ENG-1956 — Page 24

REVIEW

rapidity—it may be useful to examine some of the circum- stantial problems to which these predominantly immigrant settlements gave rise. It has been said of these people that nothing but land for them to farm would make them happy and contented members of society. There was no land, and if they were to remain and become good citizens they had to be weaned away from their discontent and transformed by some social alchemy from the mentality of the farmer to that of the industrial worker. Until that transformation was achieved, the seeds of discontent would remain. Around them they saw a flourishing community, well established and bat- tening on the post-war boom. The majority were far enough removed from that community in the economic and social sense, but they were still further removed in their political views. The Communist Government of China was rapidly establishing itself and it lost no time in trying to win over the whole-hearted allegiance of overseas Chinese. This met with some success, and, even where the Marxist doctrines had no appeal and the initial pogroms were roundly con- demned, there were many overseas Chinese who saw in the solidarity, determination and incorruptibility of the new régime, spiritual qualities from which a new and better China might eventually emerge when the first excesses had run their course, and when the exotic doctrines had been tempered by the Chinese genius for compromise. Both communists and non-communists were well represented in the settled com- munities of Hong Kong. On the one hand there was support for the new régime and on the other a cautious tolerance. There were still others who were frankly opportunist-watch- ful, uncommitted and hoping desperately to succeed in laying their bets immediately before the horses passed the post. It was the traditional policy of the Government to hold itself firmly aloof from the internal politics of China and to pre- vent China's battles being fought out in the streets of Hong Kong. The application of this policy had always required considerable dexterity but the situation which now presented