[1967 riots paper clippings] 11-20 June 1967 (English)

A coach from Canton at the Tsimshatsui Railway Station yesterday carried the slogan 'Blood debts must be repaid in blood'. - printed on 13 June 1967

SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Government departments ignore call for strike

A call by left-wing elements for a strike by workers of some Government departments fizzled out yesterday as practically no one responded.

Only eight out of a total of 2,000 workers of the Resettlement Department failed to report for work while postal services were maintained despite attempts to cause a disruption.

Other Government workers’ unions ignored the call to strike.

However, Dairy Farm workers walked out during the day but all the cowmen and young herdsmen returned to work by 6 pm following repeated warnings by the company that they would face instant dismissal should they not report back by 5 pm.

The company also warned the staff of other departments that they would be similarly dealt with if they did not turn up for work by 8 am today.

- Bright note -

In fact, events struck a bright note yesterday when the “Star” Ferry “Company resumed with a restricted service between Central District and Tsimshatsui shortly after noon.

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, the General Manager of the company, said the company would operate a similar service between 7 am and 9 pm today.

At the same time, the Green Island Cement Company Ltd announced its intention to reopen its Hunghom plant and invited applications for employment.

At North Kowloon Court, a magistrate said he would recommend to the authorities concerned deportation for two workers whom he convicted of charges of unlawful assembly.

Mr F. de F. Stratton said he was going to suggest the deportation order as the two were not born in the Colony and yet had shown “violent objection to Hongkong’s peaceful and orderly way of life and your desire to upset it.”

A check by the Department of Commerce and Industry disclosed that the retail price of rice had come down substantially and was now at a normal level, Mr T. D. Sorby, the Director, said in a radio interview last night.

Mr Sorby said this came about at the conclusion of a survey of 300 rice retail shops in the Colony.

Meanwhile, police reported last night that some posters were pasted on the fences of Shautaukok(sic) police station and fire station by some villagers after attending a meeting of the Rural Committee of Shautaukok(sic).

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

(Photo)

‘Star’ Ferry resumes with limited service

The “Star” Ferry Co, Ltd, yesterday resumed with a restricted service between Central and Tsimshatsui from noon to 9 pm.

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, the General Manager, said the company would operate a similar restricted service from 7 am to 9 pm today.

The limited service would continue for some time to come with hope for improvement, he said.

Except for two or three seamen, the re-registered ferry crews turned up successfully to report for duty in the morning as required.

The assurance of protection by Government and the company against threats had been effective, Mr Forsgate said.

After the suspension of the entire floating staff of 392 on Wednesday because of Tuesday night’s walkout, 126 had applied for reinstatement, during the stipulated period ending at 4 pm on Friday.

- By bus -

At the staff quarters in Tsing Chau Street, Hunghom, the majority of the re-registered workers gathered before 7 pm and were taken to the Kowloon pier in buses.

Some more turned up at the pier between 7 am and 8 am individually.

Preparation work to resume the service was then carried out in full swing behind the closed gates at the Kowloon pier.

At noon, three ferries, the Morning Star, Northern Star and the Day Star, went into service.

Uniformed policemen were present at both piers and guards of a private security service were posted on board the three ferries during the cross-harbour runs.

Security guards were also seen on board other idle ferries tied at the Kowloon piers.

During the day, a number of suspended workers turned up to apply for reinstatement and their cases were being considered, according to Mr Forsgate.

The company also advertised for more staff in, local newspapers and by midday it had received over 50 applications.

Mr M. A. R. Herries, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the “Star" Ferry Company, said in a radio interview yesterday that the management was very grateful to its loyal staff, who have stood behind the company in its difficulties.

“We're grateful to them and every step will be taken to safeguard their security. On behalf of the Board of Management of the “Star” Ferry Company, I would like to apologise to the general public of Hongkong for the inconvenience caused hem over the past three days and it has been, as they realise, quite out of our control.

“We will do all we can to restore normal services as soon as it is practicable but it may take a little time.”

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

GOVERNMENT SERVANTS PRAISED FOR DEVOTION TO DUTY DURING RIOTS

(Photo)

Mr M. D. I. Gass, the Colonial Secretary, has expressed his appreciation to Government servants for their devotion to duty during the recent disturbances.

In a personal letter to each member of the Civil Service, Mr Gass said: “I am particularly pleased to express my appreciation of the way in which you, through your devotion to duty, have been steadfastly carrying out Government’s service to the public during the recent disturbances.

 “This maintenance of normal service is contributing greatly to the calmness of the public at large.

“I now ask that you continue in this way. Please pay special attention to the prevention of rumours. Should you have any information which you think may help in maintaining peace and good order quickly tell your head of department or section directly.

“The performance of your duties and your example are going far to restoring the normal times which we all enjoy.”

In reply to Mr Gass’s letter, staff members of the Land Office, Registrar General’s Department, have pledged their firm support to Government for maintaining peace and order and restoring stability in Hongkong.

In a letter to Mr Gass, they stated: “As recently declared by the Registrar General, our motto in the Land Office Is “Business As Usual.’ Let us, therefore, assure you that we will continue to do our utmost to perform our duty in the maintenance of normal service to the public.

“We would like to take this opportunity to pledge our firm support to Government for the maintenance of peace and order. We have every confidence that Government will succeed in the restoration of the normal times which we all enjoy.”

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

POSTAL STRIKE FAILS TO MATERIALISE

The left-wing Hongkong Postal Workers’ Union failed yesterday to disrupt the local postal services and cause inconvenience to the public.

Its call on postmen and assistant postmen to stage a strike was ignored this morning.

Postmen reported for duty today despite the agitation.

The Postmaster General, Mr A. G. Crook, said: “I am very much impressed by the loyalty shown by my staff and the fact that 90 per cent of the postal workers have remained at their posts. I hope this will set a good example for all our colleagues.”

