0003160 G.F. 316
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remained unsettled. The Hong Kong Seamen's Union (H. K. S. U.), after appearing willing to accept a compromise, later hardened their attitude and insisted on a letter of apology and a press release, the texts of which were unacceptable to the R. I.L. Before a recent meeting, a union official remarked to a R. I.L. representative that if the Portuguese in Macau had agreed immediately to apologise, all the subsequent trouble would have been avoided, implying that the R. I. L. should learn from this example. The Chairman of the H. K. S. U., while addressing a meeting of members, claimed that the union was also insisting on the dismissal of the captain, a demand which had been earlier dropped. R. I. L. are most concerned over this dispute as they were informed on 19th January, by the Far East Enterprising Company (FARENCO), a subordinate of the communist controlled China National Import and Export Corporation, that, owing to their failure to accede to the union's demands China would no longer use R.I.L. ships for its cargo. (China's trade accounts for some 10% of the company's total freight). On 30th and 31st January a senior union official and some 20 crew members of the "Straat Malakka" entered the office of the Personnel Manager of the R.I.L. uninvited. On the first occasion the Personnel Manager asked for police to stand by in case they were required, but they were not, in fact, called on to intervene. On the second occasion they demanded apologies from the Personnel Manager and the Chinese Crew Manager, for calling the police and alleged rudeness the previous day. This the management refused, and threatened that if this type of deputation continued to be made they would stand on the agreement reached in Brisbane and make no further concessions and moreover would consider the possibility of replacing their Chinese crews with those of other nationalities. It is understood that the R. I. L. have no intention of acceding to the union's demands in full, as they consider that this would not only result in indiscipline on all their vessels manned by Chinese crews but would also lower the morale of their officers. They may, however, be willing to compromise.
7.
No discussions were held between the Cotton Indust:
try Workers' General Union (C.I.W.G.U.) and the management of East Asia Textiles Limited on the subject of an eight-hour day and a six day week (L. I.C. report for December, 1966, paragraph 21 refers) as no agreement had been reached on the re-employment or compensation of certain workers dismissed during the strike. Apart from minor disputes in a cement factory over a new year bonus, and in the two taxi firms over redundancy, the labour field was otherwise quiet.
8.
The 7th issue of the United Nations Association of Hong kong (U.N.A.H.K.)'s Public Opinion Forum became available to the public on the 18th January, The cover story was about Mr. Fred Lee, the former Secretary of State for the Colonies; and his portrait on the outside cover bore the caption "The Blood Sucker". The editorial heavily criticised the proposal that Hong Kong pay an increased share of her defence costs, and accused the Government of conspiring with the Secretary of State against the wishes of the Hong Kong people. It warned that this would lead to further conflict between the Government
and the people. The article carried a questionnaire seeking public opinion on the subject.
9.
On 17th January 1967, 2,000 copies of "New Society" the official publication of the Socialist Democratic Party of Hong Kong (S.D. P. H. K.), (declared membership is minute), were printed. It is intended to distribute them, free of charge, to members and other individuals and organisations with similar
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