TNAG-0010-FCO40-46-Kowloon-disturbances-1986 — Page 163

Cypher

(136)

SECRET

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

D. 24 May 1967

R. 24

1230Z

A

MAY

1967

PAX

FLASH SECRET No.690

192

adopted.

Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.) Repeated

11

Peking No.262

POLAD Singapore No.127

"Washington No.1 38

25

(S. of S. please pass PRIORITY to all)

132)

My telegram No.680 (not repeated).

Following (?for Garner) from Galsworthy.

Following is a summary of the measures already

Maintenance of Public Confidence

12 1

3

2. Support of the Government's actions has been remarkably strong and widespread. Its open expression has been officially encouraged by all possible means and has been widely publicised through the press, radio and television. H.M.G.'s clear support has been of very great assistance in maintaining the momentum of this confidence. As this has been reiterated and as each new step taken here to maintain order is announced there has been a further surge in confidence. This has proved a disconcerting weapon for the Communists and we cannot afford to let it be blunted.

3. The Information Services Department has issued large quantities of useful counter-propaganda material against the excesses in the Communist press and this has been made full use of by the radio and the friendly press. This is biting on the Communist press which is devoting increasing space in attempts to defeat it.

4. The Department has also had marked success in promptly countering all malicious rumours (e.g. of rice or water shortages, or bank runs) put about by the Communists.

5. The Labour Department's achievement in obtaining a settlement of the dispute in the two artificial flower factories (one of which has already reopened) has had a good effect on confidence. It will continue to conciliate wherever possible but stoppages of work in present circumstances tend to be political not industrial and in at least one case a conciliation officer was driven out by threats of physical violence.

6. The arrival shortly of H.M.S. BULWARK is likely to have a very good effect on confidence generally. Primarily, however, confidence depends on the ability of the police to maintain order.

/Maintenance

SECRET