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1 JUN 967
FLASH
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1096
2.
1186
My immediately preceding telegram.
Text of Statement.
Begins.
I wish to make a statement about Hong Kong.
1011
In the period between the 6 and 22 May there was a series of
disturbances. These arose originally from a labour dispute in two
factories. But what began as a genuine labour dispute was then taken up
and exploited by local communists for quite different ends. Organised
demonstrations were mounted as a direct and deliberate challenge to the
authority of the Hong Kong Government. In some cases these were orderly
but in others they led to disturbances involving police action. There
has been open incitement to violence and to disaffection.
3. Up to the 17 May the demonstrations were confined to parts of
Kowloon: thereafter they spread to Victoria on Hong Kong Island.
Processions, assemblies in public places and the sticking of posters on
public buildings and on Government House itself, although unlawful, were
tolerated so long as demonstrators remained orderly.
It became
necessary, however, on the 20 May, because of increasing rowdiness, to
disperse further unlawful assemblies and processions,
although up to the 22 May orderly groups of 20 persons were still
permitted to present petitions at Government House.
4.
Throughout the disturbances the Hong Kong police have succeeded in
controlling the situation with the minimum amount of force. Apart from
the firing of three revolver shots, wounding one man, by a constable
over whom petrol had been thrown no firearms have been used. The
greatest restraint has been exercised throughout by the police, despite
extreme provocation.
The Secretary of State and I have already paid public tribute to them in
Hong Kong, and I will do so again
now.
5. The casualties comprise 36 police and 70 demonstrators. Of these, two
police and 14 other casualties were admitted to hospital.
There has been only one death, that of a bystander who was killed by a
stone, 788 persons were arrested, of whom 42 have been released or
acquitted.
of the remainder
439 have been convicted of riot, unlawful assembly, assault, breaking
curfew and other offences, and 307 cases are pending.
CONFIDENTIAL
All persons arrested are being treated in the normal way in accordance
with the due process of the law. The Mouse may feel that these facts
contrast somewhat with other reports alleging, for example, that on 22
May "at least two hundred compatriots were killed or severely injured"
in Hong Kong and Kowloon,
6.
There have been no demonstrations since the 22 May. But there have been
a series of token stoppages in certain transport and supply services.
7. In Hong Kong itself there has been widespread and forthright public
support for the Government's measures to deal with violence,
intimidation and hooliganiam by a small minority, including messages of
support to the Governor from nearly 300 representative organisations.
8.
As regards the original labour dispute, my latest information is
that work at both the factories has now been resumed. I am in
consultation with the Governor about changes in the field of labour
relations which I think we would all feel would be timely. I have in
mind such matters as hours of work for women and young persons,
conciliation machinery and factory legislation.
9. For the future, we must hope that good sense will prevail. I am, of
course, in close and constant touch with the Governor. There have been
statements by the authorities in China alleging that the Hong Kong
Government have been acting out of motives of enmity towards China. I do
not need to say in this House that we, like all sections of opinion in
Hong Kong, desire friendly and good-neighbourly relations with China.
But the Government of Hong Kong has the duty to maintain peace, order
and good government in there for the benefit of all sections of the
community; and this task they must fulfil, and in it we shall give them
our complete support.
10. Finally, I wish to pay tribute to the calm and courageous leadership
during these difficult times of the Governor, Sir David Trench; to the
ability and the determination shown by the whole Hong Kong
Administration; and to the splendid and exemplary manner in which the
police hace acquitted themselves.
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Hong Minh
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My unimediately preceding telegram.
Text-
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31/5/67
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Mr. Carter.
Mr.
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Mr.
Mr.
Sir
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Minister of State
Secretary of State
Your Reference...
Date
DISTURBANCES IN HONG KONG
wish to make
DRAFT PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT
leading
of disturbancesto
crismally
There arose
! from a labour
dispute in two factories 0
X
I am taking this early opportunity-of-making a statement to-the- abol
House-on-the disturbances in Hong Kong.
Servien
In the period between 1206 and 22nd May there was a 2. There was an
industrial dispute in April in two-factories-
-producing artificial flowers But what began as a genuine labour
by local Communuts
thew
dispute was/taken up and exploited for quite different ends.
Organised demonstrations were mounted as direct and deliberate
challenge to the authority of the Hong Kong Government. In some cases
these were orderly but in others they have led to disturbances
involving police action. There has been open incitement to violence
and to disaffection through certain-newspapers-and-through-public_
address-systems-mounted in private buildings.
3.
Up to the 17th May the demonstrations were confined to parts of
Kowloon: thereafter they spread to Victoria on Hong Kong Island.
