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was proscribed ten years ago". One of the promotors regarded
as an undesirable was interviewed by the Inspector General of
Police on October 1st and was required by him to leave the Colony.
In his interview Mr. King made quite clear to him his attitude
towards the General Labour Union.
Association with the Canton Kuomintang.
There is no doubt that the project received direct
encouragement from Canton. In November the Chief Secretary
of the Provincial Kuomintang suggested to Mr. King the establishment of an agency in Hong Kong to secure the cooperation of Hong Kong Labour Unions in connection with the war. He received no
encouragement on that occasion. Nevertheless early in December he called a meeting in Hong Kong of representatives of Hong Kong Unions at which five Unions, including the Seamen's Union, were deputed to organise a General Labour Union. it this meeting it was definitely stated that the organisation was to be for war
purposes.
At a meeting held at the Seamen's Union on January 5th 1938 it was stated that the preliminary expenses of the General Labour Union amounting to several hundred dollars would be paid by the Kuangtung Kuomintang.
Disregard of Official Warnings.
Further meetings were held for the same purpose at
the Seamen's Union on December 25th and December 29th.
On December 30th I summoned Li Fat, Chairman of the Hong Kong Seamen's Union, and told him plainly that the Hong Kong Government will not tolerate the establishment of a General Labour
Union or anti-Japanese activities.
On December 31st I summoned Chau Sik Wing, Chairman of the Yu Han Lok She, and gave him a similar warning.
On January 1st a meeting was held at the Seamen's Union at which several persons (including Chau Sik Wing) made anti-Japanese speeches; and on January 3rd a telegram was sent to
Chiang Kai Shek by the seamen's Union pledging their support.
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