CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 30

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nor by its own rules.

In such circumstances I feel that the Registrar should be in a position to exercise a very close supervision over the expenditure of union funds, and to this end should frequently investigate the union accounts to satisfy himself that all expenditure was both lawful and properly authorised by the rules of the union. Supervision of this nature would, to a great extent, be similar to plad ng the union on probation, but it would have the additional advantage that it could be applied equally well to an established union as tɖa newly formed one. It would not be popular and would undoubtedly give rise to a certain amount of resentment, but there is no doubt that if the power was wisely exercised, it would be a strong incentive to unions to conduct their affairs properly.

Para. 8. Sub-træde formations:

I do not think there is room for sub-trade unions in Hong Kong having regard to the present stage of union development in this Colony.

I agree entirely that the best training ground for sound trade unionism is the small work rs' group and, had it been possible to organise on these lines in Hong Kong, I think that our present trade union structure would be far more healthy than it is. It must, however, be remembered that trade unionism in Hong Kong has roots which go back not only to the ancient guild system of China but also to the mass organisati on of labour on a political basis which has been one of the features of modern Chinese unionism since 1911 and even earlier. Furthermore, the Colony is physically so small that it is virtually impossible for any small group whe ther based on a workshop or on a district to remain self- contained for any length of time. It is bound to be affected by its neighbours and to be drawn into combina- tions which would remove it from the category of a sub- trade union.

Paras. 9-11.

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Criteria of Registration.

I agree generally with the substance of these paragraphs, which are in point of fact already mostly covered by our Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordinance.

As regards the last part of para. 11; that provision should be made for the political fund of a union to be kept separate from other funds, this will certainly be highly desirable when we allow the funds of local unions to be used for political purposes. At the moment our trade uniom legislation does not permit their

either inside or outside the use in such a manmer Colony and, in view of the fact that the trade unions of Hong Kong are a battle ground for the rival political

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