CO129-499-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 18-3-1927 - 22-4-1927 — Page 118

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3.

(3) Not more than two funeral poems are allowed and

the se must be censored.

(4) The speech of the Chairman on opening the

Conference must be first censored.

(5) No theatrical performances shall be held at night. (6) All funeral scrolls must be sent to the Secretary

for Chinese Affairs for censorship before they are

hung up.

(7) The Demonstration must be not last longer than the

time allowed. All shall quit the place immediately

after the Demonstration.

In case of any breach of the above regulations,

the representatives would be held responsible. The

Secretary for Chinese Affairs read the conditions to

them in a grave tone. Then our repre sentatives were

driven out and not allowed to say another word.

119

On the same evening the organising Committee

immediately convened an urgent meeting to discuss this

matter. The representatives then made a report in detail

of the interview they had with the Secretary for Chinese

Affairs, and the meeting was very indignant, all agreeing

that such a set of restrictions was hitherto unheard of.

They then immediately resolved to hold the Demonstration at 12 noon on the following day in the Lee Gardens and

take no heed of these unreasonable regulations.

On the 12th March all shops, schools and

associations in Hong Kong hoisted their flags at half-mast (the Blue Sky and White Sun on a Read Ground) in token of their grief. They day was observed as a holiday by the Lai Wah Co., Chiu Ping Co., all dealers in roast meats,

and all shops in the Wing On Street.

Proper arrangements were duly made at the meeting place on the morning of the day appointed. The stage at

the