Processions, assemblies in public places and the sticking of posters
on public buildings and on Government House itself, although unlawful,
were tolerated so long as demonstrators remained orderly. It became
FURTHER ACTIONcessary, however, on the 20th May, because of increasing
rowdiness, to disperse further unlawful assemblies and processions,
although up
to the 22nd May orderly groups of 20 persons were still permitted to
present petitions at Government House.
4. Throughout the disturbances the Hong Kong police have succeeded in
controlling the situation with the minimum amount of force. Apart from
the firing of three revolver shots, wounding one man, by a
constaple over whom petrol had been thrown no firearms have been used.
The greatest Vary-greet/restraint has been exercised throughout by the
police,
(E6098) WI 42332-8537 50m 1/64 V.B. Gp 791
J
/despite
2
despite extreme provocation by way of shouted abuse, assault, incitement
to disaffection and attempts at intimidation. It has not been necessary
to call upon any military forces to help maintain order.
5. A feature throughout these disturbances has been the witały wildly
extravagant and misleading reports emanating from Communist sources
and unfortunately given credence and wide circulation by the authorities
iv Chuia as to the extent of the disturbances, the alleged "fascist
atrocities" of the Hong Kong.
that of course, very diffrau.
and the number and nature of the casualties involved. The facts are,
that
The casualties, comprise 36 police and 70 demonstrators. Of these, two
police and 14 other casualties were admitted to hospital. There has
been only one death, that of bystander who was killed by a stone.
788 persons were arrested, of whom 42 have been released or aquitted.
of the remainder 439 have been convicted of riot, unlawful assembly,
assault, breakding curfew and other offences, and 307 cases are pending.
All persons
arrested are being treated in the normal way in accordance with the due
process of the law.
6. There have been no demonstrations since the 22nd May. But the
troublemakers have been seeking to put pressure on the Hong Kong
authorities, and to disrupt the life of the community by instigating a
Leben
series of shert stoppages in certain transport and supply services. This
pattern has been evident over the last few days and may very well
continue.
7. One of the most striking and encouraging factors throughout these
difficult days in Hong Kong has been the widespread and forthright
public
support for the Government's measures to deal with violence,
intimidation and hooliganism by a small minority. The cheerfulness and
steadfastness with which the vast majority of the people of Hong Kong
have
gone about their daily business despite delays and many other forms of
inconvenience have been most heartening. The people of Hong Kong have
shown very clearly the value they attach to an orderly and peaceful
existence. Their support for the measures taken to restore law and order
has been voiced by a remarkably broad cross-section of public opinion
including nearly 300 representative organisations. The public has shown
its admiration for the bearing and conduct of the police by the generous
response made by organisations and individuals from all walks of live
to a fund for the higher education of children of the police which was
se up by public initiative.
1
h
18-
22nd May
despite extreme provocation.
The Secretary of State and I have already paid public tribute to them in
Hong Kong, and I will do so again now.
5.
hospital.
The casualties comprise 36 police and 70 demonstrators. Of these, two
police and 14 other casualties were admitted to There has been only one
death, that of a bystander who was killed by a stone.
788 persons were arrested, of whom 42 have
been released or aquitted. Of the remainder 439 have been convicted of
riot, unlawful assembly, assault, breaking curfew and other offences,
and 307 cases are pending All persons arrested are being treated in the
normal way in accordance with the due process of the Jaw. The House may
feel that these facts contrast somewhat with other reports alleging, for
example, that" at least two hundrest compatrid's were killed or Severely
injured" in Hong Kong and Kowloon.
6. There have been no demonstrations since the 22nd May, But, there have
been a series of token stoppages in certain transport and supply
services.
7. In Hong Kong itself there has been widespread and forthright public
support for the Government's measures to deal with violence,
intimidation and hooliganism by a small minority, including messages of
support to the Governor from nearly 300 representative organisa-
tions.
I
ன்
8.
3
As regards the original labour dispute,-I-an-happy to be able-
to tell the House that the sustained efforty of the Hong-Kong
Government's-Labour Department to bring the parties to the dispute
together-have been successful-and my latest information is that work
at both the factories of the Hong Kong Artificial Flower-Company-
has now been resumed. I am in consultation with the Governor about
Woned
would be timely.
