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of which the K.M.T. has established a certain amount of

influence, which is probably capable of considerable

intensification at any given moment.

40 The intention of the K.M. T. is to weld the

Unions under their direct control, and those over which

they have a measure of influence, into a general labour

union which will be organised by the K.M.T. and controlled

through the Triad Societies (the traditional secret societies

of China pursuing political aims).

5. The essential difference between conditions in 1940/41

and those of today is that in 1940/41 there was virtually

no outside political influence to contend with, whereas today

rival Chinese political influences are well established in

Hong Kong (particularly the K. M. T.) and are seeking to extend

their control.

6. The best chance for healthy development Trade

Unionism in Hong Kong lies in combating K.M.T. infiltration.

This means encouraging the growth of the anti-K.M.T. Unions.

The latter do fairly represent the workers in the industries

which they serve, but their leadership is poor and tends to

be concentrated more and more in the hands of a small clique

who are concerned far less with the interests of their

members with their own position in the political set-up

opposed to the K.M. T.

Man

7. The conclusion is that the encouragement and

development of the anti-K. M. T. Unions will be a slow and

lengthy process; it will be at best a long time before Hong Kong

can hope to have a Trade Union movement which will be really

representative of the wishes and interests of the working

classes; and in these circumstances it would be dangerous to

place