TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 128

PART VI

THE IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF THE DISTURBANCES

AND

ALLEGED CAUSES OF UNDERLYING UNREST OR DISCONTENT

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CHAPTER 1.

IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF THE DISTURBANCES

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Why did they demonstrate?

393. Before attempting to trace the cause and course of the transition to violence on April 6th, it is desirable to analyse the reasons, so far as we can discern them, for the demonstrations immediately preceding the rioting: why they occurred and what light, if any, they throw on a possible recurrence.

394. Opposition to fare increases. The opposition to any increase in transport fares, apparent even before the Star Ferry application was made, seems to have come from:

(a) a fear that an increase would cause a chain reaction of price increases leading to general inflation, a point on which feeling in Hong Kong can be particularly sensitive because of what people know or have heard about inflation in China in the past;

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(b) a belief that the economy was facing a period of depression in which the paign

livelihood of many would be in jeopardy; and

(c) a widespread feeling that the Company was already making sufficient profit and that a fare increase would merely benefit a few at the expense of many.

395. The public's opposition was strengthed by the prominence given to the views of certain civic leaders and a tendency in certain sections of the press to emphasize pessimistic views of the economy.

396. The public's fear of rising prices found support in some increased prices in 1965 and a rapid succession of increases in taxes and other charges announced or introduced in March/April 1966.

397. As a result, the Star Ferry application, which was the first to come forward and provide an opportunity for sustained public discussion, was accepted as a symbol of a further surge of increases. Opposition to this application came to be regarded as opposition to all price rises and, in some quarters, as a protest at Government's handling of public affairs generally and of the economy in particular.

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