K 15
SPECIAL BRANCH.
73. Communist activity in the Colony during the year was directed almost entirely against Japanese imperialism and no activities of an anti-British nature were observed. After the outbreak of Sino-Japanese hostilities in August, 1937, this anti-Japanese movement became even more marked and a united front to resist Japan was formed between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang. As in former years a considerable quantity of Communist and anti-Japanese literature was received through the post.
74. Towards the end of the year a number of organisations sprang up in the Colony designed to check the activities of Chinese "traitors", to boycott Japanese goods, and to collect war relief funds. There was also a noticeable increase of activity by labour groups in the Colony. These activities were the outcome of the Sino-Japanese hostilities and no serious demonstration or disturbances were caused.
Immigration and Passport Office.
75. During the year 1937, there were 114 persons of various nationalities, other than Chinese, put before the Courts for the following offences:-
Passports 61 Stowaways 17 Vagrancy 36The number of destitutes dealt with during the year was 52.
Registration of Persons Office.
76. During the year, 7,235 persons registered with this office, 19 registered persons died and 5,605 left the Colony. 14 aliens acquired British naturalisation. There were 58 convictions for breaches of the Ordinance. On 31st December, 1937, there were 6,444 registered aliens in the Colony. The increase of registrations compared with 1936 was due to the large number of refugees from Shanghai and other parts of China, who came to Hong Kong to escape the Sino-Japanese hostilities.