CO129-499-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 12-2-1927 - 10-3-1927 — Page 27

Enclosure No. 3..

27

Translation.

First report on (Labour) Conference at Canton.

92 Labour Associations in Hong Kong accepted the

recent invitation of the Strike Commission at Canton, and

the representatives they sent, numbered about 300. The Conference was originally intended in order that definite arrangements might be made to provoke another strike in the Colony. But suddenly 2 leading officers of the Provincial

Government raised an objection, and the various Labour

Associations in the Colony also showed a change in their

attitude. Only one-third of those present (in the

Conference) approved of the suggested strike, and therefore

the motion was not carried.

At 1.30 p.m. on the 10th a secret meeting was held

at which it was resolved that a General Labour Union should

be established in Hong Kong under the direct control of

Canton. (They desire to shift to Hong Kong the present All Hong Kong Labour Union in Canton). 9 Labour Associations

in Hong Kong were also appointed by election to be respons-

ible for the establishment of the General Labour Union.

They are the Seamen's Union, the Foreign Employees'

Association, the Tea House Workmen's Association, the Beef and Mutton Workmen's Association, the Chi Ping Workmen's Association (i.e. Pork Butchers), the Hair Dressers'

Association, the Coal Coolies' Association, and the Tung King Scaffolders' Association (The 9th one is not yet known and enquiry is being made). This invitation of the Hong Kong Representatives to Canton is intended to prepare the ground for the recovery of Hong Kong. The slogans used

were "To take back Hong Kong", and "Down with Imperialism"

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and so forth. Among those who made the most violent speech- es, were Fung King (President of the Scaffolding Workmen's

Association)