TNAG-0186-FCO40-222-Special-branch-reports-on-Communist-activities-1969 — Page 152

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G.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

Extract from the Wen Wei Pao dated 1st November, 1968.

APPENDIX C (2)

IT IS VICIOUS TO TAKE THE LEAD

IN IMPOSING RENT INCREASES

Today, both the Resettlement Estates and Low Cost Housing Estates become subject to squeezing by the British authorities in Hong Kong, who pay absolutely no regard to the opposition of the broad masses of the residents. As from today, the rents payable by over 6,000 shops in the Resettlement Estates, are raised by between 10% and 30%. Also residents of three Low Cost Housing Estates will receive today a notice to the effect that rents will go up by 10%.

There is more than one motive behind the imposition of rent increases by the British authorities in Hong Kong. Apart from increasing the revenue of the British authorities by millions of dollars, so that it becomes unnecessary to resort to "tax increases" to fill their pockets, the imposition will pave the way for general rent increases. When property owners follow the example set by the British authorities in Hong Kong and impose rent increases on their tenants, there will be more income for the Hong Kong British Government. As an example, yesterday, the "Land Developers' Association" which represents the interests of owners of pre-war buildings announced that its application for a 20% rent increase would be approved shortly by the British authorities.

To the tenants of the Resettlement Estates and the Low Cost Housing Estates, the imposition of rent increases is nothing less than a catastrophe. As salaried workers or small traders or hawkers, they have only a meagre income. With the imposition of rent increases, they will find it more difficult than ever to support their family. As to the broad masses of residents, it is hard to say that they will not be affected after the lead has been taken by the British authorities in Hong Kong in raising the rents.

For the sake of their own colonial interests, the British authorities in Hong Kong go to such extents as squeezing money from the broad masses of residents by resorting to rent increases. They are indeed as vicious as scorpions. But, at the same time they are trying to squeeze money, they claim that the move "will not affect the tenants to a great extent". They assert also that "the whole society will be benefited". It is really nonsense. Better examples of turning black into white will not be found.

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/The. ...

CONFIDENTIAL