Posters were put up in eight resettlement estates in Kowloon on Friday night calling on workers to go on strike yesterday. However, only eight out of a total of 2,000 workers of the Resettlement Department failed to report for duty.

A left-wing newspaper reported that four Government workers’ unions had called on workers in public utilities and in Government service to go on a general strike as from yesterday.

The Wen Wei Pao stated that the statement was made by Anti-British Persecution Struggle Committees of the Marine Department Chinese Employees’ Union; Government, Armed Forces and Hospitals’ Chinese Workers’ Union; Hongkong Postal Workers’ Union and Hongkong Government Waterworks Chinese Employees’ Union.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

Reporter jailed

A reporter from a Chinese newspaper was sentenced to two years in jail by Mr P. M. Corfe in Central Court yesterday when he was convicted of riotous assembly.

Hui Wan-Ching 許雲程 (36) was one of five people who were convicted “on the clearest possible evidence.”

The others were Chai Shu-kwan (44) and To Hui-law (29), both bank workers. The last two were women -- Li Yuk-fong (31), a bookshop foki(sic), and Hui Hung-lui (38), a bank employee. They were also sentenced to two years in jail.

In passing sentences Mr Corfe said all five defendants were mature persons and all were in the first group of 28 who arrived at the Hongkong Hilton that day.

The defendants acted as leaders of the group trying to break a police cordon “whose restraint was very admirable,” Mr Corfe said.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

Riots in H.K. directly political -- The Times

London, June 10.

The Times said today the latest outburst of rioting in Hongkong “is directly political and not the product of labour grievances.”

The newspaper said in an editorial the change was confirmed by the tone of the Chinese press.

It added: “A month ago the response from Peking to Hongkong rioting was violent in manner but it demanded only retraction and apology from the British authorities: their tenure and status was not questioned. That line has since been crossed.

“The Canton paper this week recounts the history of Hongkong: Old grievances and new hatred are absolutely innumerable. If this is not the time for revenge, what other time are we waiting for? You corrupt and declining British imperialism… you are but an old paper cat.

It would be hasty to read this kind of language as marking a considered change for policy…

“Nevertheless, there is a change of manner and a declared intention to keep Hongkong on the boil.”

Meanwhile, China has urged the “patriotic Chinese of Hongkong to unite more closely and redouble their effort to tear the paper tiger of British imperialism to pieces.”

Radio Peking warned the British not to be “stupid” and continue antagonising the Chinese. It said “if the British continue to antagonise the Chinese they will be heading to destruction.”---Reuter.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

Walkout at Dairy Farm

Intimidated workers of the Dairy Farm Ice and Cold Storage Co, Ltd staged a walkout yesterday but after a stern warning by the company, all adult cowmen and young herdsmen at the Pokfulam farm returned to their posts.

A spokesman for the company said last night that it was encouraging to hear that the farm workers had resumed work.

He also assured consumers that the company would make every effort to ensure deliveries of milk today.

The company gave a warning that farm workers who failed to report for work by 5 pm yesterday and other staff who did not turn up by 8 am today, faced instant dismissal.

The action was taken in full support of Government’s tough policy towards the extremists, the spokesman said.

The spokesman noted that despite pressure and intimidation, 40 per cent of the farm staff loyally supported the company and remained on duty. The rest of the staff returned to work by 5 pm.

The walkout was staged without warning at 2.45pm.

The move to return to work had safeguarded the entire herd of 1,200 pedigree milking cows, the spokesman said.

He added, however, that because of the recent token strike the milk yield from the company’s Pokfulam farm dropped considerably and as a result, fresh milk supplies were seriously restricted.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 3)

‘Peking demands unreasonable’
OVERSEAS CHINESE CONFIDENT
H.K. will maintain its status quo, they say
From KENNETH PANG

Although concerned and disappointed at the recent news from Hongkong, overseas Chinese are confident that both Peking and the British authorities will maintain the economic and political safety of the Colony.

Nearly all people share the view that the demands and activities of the left-wing are unreasonable. They believe that Peking is indulging in a political campaign only and that neither side will emerge with any great victory.

I have talked with Chinese in New York, Montreal and Toronto, and came to the conclusion that most people believe that Peking would not be so unwise as to take Hongkong at the present time but would try to use it for as long as possible.

Some pro-Nationalists believe that further demands on the Colony would lead to a reduced trade income for Peking. No doubt the riots could deal a heavy blow to Hongkong’s economy, but any losses suffered by Hongkong would mean losses also for Peking. These simple facts were also well-known to the Communists, they said.

Following the troubles in Macao late last year, many overseas Chinese that I met in San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver wondered if Peking would also “put the heat” on Hongkong. They repeatedly questioned the safety of Hongkong, although few believed that Peking would be so unwise as to stir up too much hostility to the British authorities and doubted if the people of the Colony would support any such moves.

- Nationalism -

Talking of the recent events, some Chinese people felt that the events indicated a resurgent nationalism, although they agreed that Peking’s entry into the Colony’s affairs was unwise. “I don't think Peking will force the Hongkong Government too far,” a Toronto Chinese remarked.

By far the most popular interpretation of the recent events seems to be that the object of the Communists is to force Britain to stop allowing U.S. Navy ships using Hongkong, noting that Peking has charged that the Colony was being made a U.S. base for the war in Vietnam.

While many have greeted the news from Hongkong with concern of late, no-one expects the present political situation to change.

Expressing confidence in the ability of the Government to handle the problem, the majority of people I have spoken to are confident that the central Chinese government would not be so silly as to encourage more urban unrest, and did not aim to crack the British nerves with polemics as was done in Macao. The speculation was that Peking only wanted a political victory for herself.

However, quite a number of people were shocked when the disorders continued for several days. “I’m upset by the TV news from Hongkong,” a young man who planned to go back to the Colony to marry, said.

