0003160 G.F. 316
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also evidenced indiscrimate use of force by the Macau police", However, he called upon all present to be calm and await Government's decision on this matter. There has been no attempt by the left-wing to exploit this incident (paragraph 14 of this report also refers).
24.
Criticism of the increase in the Colony's share of defence costs has been voiced by several bodies, including the United Nations Association of Hong Kong (U.N..H.K.), Socialist Democratic Party of Hong Kong (S.D.P.H.K.), the Reform Club of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Civic Association and the Research Institute for Hong Kong Affairs (R.I.H.K./.). Apart from these bodies, whose attempts to make a major issue of this subject have met with little response, public reaction has been generally mild, and the more conservative section of the right-wing press has supported the increase on the grounds that if the Colony is to have protection it must pay for it. The left-wing press has devoted little attention to the issue though it has condemned the increase on the grounds that it will damage the economy of the Colony.
25.
On the 29th December, Mr. James Johnson, M.P. for Kingston-on-Hull, est, arrived in Hong Kong (L.I.C. report for November 1966, paragraph 29 refers). He was met at Kai Tak by
some 35 persons including Mrs. Elsie Elliott, MA Man Fai, under whose aegis he was in the Colony, and 30 hawkers and children. At the airport Mr. Johnson stated that the main purpose of his visit was to examine the local trade union movement and working conditions in Hong Kong, especially those of female workers in the textile trade. He also said that he would be examining the whole field of constitutional reform. On 30th and 31st December, he visited resettlement estates, schools and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association; and met leaders of right-wing unions.
26.
On 21st December the first number was issued of a student monthly newspaper entitled "The Federation", published by the Hong Kong Federation of Students (H.K.F.S.). This bilingual publication which is financed by the International Student Conference (.I.S.C.) carries both local and international student news items and had a first printing of some 6,000 copies, distributed free to all student members and sent to student bodies abroad. The editorial of the first issue gave as the ideal of the Federation "A free university, a free society and ultimately world peace", and claimed that the .K.F.S. would seek to achieve this, "no matter what the cost, by struggling against oppression in all its forms".
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27.
The Second Student Seminar co-sponsored by the H.K.F.S I.S.. was held in Hong Kong University from 26th to 29th December and was declared open by the President of United College of the Chinese University. Some 50 participants from 18 various student unions discussed the main theme, "The Role, Structure and Function of a Student Union", and passed a number of resolutions on this subject. The H.K.F.S. is making a definite effort to improve the standard of student unions in the Colony. Previously it has been principally engaged in matters connected with education, but this conference and articles appearing in "The Federation" have shown that a certain amount of civic responsibility and political awareness is being awakened in local students. The H.K.F.S. has never presented Government with any problems but these could arise if this new development bears fruit. (L.I.C. report for September 1966, paragraph 21, refers).
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