0003160 G.F. 316
SECRET
10
19.
service while earning an honest living; these sentiments
cause them to resent any move by Government to restrict their
activities. Thus, as further hawker clearances and resiting
operations become necessary in the interests of urban deve-
lopment there seems little doubt that the anti-Government
feelings of this section of the community will increase.
The majority of the hawker population has no political affiliations and it appears unlikely that any
large number will be attracted to the communist camp through
an interest in ideology or as a result of communist
"patriotic" propaganda. However, the hawkers' reaction to
future Government moves will provide fertile ground for the
exploitation of real and imagined grievances and the
communists will undoubtedly make every effort to continue
to exploit the situation fully.
20.
The communist dominated H.K.K.L.M.A.H.S., with its
membership in excess of 2,500, or approximately 4.2% of
all hawkers, is today the most active organisation which
purports to represent the views of the hawker population and
receives valuable support from the communist press in Hong Kong. The Society is attractive to many persons engaged in
this trade, who consider, that through the Society, they have
a strong voice which will be heard by both Government and the
public. The economic benefits, in the form of credit
facilities and loans now offered by the Society make member-
ship even more desirable and it appears that increasing numbers
of hawkers will be drawn into the Society, thus exposing them
to more communist propaganda and provide further support for
communist
efforts.
SECRET
0003160 G.F. 316
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.