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being far more interested in the prevention and suppression of communism than in

carrying on the war against Japan. Labour was completely under the control of

the KM. T. and consequently was regimented and directed to conform to the K.M. T.

pattern, This is clearly shown in the labour laws promulgated by the Nationalist

Government, all of which, while apparently encouraging the growth of organised

labour, imposed so many restrictions that it is quite obvious that no development

or expansion will be permitted that does not conform to the policy of the K. M. T.

The Communists, on the other hand, showed great skill in organising the

resistance movement against the Japanese and, furthermore, undoubtedly gave to

those Chinese peasants and workers with whom they came in contact a glimpse of

ideals transcending the narrow and selfish motives of personal gain and family

prosperity which have for centuries been among the limiting factors in China's

development.

Colony

The result was that on the re-occupation of Hong Kong, we found in the

(1) an almost complete absence of the organisations which had been coming

into prominence during 1940 and 1941;

(2) a very strong movement by the K. M. T. to infiltrate and gain control of

any new labour organisation, and

(3) a counter movement sponsored by members of the Chinese Communist Party

to establish organisations which, while not openly Communist in character were united in opposition to the K. M. T.

The K. M. T. were a little slow in starting their programme of labour

organisation in the Colony and in consequence those unions which were organised in the early days of the re-occupation in the docks, utility companies and certain departments of Government, i.e. in those industries which were brought into opera- tion as early as possible, have all been organised under Communist, or rather

under anti-K. M. T. influence.

The

K. M. T. infiltration, on the other hand, is strongest in the associa-

tions which have for their members unskilled labour on the water front.

reason for this is that such labour is largely illiterate and easily banded together by outside influences and is very susceptible to the pressure which can

The KM. T. in fact is following its be put upon it by secret societies.

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traditional method of making use of the Triad societies and ensuring that heads of these societies shall be among the executive members of the waterfront

labour guilds.

In addition to these two clearly defined groups of unions there are