TNAG-0233-FCO40-269-Legislation-relating-to-registration-of-trade-unions-in-Hong-1970 — Page 71

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of the prohibition on picketing a place of residence is not acceptable. There is no reason why it should be unlawful to attend peacefully at a person's house merely to obtain or convey information or to persuade a union member to work or abstain from working. A recent disturbance in Hong Kong arose from an attempt to drive blacklegs into a factory in a closed van. If peaceful picketing at a person's house is not to be allowed, it must be made abundantly clear that opportunities will be given for peaceful persuasion at the place of work. If opportunities are not afforded for peaceful action, the natural result in the long run will be that strikers will turn their minds to other methods.

MN/10

December 1, 1970