HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
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shaken or undermined. What we want are peace and good order, and the right to follow our callings without let or hindrance.
This Bill is in no way a repressive measure. It will not interfere with the law abiding working men; it does not even make economic strikes illegal, and, further, it does not prohibit sympathetic strikes, as such.
In the event of a wage dispute between employers and employed, the mediation of the Government can be invoked by the two parties to bring about a satisfactory settlement. The efforts of my Chinese colleague and myself can also be counted upon to that end, if desired. We are not unmindful of the legitimate aspirations of the working men to better their conditions of living. But the realisation of such aspirations can only be possible if the Colony enjoys peace and prosperity, if its industrial life pursues a normal course, and if Capital and Labour loyally co-operate for a common purpose. I believe, in all sincerity, that this Bill, more than anything else I can conceive of at the present time, will materially help to bring us these blessings. (Applause.)
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON said-Your Excellency, I rise to support this proposed ordinance because it will contribute to the peace and good order of this Colony. It is one of the principal duties of the Justices of the Peace of this Colony to assist in the preservation of peace and good order and it is, therefore my wish as the repre- sentative of that body to support this proposed legislation.
It is needless for me to point out that Hong Kong is peculiarly situated on the borders of China and that in the heat of political movement it is particularly sensitive to political emotion. It is essential, your Excellency, in this Colony that we should entirely control our own house. It is equally essential that there should be no interference from without. It is also essential that we should preserve some control over our own people and their connections and associations outside the Colony.
This main section of this Ordinance is Section 3 which states that either a strike or lock-out designed or calculated to coerce the Govern- ment is illegal. Those words "designed or calculated" do not mean that there must be actual coercion. As to whether the strikes in 1922 and 1925 were illegal strikes, or would have become illegal strikes, under this Ordinance, it is unnecessary for us to argue. We can at the most surmise. They are old history. But it is particularly desir- able that there should be a statutory declaration as to what an illegál strike is.
The principal objects and merits of this proposed Ordinance are in Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11. Section 3 is the section which deals with illegal strikes and illegal lock-outs. It is, I may say, declara- tory of the law as it exists to-day. It has been held at Home, in the Courts, that strikes and lock-outs such as are indicated in Section 3 are in fact illegal irrespective of this section. No one could possibly deny that interference with the policy of this Government would be a
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