39-33
Proposal for Fascisti Organisation.
458
95. It is interesting to notice that proposals were made to me from no fewer than three separate parties to form an organisa- tion here on the Italian model. The men who advocated this belong mostly to the class of the old Chinese literati, and it is an interesting proof of the growth of a civic interest and self- reliance formerly lacking among the Chinese of this class. Beyond consulting Mr. Chow Shou-son and reporting the pro- posals verbally to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the Assistant Colonial Secretary, I took no action. In fact, I did not give encouragement to the proposal because such a move- ment would not have commended itself to the Home Government, and also because I knew, from the history of this organisation in Italy, that if once it is allowed to get out of hand it becomes a danger to the community. In any case it would be difficult to find men of the necessary type to become leaders of the movement here.
Labour Mutual-Help Society.
3)
96. However, the Chinese should be shown tangible signs of protection in times of unrest and intimidation; and this means maintaining an organisation like the Labour Protection Bureau but in a modified form, even in times of industrial and social peace. With this object in view, General Leung has been work- ing hard during the last two or three weeks to have a "Labour Mutual-Help Society formed, whose objects would be some- what similar to those printed on the registration form of the Bureau (see para. 48), with only this difference, that while the services of the Bureau are given absolutely free, the new Society will require a small entrance-fee and a monthly subscription. It is conceivably impossible for the Bureau to be run on a permanent basis at Government expense, and therefore some such organisa- tion as the one projected seems to be the best alternative.
97. There is nearly as much need for the promotion of a spirit of understanding and sympathy between the guild leaders and the ordinary guild members, as between employers and employees. I have received a very interesting suggestion from Mr. Hon Man-wai on this subject. Mr. Hon is himself the head of the powerful Chinese Engineers' Guild, but he maintains close personal relations with the lower ranks. His suggestion is that there should be a development of night schools for members of the guilds, to be run only by men of proved loyalty and approved qualifications, whose work should be partly voluntary. It is my desire to help towards the realisation of this very worthy object, as soon as normal conditions are restored.
Importance of keeping Pleasure Resorts Open.
98. An soon as confidence had been somewhat restored, the first thing missed by the Chinese of the upper and the lower class seemed to be the Chinese theatre and the tea-house respectively. I had known of the fondness of the Chinese for these pleasure. resorts, but their hankering after them as evinced during the strike, had a force which surprised me. The Government,
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