CO129-501-1 Chinese situation- Canton strike- boycott and trade situation 6-1-1927 - 13-5-1927 — Page 27

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TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hongkong to the

Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Dated 16th February.

(Received Colonial Office 11.9 a.m. 16th February,'27.)

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My telegram of 10th February Trade situation

general lack of confidence continues to restrict new

orders for piece goods. Chinese merchants in Canton

and Swatow appear to have secured some support from

local nationalist authorities for resistance to

dictation of the Labour Unions in the matter of Staff

but it would be premature to assume that any real

industrial peace and revival of confidence can be looked

for. Imports of wood oil from South China have

increased owing to the closure of the Hankow market.

Unnumbered telegram of the 16th.

THE CANTON STRIKE.

PICKETS DISPERSED BY POLICE.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

HONG-KONG, FEB. 17.

Twelve companies of armed police at Canton to-day dispersed the pickets who have been blockading 812 shops lin resentment of. the cus- tomary New Year dismissals by the merchants]. The flags of the pickets were destroyed and their placards torn down. Little resistance was offered, the recalcitrants being promptly arrested. The merchants celebrated the occasion by a motor-car parade, firing millions crackers.

of

Sun Fo Ison of Sun Yat-sen] has circu- larized the Nationalist provinces announc- ing the establishment of a Postal Depart- ment [separate from that which up to now has served the whole of China]. Only commissioners appointed by the Nationa- lists will be recognized.

RECEIVED

17 FEB 1927

OOL. OFFICE

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