CONFIDENTIAL
My Dear Hawkins,
75%
COLONIAL OFFICE,
The Church House,
Great Smith Street,
London, S. W. 1.
S February, 1950
Considerable attention has been given in the Press here to the importation into the United Kingdom of cheap shirts from Hong Kong. The story started with the "Daily Worker" article of the 21st January, a copy of which I enclose, and was followed up by articles in the "News Chronicle", the "Daily Mail" and "Empire News", pointing out the Empire origin of the cotton yarn. I also enclose a copy of a note about the state of the industry in Hong Kong which was prepared in the Department to meet an anticipated howl about the importation of goods made under Sweated labour conditions, in competition with United Kingdom products. The note however leaves a number of points unanswered and accordingly we should be most grateful for material showing the actual labour conditions, e.g. hours, efficiency, training, wages, the extent to which the industry is organised, and what steps your Labour Department can take, ensure that conditions are as good as possible.
Yours ever,
if any,
to
S. (0.A.Grossmith)
B.C. K. HAWKINS, ESQ.
ESQ., 0.B.E.,
HONG KONG