TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 125

PART V PERSONS INVOLVED

105

und

1 in

al a

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not know their parents' income. The others gave figures between $101 and $1,000 per month; four between $101 and $200, five between $201 and $300, the remainder being above $400 a month. Twenty-one of the boys were working at the time of the riots in the following capacities:

>m.

Son

Kitchen Hand

Apprentice

had

7

5

Delivery Boy

4

Bar Boy Hawker

Unskilled Labourer

No Information

1

2

1

1

ols.

all

vere

from:

r of

,000

$51-$100 (3),

$101-$150 (6),

$151-$200 (7),

7%)

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Ten claimed they had chosen their jobs themselves. More than half claimed that they worked very long hours. Including the apprentices, their monthly salary ranged

--$50 (2),

$201-$250 (3)

Seven of the boys did not have to give any of their earnings to their parents and four had to give all. Six of them felt that their working conditions were good, seven felt that theirs were passable, and another seven, poor. Twelve slept at their place of work, in bunks, camp beds etc. One slept on a board over a sewing machine.

381. Regarding prospects, half of them did not feel that they had very much future in their present job, while six felt a bit more hopeful. Seven of them aspired to be motor or electrical mechanics, four to catering and restaurant work. Others would like to be seamen (two), clerk (one), radio-worker (one), carpenter (one), construction worker (one) and hotel boy (one). One hoped to have his own garage and be his own boss. Five had no plans.

382. The majority, 20 out of 24, claimed to be in good health. Eighteen felt recreation was essential and important whilst three felt it was unnecessary and three had no opinion. Going to the cinema, loafing in the streets, swimming, ball- games and gambling were the major activities apart from work.

383. Attitude to Government & public utilities. Four of them were unable to make any comments about the Government. Six were indifferent. Two felt the Government was good. Six felt it was satisfactory. Six felt it was bad. Eighteen of the boys felt there was no equal treatment for people in Hong Kong and sixteen of them that there was no justice in the Courts. Others had no opinion on these topics. Sixteen of them considered the police force 'bad. One said it was very bad. Five were indifferent and two were unable to make any comments.

384. Twenty-one of the boys had no knowledge of who owned the public utilities such as the Star Ferry Co., etc. Only two knew the correct answers. One was indifferent. In spite of their lack of knowledge, eleven of them positively stated that it was unfair to raise fares; twelve of them were indifferent and only one said that it was fair to raise fares and then salaries, in general, should also be raised. To illustrate their lack of knowledge about public affairs, two boys said that the Star Ferry belonged to Mrs. ELLIOTT.