CO885-11 — Page 46

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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Then a

for their benefit with some supplementary remarks. member of the Labourer's Union spoke at length to the effect: --

That for the sake of the Chinese in Hongkong they were willing for an early settlement. They would not dream of returning to Hongkong until all their demands had been settled. As the strike was never directed against the Chinese, it was unthinkable for the strikers to negotiate with repre- money sentatives of Chinese merchants; they wanted no from the Chinese; the Hongkong delegates must appoint delegates to discuss all the terms with them. As the strike was not for economic but purely political reasons, it was impossible for them to discuss the so-called economic terms with the Hongkong merchants, and he invited the Hongkong merchants to assist them to attain their objects.

A few other speakers spoke in the same strain. Mr. Choy Siu Woon and I both spoke in explanation, to the effect that we understood the strikers were willing to separate the terms into Chinese two classes, and that it was because of that it was felt by the Chinese in Hongkong that that being the position a delegation without the necessity of any interpreter could best and most speedily negotiate the economic terms, and so we con- I said irrespective of success or failure of sented to come up. our mission I welcomed the opportunity of meeting them and of renewing old acquaintances, reminding them of the profes- sional services which I had rendered to some of them in the past and expressing the hope that merchants and labourers would co-operate and discuss any question that might arise in the interest of both in the future.

Altogether about six strikers made speeches including Mr. So Siu Ching, who made a long speech towards the end. They all expressed appreciation of our motives for coming up and sincere thanks for our trouble, and a few of them spoke highly of the services I had rendered them in the past and of their gratitude, and all hoped that we would assist one another in the future. But it became manifest that they would not negotiate with us unless we were Hongkong delegates with full power and appointed by the Hongkong Government. One of them, Mr. Wong Ping. said that as regards the amount of strike pay, the strikers were looking into the figures, which would not be available for a few days, but he thought he could easily work out that sum because we were familiar with Hongkong conditions and knew roughly what were the average wages of the labourers. The strike pay would be an amount representing the wages of all strikers who He said that as regards re- struck for the period of the strike. instatement there was no question about that. Could Hongkong raise that sum?

Towards the close of the meal the whole feeling of the party was very cordial and Mr. So Siu Ching and all the others ex- horted us to impress, with all emphasis at our command, upon the Hongkong delegates" that they (the strikers) were sincerely desirous of an early settlement and would welcome meeting them as soon as possible, and that they (the Hongkong delegates) should never have any fear of whatever nature as They thoroughly agreed with regards coming up to meet then.

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our suggestion that under the circumstances we had better return to Hongkong as soon as possible to report on the views the strikers had expressed.

In the course of the various speeches it was made abundantly clear that when the Hongkong plenipotentiaries came up, the strikers were prepared to discuss the terms together as a whole, or separating the political from the economic; they were also pre pared to discuss the economic terms only leaving the other terms to be discussed between the two Governments or the delegates But unless the Hongkong dele. and the Canton Government. gates were plenipotentiaries appointed by the Hongkong Govern- meht, or had full power and authority to speak, for and bind Hong- kong, they would not negotiate.

2nd January, 1926.

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Lung Messrs. Li Yau Chuen, Ma Tsui Chiu, Kong Ye Suen, Li Yiu Tong and I are returning to Hongkong by the s.s.. Shan." Mr. Choy Siu Woon will return to-morrow, whilst Mr. Tse Shu Tong is returning to-day with the Fraternity Party by another steamer.

"

We were seen off, by a representative of the General Chamber of Commerce and by a representative of the Strikers' Union, who

'Lung Shan." accompanied us to the s.s.

Dated this 2nd day of January, 1926,

M. K. Lo.

This Report has been interpreted word for word to us, the undersigned, and we desire to associate ourselves with this Report We further agree with all the and adopt the same as our own. observations contained in the covering letter.

We desire this Report to be considered as being strictly private and confidential, except that the Honourable Mr. Chow Shou-son and the Honourable Mr. R. H. Kotewall can, of course, forward the same to the Honourable the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and any other officials of the Hongkong Government as they see fit.

We beg further to report that Mr. Choy Siu Woon asks leave On account of the sudden- to return to Hongkong to-morrow. ness of our departure we had to leave Canton without returning thanks for all the hospitality we received and without bidding good-bye. Mr. Choy will attend to all necessary communications on our behalf in that regard.

Dated this 2nd day of January, 1926.

LI YAU CHUEN,

MA TSUI CHIU. KONG YE SUEN. LI YIU TONG.

G