CO129-498-3 Canton boycott- prospects of restoring normal conditions 20-12-1925 - 24-12-1925 — Page 21

I was willing to explain away any misunderstanding which the strikers might be under, through the agency of the Council and not to the strikers direct, I was not prepared

I to concede any point as a condition of a settlement. could merely promise that, when the boycott was finally over the Hongkong Government would sympathetically consider any legitimate grievances that might be put before the Secretary

for Chinese Affairs.

At this juncture I decided to test, as far as

I might, the question whether the Canton Government would bring about a settlement in return for some direct benefit to itself. I pointed out that, if the strikers got a payment but no work, they would be a nuisance both to Canton and to Hongkong. I had no authority whatever from the Governor to make such a proposal, but suppose the Hongkong Government made a loan to the Canton Government for the purpose of completing the Canton Hankow railway, a project desired by both, the labourers could then be employed. Mr. Wu at once m made the point that this would meet the reinstatement difficulty, but it would be some time before they could begin,

The suggestion and so the question of strike pay remained.

however seemed to make a considerable impression on the Council. It was agreed to adjourn till luncheon on the following day, and that in the morning the Council should put what I had said before the Strike Committee.

On the morning of the 22 nd December Mr. Luk King-fo took me for a long walk through the City, and at 1 p.m. we lunched at the office of the Municipality with Mr.

After lunch C.C.Wu, the party comprising the same persons.

Mr. Wong Ching-wai said that they had had a discussion with the Strike Committee which had lasted all morning, and they had practically got no further than the first of the terms. The strikers had a number of grievances under this head.

They