CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (O.A.G.)
264
Cypher
R.
D. 26 June 1967
26
11
11 302
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
No.918
Addressed to Commonwealth Office Repeated to: Peking No. 361
POLAD Singapore No.198 Washington No.202
(Please pass PRIORITY to all)
(261)
My telegram No.908.
RECEIVED IN
53 ARCHIVI
HUBIIM
(262)
Sitrep as at 26 1900.
There have been no reports of violence, but there has been evidence of successful intimidation among dock workers. The transport situation has slightly improved and only the working of ships is seriously affected by strike action at the moment, although both the electric light companies are still short staffed. Water supplies from China have ceased (my telegram No.912 refers). Sha Tau Kok has remained quiet.
20
The shortage of lighters, tugs and tally clerks continues to limit port operating. Two junk-loads of pigs and vegetables from mainland China could not be unloaded because of reluctance of stevedores on the island as result of intimidation. Unloading of rice from China has also been interrupted.
3. It was noticeable that there were no deliveries of fresh vegetables by sea from Canton. Whether this is a beginning of a boycott or because the shippers are taking account of labour difficulties here is not yet clear. Since arrivals of livestock overland have been nearly normal, the latter appears the more probable.
4. The public transport situation has continued to improve slightly although both bus companies are either closing or cutting down their services early this evening. In Kowloon, this is almost entirely due to shortage of staff. In Hong Kong, the fear of intimidation of crews after dark, particularly by those living in Kowloon is probably an important factor.
5. The Communists are continuing their efforts to spread the strike despite its manifest unsuccess so far. Only in the harbour is there a serious interruption of services.
The position in the wharves on Hong Kong has deteriorated under the threat of intimidation which it hoped to counter by police protection tomorrow.
(Passed as requested with advance copies to Foreign Office
(F.E. Dept.) and Commonwealth Secretary's
Private Office)
LAST
P:
261
CONFIDENTIAL
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