TNAG-0292-FCO40-328-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-bomb-attacks-and-threats-1971 — Page 130

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violence and blamed the Government for :

a.

b.

C.

not making Chinese an official language in Hong Kong. ignoring public opinion on the water-charge increase issue

the absence of elected representation in the Legislative Council.

So, we feel that the Government should accept the people's reasonable demands.

TIN TIN YAT PO (29.3.71)

We hail Mr. Norman Hill for his bravery.

A number of bombs were planted in public places in the past few days and the bomb-planters used the slogans of opposing "water-charge increase" and "making the Chinese Language official in Hong Kong" as excuses for their action. We are sure that there is absolutely no connection between these bombs and public opinion.

Government tends to lose good-will of the people in some of its measures and policies but using violence to express one's indignation is definitely out.

WAH KIU YAT PO (29.3.71)

We believe that the motive of the four student bodies in making their statements is good. They have shown their love and care for Hong Kong, We would like to praise them for their courage and sincerity.

However, we have a few suggestions here for the students :

2.

3.

The planting of bombs is a malicious plot to undermine the future of Hong Kong. It should not be tolerated but should be dealt with severely;

government should on no account withdraw its decision to increase the water rates nor should it announce Chinese as an official language at the present moment, because this would mean giving in to the bomb-planters. Government should adopt a firm attitude now, and leave the two problems for future disucssions;

in order to safeguard the life of the 4 million people and to uphold law and order, all the residents should offer their unconditional support to the Government in all it does.

To sum up, residents and Government must join force and co-operate with each other to overcome the present crisis.

TRUTH DAILY (30.3.71)

Urban Counciller Dr. D. Huang made a statement on T.V. last night saying that the planting of bombs this time is different from that of 1967 in that many people think it is the right thing to do.

Many people are dissatisfied with reality, but we believe few are dissatisfied to the extent of wanting to ruin Hong Kong altogether, so we think Dr. Huang's remark represents the view of only a minority.

/TRUTH