CO129-556-14 Chinese Seamen's Union- activities 1-7-1936 - 16-2-1937 — Page 34

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Encl. No.1.

Encls.Nos.2-4.

Encl. No.5.

8.

In this connection I would invite your attention

to section 7 of the Illegal Strikes and Lockouts Ordinance

No.10 of 1927 which prohibits the establishment, without the

consent of the Governor in Council of Branch Unions under the

control of unions established outside the Colony. A copy of

this Ordinance is enclosed for facility of reference. The

Governor in Council has in no instance given his consent to

the establishment of such branch unions. It is probable

that a number of local unions are loosely affiliated to

similar organisations in Canton, but it has not been found necessary so far to take any action under this section of the Ordinance. It is probable however that its existence has had

a restraining effect.

9.

With regard to the final paragraph of your despatch,

I enclose copies of the Societies Ordinance No.8 of 1920 and

of Ordinances No.47 of 1911 and No.1 of 1926 which were

repealed by the former enactment. It will be observed that the earlier legislation contains provisions for the registration and control of societies which have been omitted from that now

in force. The reason for the change in policy was explained

in the memorandum of objects and reasons which accompanied

Sir R.E. Stubbs despatch No.213 of the 30th June, 1920. A copy of the memorandum is enclosed for convenience of

reference.

10. An outstanding example of the difficulties to be faced when the registration of societies is made compulsory is seen in the case of the Kuomintang. In Malaya, where a system of registration is in force, the existence of this organisation led to difficulties and embarrassment which were not experienced in Hong Kong. Although at one time a branch of this organisation existed in the Colony the authorities were not here faced with the alternatives of recognition or proscription, when the adoption of either course would