VERBATIM SERVICE 231/67
1ST JUNE 1967
PAGE TWO.
THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD AND FORTHRIGHT PUBLIC SUPPORT IN HONG KONG FOR THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND HOOLIGANISM AND TO PRESERVE ORDER. THE GOVERNOR HAS RECEIVED MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM OVER FIVE HUNDRED REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS.
MY LATEST INFORMATION IS THAT WORK AT BOTH THE FACTORIES INVOLVED IN THE ORIGINAL LABOUR DISPUTE HAS NOW BEEN RESUMED. THE HOUSE MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT FOR SOMETIME NOW IMPROVEMENTS IN LABOUR CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION IN HONG KONG AND I AM IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT CHANGES IN THE LABOUR LAWS WHICH I THINK WE ALL FEEL WOULD BE TIMELY: THEY INCLUDE SUCH MATTERS AS HOURS OF WORK FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS AND CONCILIATION MACHINERY.
FOR THE FUTURE, WE MUST HOPE THAT GOOD SENSE WILL PREVAIL. THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND I ARE, OF COURSE, IN CLOSE AND CONSTANT TOUCH WITH THE GOVERNOR. THERE HAVE BEEN STATEMENTS ALLEGING THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN ACTING OUT OF MOTIVES OF ENMITY TOWARDS CHINA, I DO NOT NEED TO SAY THAT WE, LIKE ALL SECTIONS OF OPINION IN HONG KONG, HAVE SOUGHT, AND WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH CHINA. BUT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG HAS THE DUTY TO MAINTAIN PEACE, ORDER AND GOOD GOVERNMENT THERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE GIVEN THEM CLEAR ASSURANCES OF OUR COMPLETE SUPPORT AND DETERMINATION TO FULFIL OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN HONG KONG.
FINALLY, I WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE CALM AND COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID TRENCH: TO THE ABILITY AND DETERMINATION SHOWN BY THE WHOLE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION TO THE SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR OF THE POLICE: AND TO THE SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG GENERALLY.
ENDS VERBATIM SERVICE 231/67 LPS
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