changes in the field of labour relations which I think we all feel 5
have in mind such matters as house of work for women & Young persons,
Conciliation machinery and factory Lequlalini,
9. For the future, we must hope that good sense will prevail. I
am, of course, in close and constant touch with the Governor over-
measures that may need to be taken-to-deal-with-whatever-we-may-yet-i
There have been statements by the authorities in China
-have-to-face,
alleging that the Hong Kong Government have been acting out of motives
China
of enmity towards the Chinese-people. I do not need to say in this
House that we, xxh like all sections of opinion in Hong Kong,
0112
Barnestly desire friendly and good-neighbourly relations between--
Hong Kong and China. But the Government of Hong Kong has the duty
Mere to maintain peace, order and good government in Hong-Kong for the
benefit of all sections of the community; and this task they must
and in it ive shall que them our complete Support. fulfil, /We have
already made it clear that HAG stand four-square-
withthe-Hong Kong Government in discharging it. We have no intention
of abdicating this duty, and-the-Government-of-Hong Kong will.....
continue to have the full backing and assistance of Her Majesty's
Government in taking whatever measures may-be-necessary.
wuh to
10. Finally, I know that the whole House will wish to join-me-in-
paying tribute to the calm and courageous leadership during the se
difficult times the Governor, Sir David Trench; to the ability
the
and the determination shown by the whole Hong Kong Administration;
splendid &
and to the exemplary, indeed splendid, manner in which the police
have aquitted themselves. Be then, and indeed to all the ordinary
Xo
people-in-Hong Kong who are determined to stand fast to their
peaceful-way-of-life, the House will wish to send its message of-
admuation
understanding jand-support; and support.
C
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Reply urgently required
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1
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Confidential
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My immediately preceding telegram.
Text of notes for supplementaries.
BEGINS.
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END S-
31/5767
1 I can hardly be expected to respond
I
to demands" such
As
that we should
Х
Notes 1 of Supplementaries
Is it not the case that labour conditions in the Colony are the
underlying cause of the disturbances?
This is a mistaken view.
There is much in labour
relations in the Colony which we wish to alter, and, I have said, we are
in consultation with the Governor about this.
But the cause of these disturbances was clearly political; aim-on-the
part of the local Communists in Hong Kongman Andered it wor
attempt by the local communints to exert premure Hong Kong authorities.
as
wa am
Hak
What are we going to do about the "Four Demands (or "Five Demands")?
+
7
"As-I trave said, work has been resumed at the Artificial Flower
Factory, and we have various measures to improve labour-relations in
mind. And the processes
of the law-must clearly take their course. I think this must be our
response.
(unmediately stop all facist measmes in
At the Hàng nông Some time, an I have already
sand, without prompting from anyone,
We shall continue to do
What is wiensany
12
Have we plans to reinforce Hong Kong in case of need?
We do have such plans, as we have for all our territories.
Improve labour relations And in the meantime
we are determined
But, as my Rt. Hon. Friend said yesterday:",
11
[
Has the Governor got all the powers he needs2
Yes. We have had the fullest consultations with him,
to continue to uphold and there is complete agreement as to how the
situation The rule of law.
can best be handled.
To what extent has the life of the community been disrupted?
During the actual disturbances there was inevitable disruption, through
the closing of roads, the imposition of curfews, and the temporary
closure of some schools. The measures adopted by the authorities were
designed to cause as little disruption as possible to the life of the
Colony. The present series of token stoppages in public utilities and
supply services are also inevitably causing some disruption and
inconvenience.
Are the Hong Kong Government prepared to deal with more prolonged
stoppages in the public utilities?
The Hong Kong Government have made plans for this contingency.
The
|
This is not clear. But
What i
abundantly mun-tunately enly Foodint in that the Chinese
wit
their
authorities, The full force of propaganda media,
hare supported the local Framble-makers and Grossly
distorted Thme memuren taken
by The Hong Kong
Gent, to maintain fumble order.
Were the disturbances instigated by Peking?
The extent of Communist China's involvement
It is unfortunately the case that the official Chinese Communist news
agency has disseminated most inaccurate reports of events in Hong Kong;
and the Bank
of China in Hong Kong has operated a loudspeaker from its premises
broadcasting most inflammatory incitements to the local population,
including attempts to suborn or intimidate the police. These broadcasts
were effectively drowned. Generaly, the Communists in Hong Kong have
been
encouraged by the authorities on the mainland in their efforts to
disrupt the life of the-Colony,
What effects have the disturbances had on the economy
of Hong Kong?
Events of this kind are bound to have some effect, but so far Hong Kong,
with its splendid resilience, seems to be bearing up very well. But we
are watching the
situation very closely.
X
COPY FOR RECISTRATION
SECRET
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
RECES 5.217
ARCHIVI: No 173
Cypher
D. 1 June, 1967.
R. 1
02452
-1 July
PRIORITY SECRET
HWA 417.
NO. 744.
189
JUir
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.) Repeated Routine to Peking
No.291
11
to P.A. Singapore No. 148
Washington No.156
(S. of S. please pass all)
1172
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