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inauguration of each sub-union shall be celebrated by an entertainment on the vessel concerned while in Hong Kong harbour. One such entertainment was held on board the 8.8.
!
"Tai Shan" belonging to the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, on Sunday 20th February. I enclose an
Enclo. No. 1. illuminating report on the preparations for this event by
Sir Shouson Chow and would particularly invite your attention to the effect of the British Labour Party's communications with the Nationalists. There were special reasons for the selection of the "Tai Shan" for the first ceremony. Shortly before Chinese New Year the Folice who were keeping a sharp look-out for Strike agitators found in the Crew's quarters of the "Tai Shan" a photograph of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with the usual slogans against imperialism appended. This photograph the officer concerned had removed to Police headquarters, where it was examined by the Captain Superintendent of Police who directed that it should be returned provided the text was detached or obliterated. The crew refused to accept this offer and shortly after, a protest was lodged with His Majesty's Consul-General, Canton, by the Acting Commissioner for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Seamen's Union. After careful consideration with my Executive Council I came to the conclusion that, rather that provoke a strike on such an issue, it would be expedient to overlook in the special circumstances of this case the seditious nature of the text, and I directed that the complete photograph should be returned to the Crew through the Captain of the ship. This the Union regarded as a fresh victory over the Colony and the inaugural celebration of the 20th instant was correspondingly offensive. A further celebration is to take place in the Colony on another vessel of the same
Company
* Nor painted,
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