For most Chinatown people the pictures and stories of the rioting were a horrible nightmare. With their ignorance and limited education, many unknowingly circulated rumours that the Communists were going to capture Hongkong.

- Rumours -

Various rumours have been reaching here and have caused some uneasiness. It has been said that Hongkong people were making preparations to leave the Colony “Ships and planes can no longer go to Hongkong,” a woman told me the other day.

Letters from people living in the Colony have had a reassuring effect, however, and their contents are widely discussed among friends who have been able to spread the news that most people have supported the Government in its efforts to combat the disorders.

A young restaurant man had just returned to New York from Hongkong, where he had been married. was(sic) able to quell some rumours. He was living in Tokwawan when the initial rioting began last month. “The situation was not as grave as people thought," he said. “I did not even know that a curfew order was imposed on the first two nights. I did not see any demonstrators near where I was staying.” He emphasised that he left because his visa had expired, not because of the troubles.

A Hongkong journalist who arrived in Toronto recently had a similar story, and similarly denied that the disorders and his departure were connected.

Whatever the people have been saying, authoritative newspapers such as the New York Times and the Toronto Globe and Mall have pointed out clearly that there was no reason to fear for the safety of the Colony. “Both governments will certainly try to retain its present position,” a Globe and Mail story said.

When news of the shut-down of the Green Island Cement Co was heard, some people prophesied what would happen next. The troubles were seen as part of a propaganda campaign to seek political control of Hongkong. “What the Communist leaders want is to bring the cultural revolution to Hongkong,” one former Nationalist said. He suggested that it might also be a move to divert attention from the failures of the cultural revolution within China.

- Concern -

With growing concern, overseas Chinese eagerly followed daily newspaper and TV news reports from the Colony. Developments were greeted and felt with heavy hearts. Everywhere in Chinatown, when Chinese gathered together, the talk quickly came round to events in the Colony, exchanging news, opinions, gossip and rumours.

It came as something of a shock to those who called Hongkong “home” when Peking came out in support of the trouble-makers in the Colony. It was a great surprise to those who believed that the Communist government would not start trouble there.

Four pro-Nationalist newspapers in New York and one in Toronto reminded their readers to guard against claims of a Communist victory in Hongkong. Said the United Journal (the leading Chinese paper in New York’s Chinatown): "As usual, Peking is aiming at political goals. To divert overseas Chinese attention, Peking tries to win a victory similar to that in Macao.

In an analysis of the situation, the paper said: “Actually, Peking did not want to step in… or back up left-wing workers in Macao but did so because of the cultural revolution and the purge. It was necessary… to commit the same action when Red workers started riots in Hongkong. It would have let off more speculation and perhaps would have lost face for Peking if it had not done so.”

Furthermore, the paper suggested, the Peking action was only a gesture of support because the Chinese leaders did not want too much trouble at a time when they were themselves facing internal difficulties.

An editorial in the Shing Wah Daily News, the only Chinese newspaper in Toronto and Montreal, expressed confidence that the present situation would be maintained. “The majority of Hongkong residents have experienced the bitter life under Communist control. People escaped from China, and finding themselves satisfied with circumstances in Hongkong, set up their businesses there. It is impossible that they have turned into Red supporters to oppose the Hongkong Government. Only those uneducated workers who were out of work were easily influenced by the Communists, and they are few in number,” it said.

- Appeal -

In another edition, the paper appealed to the people of the Colony to unite to oppose any Communist entry into the Colony. “Don’t give way... Concessions mean further trouble,” it warned.

David Oancia, the Globe and Mail correspondent in Peking, suggested in a May 20 report that one possible reason for moderation in Hongkong was the Colony’s immense economic value to China. “Chinese exports to the Crown Colony bring in foreign currency earnings of $500 million to $600 million annually---more than enough to pay for all her food and a sizeable portion of her machinery imports,” he wrote.

It is not only the overseas Chinese, but the Canadian and American people, too, who have confidence in the Hongkong Government Overseas Chinese are nevertheless still uneasy about the situation and all hope that conditions will quickly return to “the good old days.” In some churches, prayers were being said. “We hope that Hongkong will be back to normal as soon as possible,” the people were saying.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 4)

Hate Campaign in Macao

Paris, June 10.

Leftists in Macao have called for a “hate, despise and scorn” movement against British-U.S. “imperialism”, the New China News Agency reported today.

The call was made by the standing committee set up by the pro-Communist Chinese in Macao to support and assist Hongkong leftists in their “anti-British struggle.”-AF.

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SCMP, 11 Jun 1967 (Page 4)

RESIDENTS BACK MOVE TO DEPORT RIOTERS

Government’s decision to deport troublemakers is receiving strong support from the public.

This was the opinion of all but one of several residents who yesterday expressed views on Government's handling of the Colony’s current problems.

Comments on the deportation policy varied from “it's a wonderful idea” to “it has many emphatic support.” The only person who did not give the move her blessing was Mrs Elsie Elliott.

To gauge public opinion on the problems which are occupying the minds of most local residents, three questions were yesterday put to members of the public.

The first sought opinions on the deportation policy, the second asked for suggestions for dealing with the current situation and the third dealt with the question of closure or suspension of newspapers which were publishing inflammatory matter.

- “Never happy” -

On the question of deportation, Mrs Elliott said: “I am never happy about deportation because I know of cases where this has been abused in the past in order to try to get certain people out of the way.”

Mrs Elliott felt that too many people were condemning the troublemakers without Investigating who started the trouble and how these people were connected with the troublemakers.

Most of the people approached felt that Government had the current situation well under control.

Mr Edward S Yanne, a solicitor, suggested that existing legislation should be “tightened up” to render it more effective to deal with the situation.

A doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, advocated the introduction of new legislation specifically to deal with the troublemakers as she felt that existing legislation was insufficient.

Dr J. R. Jones, an old China hand, said that he would like to see Government “dig up the nest of subversive conspirators” and deal with them.

