TNAG-0540-FCO40-635-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 46

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In view of this, it continued, it was "extremely unfair" that the taxpayer of Hong Kong should have to pay an extra £8 million, or possibly even more, for the upkeep of the garrison.

As for the reduction of the 500 locally recruited personnel, Tin Tin Yat Po

(20.3.75) suggested that the Government should

help them find new jobs.

It said that the Government should not take the problem at face value, as the families of these retrenched personnel would in effect be affected. In other words, "the unemployment of 500 men means that the lives of several thousand people would be affected."

The paper suggested that the local garrison should withdraw from the urban areas, and that the vacated land should be handed back to the Hong Kong Government to put up for auction.

"The Government can use proceeds from the land sales to pay for the defence contributions," it said.

Also dwelling on this point, Wah Kiu Man Pao (22.3.75) said that if the military land were handed back to the Hong Kong Government unconditionally, Hong Kong could gain something to compensate for its loss.

"Even if, as in previous practice, we have to pay compensation for the land, we hope the price will not be too steep. Perhaps payment could be deferred until the economic situation in Hong Kong improves, so as not to add to Hong Kong's difficulties."

The Labour Relations Bill

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The Commissioner for Labour Mr. Ian Price, announced on March 21 proposed legislation for dealing with serious labour disputes in Hong Kong. This will give the Government powers to intervene in industrial disputes and to order a "cooling-off" period if necessary.

Six editorials commented on this topic.

Both Wah Kiu Yat Po (22.3.75) and Hong Kong Daily News (23.3.75) were in favour of the bill. "Obviously, the Labour Relations Bill the Government is seeking to introduce is not intended to control employers or employees, but to help them solve their disputes. It is believed that both parties will support the bit wholeheartedly," Wah Kiu Yat Po .said. Hong Kong Daily News described the bill as a wise move, and hoped

that the Legislative Council would pass it without amendment.

Wah Kiu Yat Po pointed out that in the Labour Department, there was a labour relations division which helped settle disputes between employers and employees. "However, the division could not step in if one side to a dispute refuse to co-operate or accept conciliation," it said.

"Under the bill, the Government will have powers to intervene in labour disputes so that it can prevent these from dragging on or from worsening," Woh Kiu Yat Po stated.