CO129-498-3 Canton boycott- prospects of restoring normal conditions 20-12-1925 - 24-12-1925 — Page 11

120

the expression of an intense conviction on the part of the masses that China was not getting fair play.

The terms put forward by the strikers

were discussed in some detail. Mr. Sung admitted that they had never been formally recognised or supported by his Government and he thought that the strikers

had no intention of insisting upon any of the points

e

affecting the British sovreignty in Hongkong. He wished, however to point out in a friendly way that there was a real feeling among the working classes that the two Chinese members of Council represented merely a small minority of the wealthy merchants, while the labourers had no means of making themselves heard. The ordinary channel of the Secretary for Chinese Affair's Office was not sufficient. He suggested that the appointment of a labour member by the Governor would do much to strengthen the Government's position vis-à-vis labour.

ita to

There were only two matters which stood

--

the re-instatement

definitely in the way of a settlement of strikers and the grant of strike pay. The question of re-instatement admittedly bristled with difficulties, and it might be got over by extra payment. The labourers looked at the matter from the following point of view:- They came out from patriotic motives. They gave up everything, and it was impossible that they should now be left in the lurch. Under strike conditions they were fed and housed and clothed and they had a little money. But if the strike ceased, they would be destitute. The

merchants, it was true, had suffered heavy losses, but

these losses did not amount to destitution and it was

fair that the merchants should bear their full share

36

in the