“Heaven help us!” she expostulated when asked whether a commission of Inquiry, similar to the one which investigated last year's riots should be set up.

- From London -

However, she advocated the establishment of a commission of inquiry appointed from London.

Wing Cmdr W. D. F. Williams, principal of a vocational training centre, said that while he felt Government had the matter well in hand, he believed that the riots had brought certain problems to the fore which required immediate action.

“One is the question of youth. Too many words have been spouted on this subject and there has not been enough action.

“More” recreation and further education facilities---these are problems which must be dealt with now, otherwise there will be trouble even after the Communists have gone,” he said.

Asked whether they would advocate the closure of newspapers publishing inflammatory matter, most residents hesitated before replying and said that this was the most difficult question.

Most people felt that closure was an extreme step and while they believed that some action should be taken to deal with such newspapers, they did not like the idea of suppression or censorship of the press.

Mrs Mamle Howe, executive director of a local antique shop, reflected the general opinion when she said: “Closing down newspapers seems to be a bit drastic but I do think something should be done because one cannot allow these papers to fabricate stories with impunity. I think the papers should be taken to court.”

Mr Yanne said: “Every: day certain Chinese newspapers print things which are absolutely libellous against Government and various people. I think legislation should be passed to put a stop to this seditious libel. I hate to see the freedom of the press curtailed in any way and closing of newspapers should only be used as a last resort.”

Mr Szeto Wai, a well-known local architect, suggested that newspapers should be taken to court if they printed lies.

“Hongkong is a place where law and order should prevail. Newspapers should publish the truth and if they don't they should be taken to court.”

- Legislation -

Mr N. V. A. Croucher, a local stockbroker, said that as legislation had been passed to deal with inflammatory posters, similar legislation should be initiated to deal with newspapers that published inflammatory articles.

Wing Cmdr Williams did not advocate the closure of such newspapers unless they were printing articles which incited people to violence.

“One of the reasons why we are against the Communists is because we believe in free speech and democracy. Papers should be entitled to publish what they like as long as they are not hurting other people. If, however, these papers do incite violence they should be warned that if they continue to do so they will be closed down.”

Mrs Elliott felt that Ieft-wing newspapers were not the only papers in Hongkong that printed “a lot of lies.” She said that she knew of at least one English paper which did this.

“If, however, it can be proved that a paper is publishing lies then the paper should be taken to court and prosecuted in the normal way, so that it has a chance to defend itself,” she said.

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SCMP, 12 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Colony Weathers Labour Disruptions
RESTRICTED STAR FERRY SERVICE TO CONTINUE

The Colony appears to have taken in its stride left-wing attempts to disrupt the labour scene.

Yesterday, spokesmen of various companies which had experienced labour disturbances reported they had their respective situations well in hand.

The “Star” Ferry Co, Ltd yesterday continued its restricted service between Tsimshatsui and Edinburgh Place at 7 am, notifying passengers that the service would run for 14 hours ending at 9 pm.

Three vessels engaged in the cross-harbour runs were operated by crews who had re-registered for work during the last two days.

Mr H. M, G. Forsgate, General Manager of the company, said it was quite probable that the restricted service would be maintained for at least another week, possibly two weeks.

He explained that less than half of the 390 floating crew members of the company had been reinstated for work.

“We will have to recruit new crew members and train them before we can resume normal service,” he said.

- Appreciation -

Mr Forsgate also said that there was no possibility of resuming the Hunghom-to-Edinburgh Place service “for some time yet.”

He added that the company was showing its appreciation to the workers who had come back to work by not deducting their pay for the days they had absented themselves from duty.

Meanwhile, services of the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company and all other public transport on both sides of the harbour were running normally.

At a meeting yesterday officials of the Dairy Farm, Ice and Cold Storage Company pledged to maintain its dally service to the community---but on a restricted scale---despite intimidation of loyal workers.

Since the unofficial strike among Dairy Farm workers at Pokfulam on Saturday, the company has suffered serious disruption, Joss of business and damage to cattle and equipment.

In its ultimatum to the management, the left-wing dairy union enphasised that they were not striking against the Dairy Farm, but only as a protest against “the atrocities of Government.”

The union threatened serious consequences to the company if it continued to oppose the workers and to co-operate with the police.

- Milk Delivery -

A Dairy Farm spokesman said the company's services affected by the strike were delivery of milk---except to hospitals and institutions---ice production, including the supplies for the Colony’s fishing, fleet and markets; and storage and home deliveries.

However, adequate milk supplies were available at normal Dairy Farm retail stores.

The restricted services were being maintained by workers who had remained loyal despite intimidation by extremists, the spokesman said.

The majority of the Pokfulam farm staff had returned to duty.

The spokesman reiterated the company’s firm policy towards extremists, adding that strikers not returning to work were forthwith dismissed.

“The company will consider applications for re-employment, but reserves the right not to re-employ, and to engage new staff, as required.

“All possible steps are being taken to protect the loyal staff and the company property and to resume normal service,” the spokesman said.

The Hongkong and China Gas Company explained that the low gas pressure on the Island yesterday evening was due to a mechanical fault at its production plant.

A spokesman for the company stressed that the breakdown had nothing to do with the labour situation.

However, it was hoped that pressure would be back to normal by this morning, he added.

A spokesman of Taikoo Dockyards reported that the yard which had been closed last Thursday morning following labour disturbances, would remain closed “for re-organisation purposes” as long as the company fell it was necessary.

“The labour force will be advised when they are required to come back to work,” he said.

Mr J. S. Brooker, General Manager of the Green Island Cement Company, said former workers had been invited to make applications until June 15 for reinstatement.

“After that we will re-assess the situation and if satisfactory, we could start opening the Hunghom factory by stages any time after June 15," he said.

