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20.
A general meeting of Typists was held on 8th January 1977 at which the motion to accept the package was put by the Chairman and seemingly carried, first by a show of hands and then, in response to calls from the floor, by dividing the meeting those "for" to the one side of the hall and those "against" to the other.
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21.
Before the vote was taken the Committee had agreed to a somewhat extraordinary proposal that all Senior Typists be requested to withdraw on the grounds that, if they voted, they would be sure to vote "for" the motion.
22.
About 240 Typists and Senior Typists had been present at the meeting of whom 120 had voted "for" acceptance of Government's proposals and 80 had voted "against"; 40 had been irregularly excluded as described above on the grounds that they would have been sure to have voted "for" acceptance.
23.
Following the vote the meeting became disorderly; many went home or became spectators to what then took place. Dissidents made allegations that the nine Committee members had "done or deal" with Government. The Committee promptly resigned. A group of dissidents then took over the meeting, held a snap vote of those remaining, proclaimed themselves elected as a new Committee and said that agreement with Government had not been reached.
24.
The Secretary for the Civil Service informed the Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants Association of the allegations and asked for an explanation. This has not been given.
25.
On the 27th January 1977, after due notice had been given, a new Committee was elected by secret ballot and the first two of a series of meetings with the new Committee took place on 19th and 16th February 1977.
26.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.