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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TREENIC.O. 882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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inasmuch as the so-called "strike" had its origin entirely out- side the Colony, he was at a loss for any suggestions for its cessation. After some further fencing Mr. Sung put forward his views. He maintained the attitude that the quarrel lay between Chinese labour ("The Strikers") and the Hongkong Government (not Hongkong as a community), and he made it clear that the Canton Government could not and would not use force to compel "The Strikers" to abandon their policy of boy- cott and non-co-operation. On the same grounds he held to the view, already expressed by the Canton Government, that the Canton officials could only act as "mediators" in the proposed conference, while the Hongkong officials should be plenipotentiary negotiators. Mr. Sung added the adjective responsible before mediators," but it was not clear that this made any material change in the general position as viewed by the Canton Government. After some argument Mr. Sung admitted that he personally could see no reason why both sets of officials should not be part and parcel of their respective delegations.
As to terms it was made clear that the strikers are still working on their "demands " presented to the unofficial delegation. Mr. Sung mentioned: (a) inequality of treatment, freedom of meet- ing and speech; (b) flogging; (c) deportation; (d) closing of Unions; (e) representation.
As to (a) it was stated that the Hongkong Government had for some time past been considering the abolition of the obsolete Regulations of Chinese Ordinance" of 1888. Such provisions of this Ordinance as it might be necessary to retain would be made applicable to all without distinction of race. The Peak Reservation was also mentioned and the reasons therefore ex- plained. It was pointed out that the Chinese community could have its own Hill Reservation if it so desired and that the Chinese representatives on the Legislature had agreed to the existing rule. As to (b) and (c) it was made clear that these referred to the Emergency Regulations, which would lapse as soon as normal conditions were restored. Mr. Sung was informed that it had not actually been found necessary to carry into effect the rula. for the flogging of criminal intimidators. At the same time it was pointed out that flogging for certain crimes of violence is part of the law of England and would remain part of the Colonial law while that was so.
As to (d), it was shown that this demand was based on a complete misunderstanding of the facts. No Unions had been closed, though some night have been evicted by landlords for default of payment of rent. As to (c), the Colonial Secretary gave the history of the Constitutional Reform movement in the Colony and explained that it had been resisted by the Chinese representatives. His Excellency added that a demand for more representation could not with propriety come from any but the Chinese in the Colony. If in due course such a request were prepared, he assured Mr. Sung that it would receive his most careful and sympathetic consideration.
Mr. Sung next dealt with the economic terms, namely, ( strike pay, and (g) reinstatement, As to (), His Excellency again pointed out that the "strike" had no foundation in the economic position of labour in the Colony and he was therefore
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unable to see how he could make any recommendation to em- ployers regarding payment of wages for services not only not rendered but withdrawn for no fault of the employers. As to (g), His Excellency expressed his firm belief that the removal of the boycott and all that that term implied would lead to such a revival of industry that there would be no difficulty in re-ab- sorbing all the labour now withheld or withholding itself from the Colony. The Colonial Secretary pointed out the difficulties of direct reinstatement. Labour was in any case very largely shifting and transient and many industries had been greatly re- duced and not a few extinguished owing to the rupture of normal communications and life. Employers of skilled labour, such as H.M. Naval Yard, would be ready to re-engage such But labour up to the complement required for work in view. beyond that, apart from the impossibility of putting compulsion on individual employers, it would not be practicable to procure reinstatement of" strikers" in their original posts. Mr. Sung, however, pressed strongly the point that reinstatement must be tacilitated by dismissal of " blacklegs." He further stated very definitely that no settlement could be hoped for without the pay- ment of strike pay but would not hazard any guess as to the amount involved. Mr. Sung also intimated his concurrence in the view that the strike" and boycott is injuring Kuang-tung, if not as much as Hongkong, at least to a very serious extent. He pointed out that the province is now unified and in the process of reorganisation under a central authority backed by adequate military force. Already. he said, reviving prosperity was shown by an increase in the provincial revenue from a little over a million dollars to over four million a month. A campaign for the suppression of piracy was now being formulated, and with a strong and clear administration controlling a peaceful and orderly province, the possibilities of development were boundless a liberal -a development in which Hongkong would receive share. His Excellency assented most cordially in this forecast.
(NOTE. The 1922 strike compensation question was mentioned at this interview.)
D. W. TRATMAN. December 21st, 1925.
C2082/26S.
No. 3.
The Governor of Hongkong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received 25th January, 1926.)
Secret.
SIR,
Government House, Hongkong, 24th December, 1925.
In continuation of my secret despatch of yesterday, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher returned last night from his mission to Canton and I enclose a copy of the very interesting report which he has made to me.
2. You will observe from this report that the present nominal Government at Canton regards itself as a Labour Government
• No. 2.