A watchman of Gloucester Building reported to the police that the shop window of the China National Aviation Corporation on the ground floor of the building which has been displaying pro-Communist propaganda, was found broken at 4 am yesterday.

- Protest -

The Head of the New China News Agency in Hongkong sent a telegram to the Governor on Saturday night, protesting against “new severe provocation by the Hongkong-British authorities,” according to the leftist newspaper, Ta Kung Pao.

Mr Leung Wai-lam, head of the Agency, protested against recent police actions at the Electrical and Mechanical Depot of the Public Works Department, the Hongkong and China Gas Company's depot, both in Tokwawan, and the Silver Theatre in Kun Tong.

He also protested against the “barbarous assault, arrest, unlawful imprisonment of workers at the depots and the theatre, and prohibition of the display of posters in Hongkong.

The newspaper said the “Struggle Committee for the Anti-Hongkong-British Persecution” had made a similar protest.

The Chinese language newspaper, Truth Daily, reported yesterday that electricity generators were being secretly installed in two local Communist newspapers as leftist workers were said to be plotting to disrupt the Colony's electricity supply.

The report said the installation began about a week ago, and the authorities were keeping an eye on it.

It continued: “People have no difficulty in linking the installation with the three-hour strike by workers of the China Light and Power Company’s Hunghom generating plant on May 25.

“Though electricity supply was not disrupted by the strike, in fact left-wingers have it in their minds.”

Another right-wing report said a total of 140 pieces of luggage belonging to two leading left-wingers, who were members of the so-called “Struggle Committee for Anti-Hongkong-British Persecution,” had made arrangements for the delivery of their luggages with a local travel agent.

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SCMP, 12 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Police Fund Being Closed

Mr T. D. Sorby, the Director of Commerce and Industry, said yesterday that the Acting Commissioner of Police felt that contributions by people, firms and organisations in Hongkong to the Police Children’s Education Fund might now draw to a close, at least until the fund has been properly constituted by law.

The fund was already very large (over $3m) and its income would be sufficient to provide in considerable measure assistance towards the objectives for which it had been set up.

Mr Sorby said that he had therefore discontinued the temporary departmental machinery for receiving on-the-spot donations. Contributions from overseas were still-coming in.

Following Mr Sorby's announcement, Mr E. C. Eates, the Acting Commissioner of Police, thanked the public for their contributions to the fund, and said they would be used to the best advantage.

He added that the Force, encouraged by the support of law-abiding citizens, would continue to provide the best possible service and to create conditions in which “we can all live at peace with our neighbours under a law enforced humanely, fairly and without fear of favour.”

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SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Bid to Disrupt HK’s Food Supplies
SEQUEL TO FAILURE OF STRIKE CALL

China’s official marketing agencies working through their agents here decided yesterday to suspend supplying fresh pork, poultry and fresh water fish to dealers on Hongkong island for one day today.

It was learned late last night that supplies of livestock to merchants on Hongkong side were stopped yesterday afternoon while slaughter houses in Kowloon were reported to have more pigs and cattle than were necessary for markets today.

Despite repeated attempts to disrupt the local food market, agitators last week failed to organise a “voluntary” strike among stall operators holding Government licences.

China mainland suppliers decided to take action themselves and suspend their supplies, tentatively, for one day.

Nevertheless, the token suspension would have little, if any, effect on local households as many had bought more than average food supplies for yesterday's Dragon Boat Festival.

Meanwhile, local supplies of fresh water fish from the New Territories, salt-water fish from local fishermen as well as fresh vegetables and poultry from local farms were described as “plentiful” by marketing sources.

- Imported Foods -

Imported fruits, vegetables, frozen meat, and poultry could supplement local requirements for a long period, the sources said.

A quick survey by a S.C.M. Post reporter yesterday evening on the island revealed that many fresh food stalls could hardly clear their day’s stocks due to heavier than usual purchases before the Dragon Boat Festival.

Food stall operators on Hongkong island, who had received “hand-bills” asking them to take “a day’s rest,” said they had no choice, if their buyers failed to obtain fresh supplies from the wholesale market this morning.

They were of the opinion that only the poorer people would suffer as they had no means of keeping their food supplies fresh at home.

An official of the Hongkong Meat Merchants Association said they would advise all stall operators to carry on their business as usual with whatever stocks in hand, and urged them to find new sources of supply to fight against “disruptive tactics.”

- Manipulation -

He said that official assistance should be given to protect importers against any monopolistic measures.

Recently, about 200 pigs from Indonesia had to be sold under cost due to price manipulation by one foreign dealer, he added.

Government yesterday urged all retailers in their own interest to ignore any pressure that may be put on them.

Police will be keeping a close watch on markets and hawker areas today. Any attempt at intimidation should be reported to the police who will take action to protect the general public doing their legitimate business.

A Government spokesman said some stall holders had received threats that they would not be allowed to purchase food-Stuffs from China in future if they did not obey instructions to stop their business.

All stall holders and hawkers should ignore these meaningless threats which could not be carried out if all retailers refused to give in to them, the spokesman said.

- Intimidated -

Yesterday, the majority of the 60,000 licensed hawkers of Hongkong went about their usual business despite a left-wing call for a strike.

Mr Solomon Rafeek, Urban Councillor and a member on the Council's Hawker Select Committee, said he was told hawkers were intimidated, but many of them refused to co-operate and went about their usual business.

He said some hawkers who depended on mainland products had to give in, but they managed to outwit the trouble-makers by moving to another area to sell their wares or produce.

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SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

THE LAW AND STONE THROWING

Government last night cautioned the public not to take the law into its own hands despite the provocative nature of left-wing posters.

Commenting on reports that windows of places displaying inflammatory posters had been broken, a Government spokesman said that while it could be appreciated that the sight of posters and other inflammatory material would anger decent members of the public, Government could not condone or countenance action of this kind.

“As human beings we might well be tempted to compliment anyone who reacted violently to such provocation.

