CO129-596-1 Strikes 9-1-1948 - 5-1-1950 — Page 11

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

This document must be paraphrased if the communication of its contents to any person outside Government Service is authorised.

19

11

54508/49

TYPEX

TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

Sent 5th January, 1950. 17.15 hrs.

No. 28. Secret.

Your telegram No. 1404.

Strikes.

I am concerned at situation which is reported in "Times" on 4 January that while maintaining their agreement to go to arbitration the employers have refused request of workers to reopen negotiations.

Is there any possibility that this reported new request indicates a more reasonable frame of mind? If so I am sure that the Labour Department will continue to use their best efforts to bring the parties together again. I should like to be kept in touch with all developments in the situation.