position as viewed by the Canton Government.
91
After some argument Mr. Sung admitted that he personally could see no reason why both sets of officials should not be part and parcel of their respective delegations.
As to terms it was made clear that the strikers are still working on their"demands"
presented to the
unofficial delegation. Mr. Sung mentioned: (a) inequality of treatment, freedom of meeting and speech; (b) flogging; (c) deportation; (d) closing of Unions; (e) representation.
As to (a) it was stated that the Hongkong Government had for some time past been considering the abolition of the obsolete "Regulations of Chinese Ordinance" of 1888. Such provisions of this Ordinance as it might be necessary to retain would be made applicable to all without distinction of race. The Peak Reservation was also mentioned and the reasons therefor ex lained. It was pointed out that the Chinese Community could have its own Hill Reservation if it so desired and that the Chinese Representatives on the Legislature had agreed to the existing Rule. As to (b) and (c) it was made clear that these referred to the Emergency Regulations, which would lapse as soon as normal conditions were restored. Mr. Sung was informed that it had not act- ually been found necessary to carry into effect the rule for the flogging of criminal intimidators. At the same time it was pointed out that flogging for certain crimes of violence is part of the Law of England and would remain part of the Colonial Law while that was so.
As to (d) it was shown that this demand was based on a complete misunderstanding of the facts. No
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