CULONTES.
Sent 17th January, 1947, 10:45 hrs ›
No.112 Confidential,
Your despatch No.169 of 8th November.
I agree generally with your proposals for the staffing of the Labour Department,
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2. While I appreciate that at present trade unions in Hong Kong bear little resemblance to Unions in the United Kingdom I feel that there would be considerable advantage in appointing a Trade Union Adviser now since experience elsewhere including Malaya has shown the great value of bringing in Trade Union Advisers at a very early stage. The presence in Hong Kong of an experienced Adviser (who as soon as Trade Union legislation is enacted could stross the legitimate objects or unions and the need for registration) Would I suggest be valuable in this respect as well as in minimising the danger of Unions being utilised by Chinese political parties for their own purposes, in these respects the appointment of a Trade Union Adviser in Malaya has been a conspicuous success.
3. If an officer of really wide experience is required you may consider that this post should be graded second in the Department 1.e. as Deputy Commissioner,
40 I agree that statistical staff should be in a central Government cffico.
5. Please telegraph proposed salaries for all posts recommanded including Trade Union Adviser so that financial aspect may be cleared,