CO129-552-7 Chinese Seamen's Union- request to set up branch in Hong Kong 2-1-1935 - 19-7-1935 — Page 20

20

been drafted and awaited promulgation at some later date.

Mr. Sung was informed that the substance

3.

of his visit would be duly communicated to the firms

concerned for their consideration, but what their

views would be on the matter it was impossible to

say, as these were obviously dependent upon a number

of technical points, which they alone were competent to judge.

4.

Though he stated that he would call again

shortly Mr. Sung has not so far returned to the

charge. He has however broached the subject with

Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, Limited,

during the course of discussions regarding some other

matter, in which he was representing the 3eamen's

Union. He had, moreover, also approached Messrs.

Butterfield and Swire in this connection some six

months earlier, but in both cases he received a non-

committal reply. While willing to discuss any

reasonable proposal from authoritative quarters

which might result in the reduction of friction with

their crews, particularly where tea-boys are concerned,

the two firms are of one mind in regarding Mr. Sung's

proposals with considerable suspicion. They are in the

first place insufficiently convinced of Mr. Sung's bona

fides and disinterestedness in the matter. They have had

previous dealings with him in his capacity of representative

of union interests, and their experience of his methods

and general attitude only confirms their suspicions.

Moreover the unfriendly tone of certain articles recently

published in the monthly magazine published by the

headquarters/

Page 20Page 21