CO129-512-1 Political situation in China- and Canton 30-11-1928 - 23-5-1929 — Page 33

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position. I told General Chan that it would be bad

back policy if Kwangtung were to allow Chang Fat-fui to come/to

the Province, to which he had done so much harm. Not

only would Chang's return be undesirable from the point of view of the people, but also from that of General Chan himself, for there could be little doubt that his (Chan's)

position would become precarious with Chang in the

Province.

I said that according to reports I had heard, the

labour unions in Canton had again become active, and had of

late been trying to regain their former power. No one

could deny that the labourers should receive fair and just

treatment from the authorities, but it was most important

that they should not be allowed to get out of control.

Canton had tasted the bitterness of labour tyranny and

communism, and it was up to the authorities to do everything

possible to prevent anything which might bring about a recurrence of the deplorable state of affairs prevailing

four or five years ago. General Chan assured me that we

The

not need/fear any labour trouble in Canton, as the Government was quite strong enough to keep Labour under control. only labour union in Canton that could be said to be strong

is the Mechanics Union, but they were not likely to give

trouble.

Our conversation then drifted to the question of

relations between Hong Kong and Canton. I made it clear to General Chan that while Hong Kong was always willing

and anxious to co-operate with Canton, Hong Kong was not

entirely dependent upon Canton. It is in the interests

of the Chinese people of both places that this co-operation

is desirable, and it is for these very interests that

Hong Kong