TNAG-0065-FCO40-101-Local-intelligence-reports-1968 — Page 140

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4.

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At this stage of the disturbances all available

information suggested that the incidents were not planned in advance

by the Rubber and Plastic Workers' Union (R.P.W.U.), to which the

left-wing workers belonged, nor by any other local communist

organisation. The initiative appeared to have been taken by the

workers themselves. Their increased militancy and the relaxation of

rigid control which permitted its expression both stemmed from the

teaching of the Cultural Revolution. However, during the two days

following the incident, not only the R.P.W.U., but also the

Federation of Trade Unions (F.T.U.) called meetings to express

support. At the former meeting it was decided to make four demands

upon Government through the press. They were that:

(a) the Hong Kong Government must cease its brutality

immediately and ensure no repetition;

(b) all the arrested persons must be released immediately; (c) compensation must be paid by Government for all

injuries and damage and those responsible punished; (d) there must be no Governmental interference in labour

disputes.

The F.T.U., in turn, supported the union and announced that they would also issue vigorous protests. On the following days the campaign of vilification directed against the alleged brutality

of the Police reached white heat. Reference was made to "blood

being repaid by blood". Meetings were held by all pro-Communist

organisations in support of the San Po Kong workers and posters began appearing in the windows of pro-Communist premises in Kowloon

calling upon Government to accede to the demands and protesting

against Police brutality.

5.

By the evening of the 10th May the atmosphere was even

more tense. On the morning of the 11th May a large crowd assembled

outside the San Po Kong factory.

This steadily increased until

by about 4 p.in. some 1500 persons were in the area, including a

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