13.
K 12
Union, a newly created Labour Union, declared a strike of all Cantonese employed on both Ocean-going and River steamers calling at Hongkong, in consequence of the refusal of the respective owners to meet their demands for:
(a) Increases of pay.
(b) Recognition of Union and other similar demands.
The strike dragged on for some time owing to the impossibility of ascertaining who the responsible representatives of the Union were, as the Union's chief representatives left for Canton with the bulk of the strikers. On February 1st the Seamen's Union was declared an unlawful Society and was closed by the Police in consequence of intimidation, which led to the Stevedores and cargo coolies declaring a sympathetic strike. Efforts to settle the strike were made by various public bodies without success until on the 28th of February all the bakers, butchers and eventually the domestic servants went out on strike in sympathy with the Seamen, thus seriously interfering with the Colony's food supplies. A Proclamation was thereupon issued by the Governor in Council prohibiting the departure of any Chinese from the Colony unless provided with the necessary permit to leave. In consequence of this order and the impossibility of leaving the Colony by water or by rail a large number of strikers, chiefly domestic servants and cooks determined to force their way over the border by taking the main road to Sham Chun via Tai Po. They started early on the 3rd March and came into collision with the Police at the Kowloon water works. They were called upon to stop, but refused and broke through the Police cordon. They were again stopped near the 8th milestone by Police assisted by some troops and on they again refusing to stop and breaking through the Police, they were fired on by the troops. Five persons were killed or died as a result of their injuries, but the crowd then dispersed and returned to Hongkong. At the judicial enquiry which terminated on 21st March, the jury found a verdict of justifiable homicide thereby endorsing the action of the Police and Military authorities. On March 6th the strike was settled and the Seamen's Union was allowed to re-open.
2. Murder of Leung Yuk-tong alias Jack A Tai--During the progress of the strike various persons connected with shipping received threatening letters. Among others Leung Yuk-tong senior partner of the firm of stevedores known as Jack A Tai was threatened and on the 24th February as he was passing in his ricksha from Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's office to his own premises he was shot from behind and instantly killed by a man who ran up to his ricksha and fired at him at point blank range in the vicinity of Queen's Statue Pier. The murderer, one Leung Wo, who was evidently a hired assassin was fortunately caught by some bystanders. He was convicted and hanged after his appeal to the Privy Council had been dismissed. There were no further murders of the kind during the strike but several murders, some successful, in which employers of labour were the victims, were perpetrated during the year. This form of crime appears now to have been checked.
3. Visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. -On April 7th H. R. H. the Prince of Wales visited the Colony and spent
qan
13.
K 12
Union, a newly created Labour Union, declared a strike of all Cantonese employed on both Ocean-going and River steamers calling at Hongkong, in consequence of the refusal of the respective owners to meet their demands for:
(a) Increases of pay.
(b.) Recognition of Union and other similar demands.
The strike dragged on for some time owing to the impossibility of ascertaining who the responsible representatives of the Uniou were, as the Union's chief representatives left for Canton with the bulk of the strikers. On February 1st the Seamen's Union was declared an unlawful Society and was closed by the Police in consequence of intimidation, which led to the Stevedores and cargo coolies declaring a sympathetic strike. Efforts to settle the strike were made by various public bodies without success until on the 28th of February all the bakers, butchers and eventually the domestic servants went out on strike in sympathy with the Seamen, thus seriously interfering with the Colony's food supplies. A Proclamation was thereupon issued by the Governor in Council prohibiting the departure of any Chinese from the Colony unless provided with the necessary permit to leave. In consequence of this order and the impossibility of leaving the Colony by water or by rail a large number of strikers. chiefly domestic servants and cooks determined to force their way over the border by taking the main road to Sham Chun via Tai Po. They started early on the 3rd March and came into collision with the Police at the Kowloon water works. They were called upon to stop, but refused and broke through the Police cordon. They were again stopped near the 8th milestone by Police assisted by some troops and on they again refusing to stop and breaking through the Police, they were fired on by the troops. Five persons were killed or died as a result of their injuries, but the crowd then dispersed and returned to Hongkong. At the judicial enquiry which terminated on 21st March, the jury found a verdict of justifiable homicide thereby endorsing the action of the Police and Military authorities. On March 6th the strike was, settled and the Seamen's Union was allowed to re-open.
2. Murder of Leung Yuk-tong alias Jack A Tai--During the progress of the strike various persons connected with shipping received threatening letters. Among others Leung Yuk-tong senior partner of the firm of stevedores known as Jack A Tai was threatened and on the 24th February as he was passing in his ricksha from Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's office to his own premises he was shot from behind and instantly killed by a man who ran up to his ricksha and fired at him at point blank range in the vicinity of Queen's Statue Pier. The murderer, one Leung Wo, who was evidently a hired assassin was fortunately caught by some bystanders. He was convicted and hanged after his appeal to the Privy Council had been dismissed. There were no further murders of the kind during the strike but several murders, some successful, in which employers of labour were the victims, were perpetrated during the year. This form of crime appears now to have been checked.
3. Visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. -Ou April 7th H. R. H. the Prince of Wales visited the Colony and spent
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