“But we cannot in fact take up that attitude. We cannot allow anyone to take the law into his own hands in that way. There is a law and it does deal with inflammatory posters. The public may safely leave these things to be dealt with by the law,” the spokesman added.

During the weekend a show: window of the CNAC office in Gloucester Building and the glass door of the branch office of the Sin Hua Trust, Savings and Commercial Bank, in Wanchai, were smashed.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Twenty-six Deported To Taiwan

Twenty-six Chinese were deported to Taiwan yesterday on board the British ship Anking.

Under every police escort, the 26 were taken in vans to the ship at West Point Wharf shortly before she sailed.

It was learned that they were rightwing elements who had been involved in political activities.

A Government spokesman said they were “not connected with the recent riots.”

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Left-wing Report Put In Proper Perspective

A report in left-wing newspapers that 400 motorised fishing junks from Hongkong had taken part in a demonstration in Po On county in China, was put in its proper perspective yesterday by Mr E. P. Ho, the Assistant Director of Fisheries.

The report had claimed that the fishing junks converged on Po On from 14 areas of Hongkong last Sunday, flying red flags. The demonstration was said to have lasted an hour and a half.

Mr Ho pointed out that a very large number of vessels in Hongkong's fishing fleet held Chinese licences in addition to their Hongkong licences. These craft often carried the two registration numbers side by side.

“We have information to the effect that the owners and crews of these vessels with dual registration were threatened with the loss of their Chinese licences, and with various other forms of punishment, if they did not take part in the demonstration,” said Mr Ho.

“In fact the blackmail methods followed the same sinister pattern that has emerged all too frequently in recent weeks.

“Naturally these fishermen are placed in a very awkward predicament Their livelihood is dependent on the extent of the fishing reserves open to them.

“It is, nevertheless, significant to note that only 400 vessels were quoted to have taken part in this demonstration when there are more than 6,000 mechanised fishing craft operating out or Hongkong.”

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

MASS DISMISSALS BY H.K. FIRMS AND GOVERNMENT
Move To Curb Work Stoppages

(Photo at right)

Plagued by a series of work stoppages, Government and commercial firms yesterday decided to adopt stern measures to deal with the situation.

Those who failed to report for work were dismissed.

A large number of workers were dismissed by the Hongkong and China Gas Company and the Dairy Farm, Ice and Cold Storage Company Ltd while Government laid off 112 postal workers.

The Hongkong and China Gas Company dismissed all shift workers who were absent from duty without permission on Sunday, and all those who failed to report for work yesterday.

A notice put up at the company's Tokwawan plant said the company would be prepared to consider applications for re-employment by workmen attending in person at their former place of work today.

- Restricted -

A spokesman for the Dairy Farm said last night that many staff members did not report for duty as instructed. He said they would be dismissed although applications for re-employment would be considered.

In the meantime, he added, every effort was being made to maintain service to the public, but it might be restricted for several days.

“Inconvenience to the community is regretted, especially home deliveries and essential supplies of ice to the Colony’s fishing fleet,” the spokesman said.

“Despite pressures and intimidation, many farm staff loyally supported the company and remained on duty. Later, 100 per cent of the farm staff had returned to duty, but this was not sufficient to safeguard the entire herd of 1,200 pedigree milking cows.”

The spokesman explained: “The two-shift strike of two weeks ago seriously damaged more than 200 animals in milk, which farm management, aided by the Dairy Farm's loyal workers, are striving night and day, to save.

“Because of that strike, the milk yield from the Pokfulam farm dropped considerably and, as a result, fresh milk supplies have been seriously restricted.

- Considerable -

“It is not possible at this stage, to determine accurately the extent of the damage to our cows, but it is already quite considerable. Our milking cows must be milked, three times a day. Any delay in this cycle causes internal damage and a reduction of the milk yield.

“It Is only because of the loyalty of our workers who remained on duty throughout the crisis that the entire herd has not been gravely damaged.”

The 112 workers of the Post Office Department dismissed for failing to report for duty last Saturday and yesterday represented only six per cent of the staff.

All those dismissed were uniformed staff and include 69 postmen employed on delivery duties in various parts of the Colony.

The Postmaster General said substitute staff were being used as far as possible to cover deliveries normally performed by the dismissed men.

Delivery of mail might be delayed in a few areas, particularly in the Kowloon City and Kun Tong areas.

The Postmaster General said he would re-establish normal duties in those areas as quickly as possible.

He said cases of intimidation would be fully investigated and every consideration would be given to the re-employment of the staff in these cases.

- Water -

The Water Authority announced that any staff involved in the walkout from the Argyle Street depot last week must apply in writing to the Secretary, Waterworks Office, before Saturday, if they wanted favourable consideration to be given to their re-engagement.

Of the 246 workers who walked out from the Depot on Thursday and who were subsequently dismissed, 70 had already written to apply for re-employment and would be interviewed very soon, a Government spokesman said.

Of the 24 workers from the depot who did not take part in Thursday’s walkout but failed to show up for work on Friday and Saturday, seven reported for duty yesterday and had been allowed to work immediately, the spokesman said.

The Hon A. M. J. Wright, the Director of Public Works, inspected the departmental workshops in Sung Wong Toi Road and the Waterworks Depot in Argyle Street yesterday.

- Ferries -

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, General Manager of the “Star” Ferry Company, has sent a letter to about 100 members of the floating staff who have not yet reported for duty.

The letter said the Company was still prepared to consider applications for re-instatement. Workers wishing to do so should go to the Kowloon Pier Office in person.

Those who failed to do so would be considered as dismissed.

Mr Forsgate also said that a remarkable number of people responded to advertisements in Chinese newspapers for positions in the deck and engine room departments.

“We had 200 applications seeking positions and we have mobilised a team who are working to process their applications.”

“Successful applicants will be trained and this will take some time as many of them have no suitable training.”

