CO537-4835 — Page 71

1. An understanding of the nature of the Society Ordinance.

1. The Society Ordinance is promulgated at a time when the Chinese people are about to secure nation-wide victory and when revolutionary waves are gradually rolling over the entire South China. The bar and restrictions on the one hand aim at K.M.T. Secret Service elements and underworld organisations to prevent them from utilising popular senti- ments to cause disturbances to peace and order, but the primary object is to deal a blow to us and our friendly forces and democratic and progressive societies in H.K. The Society Ordinance is used to restrict the expansion of our influence and it is quite possible that open arrests and threats may be conducted to restrain or nullify our effort to use H.K. as a primary base for supporting the struggle in South China. execution of this political mission will strengthen the imperialistic rule over H.K. thus ensuring the permanent maintenance of bridge head of aggression and enslavement of the H.K. people.

2. The Society Ordinance, therefore, is of an apparent aggressive and provocative nature towards the people, and progressive democratic forces in Hong Kong.

The

It is anti-people, anti-communist, anti-democratic and anti-freedom. It is the unveiling of the fierce and ugly face of its mask of democracy. It is the same reactionary nature with the other recently promulgated laws such as the new Education Ordinance, the anti-strike Act and the attempt to take over labour children schools.

3.

We reckon that the promulgation of such laws is a random act of the imperialists in a stage of fright when facing the grand victory of the Chinese people. The Society Ordinance does not in any way show the strength of the imperialists but on the contrary reveal their weakness. They are alarmed and cannot take things calmly. We must realize that in face of any ene my oppression, there should be no views or acts of fear and shrinking back.

4. However, views or acts of conceit, slackness and negli- gence may also result in inexcusable errors. We should estimate the seriousness of the consequences. Youth organs listed as illegal societies will be banned. The expansion of activities of all progressive agencies will meet great diffi- culties. Under the Society Ordinance, oppression shall increase.

Organisation against oppression and restriction will come to existence and will fight unyieldingly with the support of the people. The struggle shall be skilfully con- ducted so as to overcome all difficulties, drive back the imperialistic onslaught and secure fresh victory.

II. Our Future Measures.

1. We should extensively and resolutely make use of the open and legal tactics and exert our best efforts to struggle for registration, and to preserve our strength and positions. We should oppose those who are seeking for easy gains and leftist deviation of a venturesome nature. At the same time we should guard against over-tendency of abiding by the laws. In the future struggle it should be stressed that under certain

conditions, legitimate demands of the masses should supersede those of the ruling classes. As regards certain illegitimate activities, when an absolute majority of the masses demand action, and under conditions of their support and determina- tion, we should take the initiative and lead such action with boldness.

2.

Henceforth situation will be more complicated, and our