694
SECRET
Cypher/Cat A
!G KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 252
SECRET
29 February 1968
Addressed to Peking telegram No. 79 of 29 February
Weekly Assessment as at 260600.
لذا
2.
No Bombs.
Further orderly Union delegations visited the Colonial Secretariat, Social Welfare Department and the Red Cross demanding increased wages, distribution of winter clothing to prisoners and improvements to prison conditions. There was one protest demons tra- tion outside a police station. Large picnic groups from Communist organisations have visited the New Territories; one group man-handled and held for two hours an off duty auxiliary policeman who was picnicing nearby. These groups mainly keep within the law and do not seek trouble; however, their activities may frighten villagers and other visitors from town and result in public pressure on Government to curb their activities.
3.
The Chinese Resource Company's (CRC) formal application to be allowed to import the "gift" rice outside the quota has been returned because of its unacceptable terms. C.R.C. officials have continued to insist that the rice comes in outside the quota and have implied that it will be brought in without approval if necessary. More pressure could well be applied in the immediate future in an attempt to force Government to reverse its decision.
40
Members of a Textile Workers Union have been told that strike pay will cease at the end of February. This could have far reaching repercussions if it became general policy in other Unions. It is thought probable, at this stage, that the Communists are testing reactions only.
5. The circulation of the three recently republished pro-Communist newspapers has returned to pre-suppression levels.
6. Repatriation of illegal immigrants was resumed on 22 February. By 25 February, 24 had been returned via Lowu. Repatriation was then temporarily suspended following an incident when a reluctant repatriate was pushed into C.T. by a China travel agent employee and was roughly handled by C.P.G. authorities. Meanwhile 390 illegal immigrants were arrested during the week bringing the month's total to 652 so far.
PA
ян
8951
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
1- New203
7. Inspections were
SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.