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CONFIDENTIAL
Bill to amend the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance has been enacted. We can see no technical reason why this should not be done even though the actual drafting may present problems; and Ministers attach very considerable importance to this particular aspect. At the same time we would hope that the penalty clauses could be reviewed to bring them into line with United Kingdom practice, i.e. each individual case of working hours in excess of the law would constitute an offence.
Labour Management Relations
6.
It seems clear that, apart from technical difficulties, the deep political split dividing the trade union movement in Hong Kong would make it very difficult to achieve effective compulsory conciliation by legislation; but as a step in the right direction would it not help if legislation were enacted providing for the compulsory notification of disputes? This would seem to us to be about as far as legislation on this subject could be taken at the present time.
Expansion of Activities of Labour Department
Since
7. We are not absolutely clear about your requirements in this respect. We have learned privately that Goodwin would definitely be interested in coming to Hong Kong and we understand from the Governor that Hong Kong would be glad to secure his services. Goodwin returned to the U.K. last month, perhaps you would let us have particulars of the appointment that you would offer him, including the terms and duties attached to it and the period for which his services would be required. On the last point, we recommended in our telegram No. 1017 a one-year attachment in the first instance.
8.
In the case of the additional senior staff that you are seeking we are not sure what you have in mind for Bennett and Price. Do you have them in mind for the two new posts of Assitant Commissioner? In any event the prospects of finding experienced senior staff from elsewhere who could adequately fill either of these posts, or indeed the post of Senior Labour Officer that is mentioned, are far from good.
9.
A continuing point of anxiety incidentally continues to be the post of Deputy Commissioner of Labour about which we have already addressed you (see, for example, paragraph 8 of our confidential telegram No. 1017). Alexander we understand, is shortly to go on leave. How will he be replaced? It would be difficult to equate your desire to strengthen the Labour Department with the usual Hong Kong practice on such occasions of bringing in an Administrative Officer to act as depty. It seems to me that if, in this department, you are going to attract and retain the properly qualified professional officers you now need in increasing numbers you must provide reasonable prospects that they can rise to the most senior positions in the department. While it may remain necessary for some long time to come to retain firm "political direction" of the department, surely this can be achieved if an Administrative Officer
continues
CONFIDENTIAL
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