TNAG-0096-FCO40-132-Hong-Kong-Trade-Unions-1968 — Page 13

CYPHER/CAT A

PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1337

CONFIDENTIAL

TOP COP

મ

11

TO HONG KONG

30 JULY 1968

1968 (HWB) 18/70

CONFIDENTIAL.

CENTENARY CONGRESS OF BRITISH T U C.

HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TU C HAVE INFORMED BRITISH T U C THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO RESPOND TO INVITATION TO SEND A DELEGATE TO THE LATTER'S CENTENARY CONGRESS ON GROUNDS OF PREOCCUPATION WITH THEIR OWN ANNUAL GATHERING. TUC HERE STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT REAL REASON IS LACK OF FINANCE. IF ASKED, BRITISH TUC WOULD PROVIDE COST OF AIR FARE AND SUBSISTENCE. TUC IS ANXIOUS TO SEE H.K. REPRESENTATION AT CONGRESS AND PROVIDED THAT YOU SEE NO OBJECTION WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF APPROACH COULD BE MADE TO FUNG HO-CHIU PERHAPS BY LABOUR COMMISSIONER, INDICATING TUC'S DISAPPOINTMENT AND, IF MONEY IS PROBLEM, REFERRING TO TUC'S READINESS TO HELP. IF PROBLEMS OF FACE ARISE, PERHAPS YOU COULD ADVISE US AND TUC HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED. 2. AS TUC COMMITTEE ALLOCATING FUNDS IS MEETING WITHIN FEW DAYS GRATEFUL FOR TELEGRAPHIC RESPONSE. IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN PERSUAD- ING HKTUC TO SEND A DELEGATE A TELEGRAM TO CONGRESS HOUSE FROM THEM

WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

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0.L.A.

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W.E.D.

RESEARCH DEPT.

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