After the suspension of the entire floating staff 126 workers applied for re-instatement during the stipulated period ending at 4 pm on Friday.

Security guards were still on board ferries and would be maintained until there were no signs of further intimidation of the crews, Mr Forsgate said.

The company was able to mobilise five ferries to cope with the rush hours and four in the normal period yesterday.

- Five Vessels -

The restricted service between 7 am and 9 pm has been operated by three ferries since Saturday. Five ferries will be in services as from today.

The possibility of resuming the Hunghom route was remote at present, Mr Forsgate said.

A donation of $100 was received from a Chinese resident for the re-registered crews of “Star ferries.

At Taikoo Dockyard, the gates were still closed yesterday---the fourth day of the lockout for “re-organisation.”

A Chinese language newspaper, the Truth Daily, reported on Sunday that electricity generators were being secretly installed in two Communist newspaper offices in preparation for a move to disrupt the Colony’s electricity supply.

However, a spokesman for the Hongkong Electric Company said that he had heard of no move on the part of leftists to intimidate workers of his company.

- Non-stop -

We had a four-hour sit-down strike by our Workers last Thursday but we continued to supply electricity to everyone.

“We have not heard of any new move for a strike among our workers, but if there should be a strike, our expatriate staff and our staff engineers will continue to operate our North Point plant,” he said.

A spokesman for the China Light and Power Company said that he had not heard of any impending strike among workers of his company.

(Photo at bottom)

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

More Donations To Police Fund

More donations have been made towards the Police Children’s Education Fund in appreciations of police efforts in maintaining peace in Hongkong.

Four separate donations, totalling $1,500 were received by the Shamshuipo Police Station yesterday.

They were from the Free Workers of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company ($280), the Lui Clansmen’s Association ($850), the Tai Hand Tung Residents’ Association ($250) and the Kwan Yick Fraternity Association ($120).

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

More Support For Government

Fifteen more organisations yesterday added their names to the long list of organisations which have publicly announced their support for Government’s firm stand in maintaining law and order.

This brings to 557 the total number of organisations which have so far recorded their support.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Pledge By Transport Workers’ Unions

Three transport workers’ unions yesterday pledged to continue serving the public and to foil any move to paralyse local transport.

They condemned unruly leftwing elements for making use of labour-management disputes to create disorder in the Colony.

The three unions were the Tramways Free Workers’ Union, the Hongkong China Motor Bus Company’s Workers’ Union and the Motor Bus Workers’ General Union.

A statement issued by the unions said the workers were determined to repulse all threats and intimidation. They would also fulfil their duties to provide transport for the public.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Questioned For Pulling Down Poster

A man who pulled down a left-wing poster outside a Communist bank in Tokwawan last Friday afternoon was taken into the bank and questioned for more than two hours, it was learned yesterday.

A police spokesman said that at 1.40 pm last Friday a man pulled down a poster outside the Sin Hua Bank in Pak Tai Street, Tokwawan.

“He was taken into the bank by the bank staff who started to question him. The police are making inquiries into the incident” the spokesman said.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Acquitted Of Incitement To Riot

Yeung Tung-hung (26), an Indonesian Chinese who had pleaded not guilty to a charge of incitement to riot, was acquitted by Mr N. P. Power in Central Court yesterday.

Mr Power observed that Yeung could have been mistaken for someone else when he was arrested.

The prosecution had alleged that on May 21, Yeung was leading a mob of more than 1,500, shouting slogans and in citing them to throw stones, bottles and mud at the police.

Yeung testified that he was on his way to Ko Shing Theatre in Queen's Road West to see a play. He said he had been given a ticket by a Wong Pang-kwai who was too busy to go himself.

Wong gave evidence yesterday in Yeung’s defence.

In another case, Mr Power jailed three men and two women for eight months for riotous assembly. The defendants were Chan Ki-keung (21), Lam Kuk-shun (18) and Lo Wai-shing (43), Lau Kin-wah (19) and Mak Wai-lan (24).

The case against Hui Ki-hang (31), Chan Hung (28) and Yin Man-leung (32), accused of unlawful assembly, was adjourned to Thursday. Ying said he wanted to call his employer to testify.

In another court, Mr P. M. Corfe dismissed a charge of unlawful assembly against Tang Fan (48), a box maker.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Admits Having Posters

A book-keeper was charged before Mr J. J. Rhind in South Kowloon Court yesterday with having in his possession inflammatory posters and pasting inflammatory posters on the wall of the Yaumati Kaifong Welfare Association.

Au Tsan (34), of Flat 3, 17th floor, 565 Nathan Road, admitted possession of the posters but denied that he had pasted them on a wall.

Hearing was fixed for Friday.

***

SCMP, 13 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Obstructed Police: Usher Jailed
DEPORTATION TO BE RECOMMENDED

An usher of the Silver Theatre in Kun Tong was yesterday sentenced to one year’s jail by Mr F. de. F. Stratton in North Kowloon Court for obstructing the police in the removal of inflammatory posters.

Mr Stratton told the usher, Fung Kwai (28), that he would recommend deportation because Fung was not born in Hongkong and had shown violent objections to the Colony’s peaceful and orderly way of life.

Fung, who had pleaded guilty to the charge last Saturday, said in mitigation that he was merely an employee in the cinema.

- Broadcast -

Mr D. R. Harris, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police, said that a week ago inflammatory speeches were broadcast from the cinema's foyer. In the evening, a police officer telephoned the theatre and told a Mr Tang, who answered the telephone, to stop broadcasting inflammatory speeches or the police would take action.

All was quiet outside the cinema on the following day, but inside the cinema, inflammatory speeches were broadcast ten minutes before each show. This continued until last Friday when the police raided the theatre.

- Alarm Bell -

When the police raided the premises, at 11.20 pm, an alarm bell rang and some of the people inside tried to run to the roof.

Nine men were arrested on the ground floor and another eight were arrested on the first floor.

