TNAG-0011-FCO40-47-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 179

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OUTWARD TELEGRAM

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

(The Secretary of State)

TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63!

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Sent 1 June, 1967. 2300Z

IMMEDIATE No. 1106

Addressed to Governor, Hong Kong Repeated to Peking (PRIORITY)

t? POLAD Singapore

11

11

Washington (by saving)

19

Following is text of statement on Hong Kong made in both Houses of Parliament today (Thursday).

Begins.

I wish to make a statement on the recent disturbances

in Hong Kong.

The course of events was as follows. An industrial dispute in two factories producing artificial flowers led to minor disturbances during picketing on May 6. But what began as a genuine labour dispute then changed its character on May 11. It was taken up and exploited by local communists, with the aid of hooligan elements, some of whom were paid. Organised demonstrations were mounted as a direct and deliberate challenge to the authority of the Hong Kong Government. some cases these were orderly but in others they led to disturbances involving police action. There has been open incitement to violence and to disaffection.

In

Up to the 17 May the demonstrations were confined to parts of Kowloon: thereafter they spread to Victoria on Hong Kong Island. Processions, large gatherings of people, and the sticking of posters on public buildings, while unlawful, were tolerated so long as the demonstrators remained fairly orderly although noisy. On the 20th May, disorder and violence became part of the pattern of demonstrations, and it was necessary to disperse further unlawful processions and assemblies, but orderly groups of 20 were able to present petitions at Government House.

Throughout the distrubances the Hong Kong police were able to control the situation with the minimum of force. Firearms were used on only one occasion, when a constable over whom petrol had been thrown fired three revolver shots and wounded one man. The greatest restraint was exercised throughout by the police, despite extreme provocation. The

Secretary of State and I have already paid public tribute to them

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