CO885-11 — Page 214

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mmmmmm.C.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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of that force at the caprice of the victors and I strongly suspect that it is the intention of the Union to use these social rooms as a substitute for their shore offices here, i.e., as centres for intrigue against the peace and good order of the Colony. Instructions will be given to the police to keep a close watch for any abuse in this direction of the facilities granted by the Company, but it is clearly impossible to maintain an effective watch at all times.

5. I enclose an account,* furnished by Reuter's local agent, of the desecration by labour hooligans of the British cemetery at Pakhoi, together with certain photographs. † It is outbreaks like this, rather than the bombast of Nationalist officials, which give a true picture of the enlightenment and modernity of present-day China.

the

I also enclose the following translations* from the vernacular press:-

(a) From the Wa Kin Yat Po, Hong Kong, of the 23rd May, reporting a speech on Communism and the Russian menace by General Li Lit-kwan. General Li is a Kuangsi man and a follower of Sun Yat-sen from the first. He was Sun's Chief of Staff in his last campaign against Ch'an Kwing-ming and followed him on his journey to Peking. After Sun's death General Li was for a time military adviser to General Feng Yu-hsiang and, on that Com- mander's defeat by Marshal Chang Tso-lin, he fled to Shanghai. He is now prominent again in Kuomintang circles, being a member of the Military Council at Nanking.

(b) From the Kwok Man San Man, Canton, of the 11th May, containing a manifesto to the peasants by the Political department of the Central Military Academy on the subject of "party purifica- tion and the true tenets of the Kuomintang as distinct from Communism.

7. Chinese characters* for the names in this despatch are attached.

SIR,

I have, etc.,

ENCLOSURE IN No. 21.

C. CLEMENTI,

Governor, &c.

The Hong Kong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co., Limited.

Hong Kong, 8th August, 1927.

I beg to enclose, for your information, copy of the Agreement which was duly accepted and signed on Saturday last by representatives of the Chinese Seamen's Union and the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, Limited. I may add that the pickets were removed from outside of Company's wharves in Canton immediately the Agreement had been signed.

I have, etc.,

Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary,

Hong Kong.

*Not printed.

G. E. ELLAMS,

Acting Secretary.

† Not reproduced.

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An agreement made this Sixth day of August, 1927, between the Hong Kong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Company, Limited, whose Registered Office is situate at Victoria in the Colony of Hong Kong (hereinafter called "the Company ") of the one part, and The Chinese Seamen's Union (Chinese characters) of Canton in the Republic of China (hereinafter called "the Guild ") of the other part, whereas mis- understands and questions of difference have arisen between the parties hereto in the past, but it has now been agreed to enter into this Contract for the purpose of arriving at a just and equitable settle ment and providing for the harmonious working of the Company's a basis for steamers in the future, also with the object of providing

the future which it is hoped will operate for the mutual benefit of both parties and lay the foundation for a better understanding on both sides; now it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:-

1. The terms hereof shall apply to all steamers plying between Hong Kong, Canton and Macao from time to time controlled by the Company and whether the same or any of them are farmed out either in whole or in part, and shall not apply to hull charters out by the Company.

2. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until one of the parties hereto shall give to the other six calendar months' notice in writing terminating the same.

3. [Subject to clause Four hereof The Company will employ only seamen supplied by the Guild. The seamen shall be supplied on the written application of the Company and the Guild undertakes that the seamen supplied shall be properly trained and qualified for the positions which they will be called upon to fulfill. The Company will as far as possible give to the Guild seven days' notice of their require- ments from time to time. Should the seamen supplied in pursuance of this clause prove to be unfitted for the purpose for which they have been supplied by the Guild, then, on written notice to the Guild, the Guild will after investigation replace such seamen by others properly trained and qualified. The Guild undertakes that the seamen supplied will not only perform their duties faithfully and properly but will also use their best endeavours to further the interests of the Company. 14. Such of the seamen as are in the present employ of the Com- pany shall be permitted to remain on the service of the Company, but no other seamen shall be taken into the employ of the Company save in The seamen accordance with the provision of clause three hereof. referred to in this clause shall be in no way interfered with by the Guild or the members of the Guild.]

4 [5.] The Company will provide on each ship a social room for the use of the seamen. The social room shall be used for meetings of members of the crew for the Guilds and domestic affairs recreation and social purposes only [and the same shall under no circumstances be used for political objects, purposes or discussions]"or* used in any

* There is some obscurity in the actual wording of the copy of this document at this point. (Colonial Office note.)

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