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this has been offset by the speed and depth of Government action and
publicity to show the wide range of Government help.
Attempts to win
over certain sections of the population such as hawkers and dual purpose van
drivers, who have an inherent dislike of authority because they are operating
largely on the fringe of the law, have achieved some limited success. It
remains to be seen whether this will be of a permanent nature in that these
people have no love for the communist ideology but are merely prepared to
follow anyone who will champion their cause.
11.
}
The intensive study of the Thoughts of MAO Tse Tung has been
the central theme of all communist activity and the main pillar of their
drive to consolidate their own ranks and improve their morale. Study
groups, meetings and MAO exhibitions have continued without a break and
there have been indications that a considerable number of communist
supporters are finding such an unchanging diet of propaganda unpalatable.
Attendances at study groups have dropped, the most recent exhibitions have
been poorly attended and in many commercial organisations officials have
gradually cut down the amount of time spent on compulsory MAO study in
order to concentrate on business.
i
12.
The last ten months has shown a continuing pattern of frustrated
communist effort in most fields. The widespread and prolonged efforts,
which began in July, to mount "bigger and better" National day celebrations
did not achieve the improved morale which the leadership had obviously hoped
for, nor did the functions attract or make any noticeable inroads into the
non-committed. The continued assertion that the thoughts of MAO are the
answer to any and every problem is clearly becoming less and less acceptable
in particular in trade unions where the "Thoughts" have been
used since January, 1967, to support policies which if not diametrically
to the masses,
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