CO_968_257_COMMUNIST_ACTIVITIES_IN_HONG_KONG_1952 — Page 48

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On 27th February Mr. Percy Chen enquired whether representatives of donors of

money collected in Canton, as distinct from a Comfort Mission would be allowed

entry following day. He was informed that if written application were made and

programme submitted consideration would be given to such request.

Comfort Mission

would not be admitted and even if permission were given to representatives of donors,

their visit could not take place before 9th March.

a.m.

that

This was position on night 29th February. Twould appear that meantime no

information had been given to Labour Unions or others interested regarding true

position. As far as they knew 1st March was the firm date for Comfort Mission's

arrival. On morning 1st March Govt sources were informed about 11.30

Chinese Chamber of Commerce had been advised by telephone from Canton that proposed

visit of Comfort Mission was postponed. Tis understood this information was passed to

Federation of Trade Unions. None the less it seems in light of subsequent events that

rank and file of unions and others concerned were kept in ignorance of true position

and consequently followed set programme by assembling at railway station at Kowloon

in time to meet three o'clock train on which they had been led to expect Mission

would arrive.

Meantime a welcome party had set out for border zone earlier in morning. This

party did not possess passes for frontier zone and were therefore held in its perimeter.

Mr. Y.K. Mok was however allowed proceed to border and later returned with his

welcome party to Kowloon railway station.

and crowds thereafter dispersed.

There he announced mission been postponed

and proceeded to do so

It now appears that feelings of frustration generated by concealment of facts

of situation were aggravated by spreading of false rumours that mission had actually

arrived and was being detained by police in border area. It also appears that group"

or groups in procession had come prepared to cause trouble This whole regrettable incident would not have occurred had organisations concerned been

given truth by Federation of Trade Unions concerning proposed visit of Mission;

more especially information on Saturday between 11.30

advised from Canton, proposed visit had been postponed and that party would not in

fact arrive."

and 3 o'clock that, as

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p.t.o.

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