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ANNEX A
Events in Kowloon
HONG KONG DISTURBANCES
The recent disturbances in Kowloon arise from an industrial
dispute in April between workers and their employers about wages and conditions of employment involving 650 workers in two
factorics producing artificial flowers. The injection moulding
sections of both factories were closed and the workers were
dismissed. The Labour Department of the Hong Kong Government
offored to help the parties to reach agreement but this was
rofused by 1oth parties.
2.
Disturbances broke out on the 6th May outside one of the
factories situated in Kowloon and as a result 21 persons wore
arrested.
る。 On the 8th May the Rubber and Plastic Workers Union put
forward four demands:
1.
(a) immediate release of the workers arrested; (b) punishment of the ovil doors and compensation;
(c) guarantee of the workers and personal safety; (a) no interference honecforth by the police in
labour disputes.
The pro-communist press endorsed these demands and
deliberately slanted its reporting to create the impression
of unnecessary brutality by the police who had in fact behaved with exemplary moderation. The pro-communist press also demanded
apologies by the Government.
5. Further disorders broke out in Kowloon on the 11th May and
continued for several days. The police wore attacked, cars were
set on fire and some property was damaged. Curfews had to be
declared in certain areas to help control the situation.
Chinese Government's Statement
6. On 15th May the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued
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