CONFIDENTIAL,
224
J
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 18th March, 1922,
ture 1.
sir,
I have the honour to transmit to you a report
drawn up by Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.B.E., on the recent
atrike in this Colony. This report gives a clear and accurate
account of what occurred and covers the ground so fully that
it is only necessary for me to deal in this despatch with a
few special points and general considerations.
2.
In the first instance I should like to make
clear beyond any doubt the attitude adopted by this Government
in regard to the dispute between the seamen and their
employers. Statements have been freely made in this Colony to
the effect that what is called the owner's "surrender" to the
men was due to strong pressure from this Government.
It is probable that these allegations will be
repeated in England and I wish therefore to state definitely
that there is no foundation for them, So far as the economic
aspects of the question were concerned this Government
adhered to what I conceive to be the only proper policy in
such cases,
complete neutrality accompanied by tenders of its good offices with a view to the settlement by arbitration
of any questions on which the two parties were unable to agree.
Our efforts were confined to preserving law and order and
J
securing the maintenance of essential services.
When the Seamen's Union threatened the good
order of the Colony by intimidating willing workers and trying
E RIGHT HONOURABLE
WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,
8xC..
&c.,
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