The iron grille outside the dormitory was, however, locked and it took the police half an hour to break it, Mr Harris said. Inside the dormitory the police arrested 21 men, including Fung.

Artificial respiration masks, 310 inflammatory posters and a large quantity of food and kerosene was discovered below the dormitory, Mr Harris said.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Colony’s ‘Food Strike’ Fails

Left-wing agitators suffered another defeat yesterday when a one-day “food strike” on Hongkong Island was virtually abandoned before midday as most hawkers and food stall owners refused to support it.

Chinese marketing agencies resumed their bulk supplies of food and the day ended with Government officials calling the strike a total failure and which had only inconvenienced the public slightly.

It was reported that Communist political officers had asked a millionaire food merchant who recommended calling the strike to make “self-criticisms” for not organising it properly.

- Hawkers -

Government officials estimated that the number of hawkers who were plying their trade as usual was never less than 70 per cent. More than 60 per cent of the retail stalls in the 20 markets on the Island were also operating.

The labour situation in the Colony continued to improve with more men re-registering or applying for work with the “Star” Ferry Company.

The company is now able to run seven ferries during the rush hour periods.

About 70 of the nearly 300 men dismissed by the Hongkong and China Gas Company applied to get their jobs back.

The Taikoo Dockyard announced late last night that the yard would reopen on a limited scale today.

Police, meanwhile, sought help from the public in finding 14 men who were allegedly involved in a disturbance in the Dockyard on June 6 when leftists threatened other employees and managerial staff.

- Arrested -

Six other men said to be connected with the disturbance were arrested in raids in Shaukiwan early yesterday morning and will appear in court today.

A spokesman said the Dairy Farm’s public services were being restored in spite of continuing agitation.

A nasty incident came to pleasant end yesterday when a young man who was savagely beaten by leftists after he had dared shout slogans against them outside the Hongkong Hilton on May 29 received a gift of $1,600 and food. His rescuer was also honoured.

In the sporting field, the Hongkong Football Association, at a lively meeting last night rejected a strongly-worded protest from the Happy Valley Athletic Association and reaffirmed its support of Government's actions during the recent disturbances.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

‘Only Slight Inconvenience To Public’

Mr H. M. A. Bristow, Assistant Director of the Urban Council, said in a radio interview last night that yesterday's “food strike” received little support and caused only slight inconvenience to the public.

“The strike was a total failure. Whenever people had stock to sell they disregarded this ban and it was only really the people who had the supplies cut off who had done anything but their usual business,” Mr Bristow said.

He said there had been considerable variation from market to market.

- Pattern -

“The general pattern was that vegetables were in very short supply because the usual quantities arriving from China did not arrive and the same applied to fresh water fish, prawns, shrimps and crabs and there was a stoppage of the slaughtering of pigs which supply pork to local markets," he said.

On the whole, he said, the larger stalls and the market stalls seemed to be doing less business but the hawkers without stalls were doing fairly good trade.

Mr Bristow said there was no evidence of a decline in supplies of food from China.

“In the long term, we do not entirely depend on the mainland for the various commodities which come in pigs for example, although at the moment China supplies 90 per cent of the total.

“This had not always been so and I know if a stoppage of supply is to continue any length of time, we should be receiving pigs and other animals for slaughtering from other sources.”

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

‘FOOD STRIKE’ ENDS IN FAILURE

Communist political officers were reported last night to have asked a millionaire food merchant to make “self-criticism” for his failure to organise properly yesterday’s abortive “food strike” on Hongkong Island.

The officers, associated with Chinese marketing agencies here, were said to have made a “preliminary investigation” of the merchant's recommendation that the strike be called.

The strike was called off before midday after most hawkers and retail stalls ignored the call and kept on working.

Supplies of food resumed immediately. At the Kennedy Town abattoir, about 1,000 pigs and 125 head of cattle had been slaughtered and the meat sent to shops and stalls by 4 pm.

In his “self-criticism,” the merchant was said by commercial sources to have been asked to account for the financial losses involved due to his poor planning and also for irritating dealers and other people in his own association.

The merchant was reported to have claimed that he had been assured of complete support from food dealers and hawkers and also of “extreme good timing” as fokis would be ready to enjoy a day's rest after the busy days leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival.

- Doomed -

It soon became obvious that the strike was doomed to failure as the great majority of hawkers and retail stores continued about their trades as usual.

It was estimated that the number of hawkers who stopped work in any one district never rose above 30 per cent of the total hawking force.

More than 60 per cent of the retail stalls in the 20 markets on the Island were open.

The Aberdeen market went without supplies of pork and fresh water fish, but according to one fish stall keeper, residents were not unduly affected.

Retailers, like the public, were aware the supply was to be stopped, and had stored up supplies. He said.

However, his supplies of fish were sold out during the morning, the stall keeper added.

A stall keeper selling pork said that there was only a light degree of inconvenience to the public.

As a Government spokesman said last night that those hawkers not working were not necessarily on strike; it was likely that many were merely following tradition and taking a day off after the Dragon Boat Festival---as the Communists had expected.

The spokesman said that the authorities were most appreciative of the response of hawkers and stall holders to the appeal on Monday for co-operation and resistance to intimidation.

These were people who were aware of their responsibility towards the community and were determined not to surrender themselves to threats or intimidation, he said.

“Their sense of responsibility and their determination to resist unreasonable demands to participate in a general strike to the detriment of the public is of great significance and appreciated not only by Government but also by all law-abiding citizens desirous of maintaining peace and order in Hongkong,” he added.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Next Target: Boat People

Left-wing agitators have been asking boat people in Staunton Creek, Aberdeen, for donations and support for the “anti-persecution struggle committee,” a Government spokesman said last night.

In return, they were offered the support of a fishing workers’ union in Aberdeen, in pressing Government for “immediate resettlement.”

The spokesman said that the leftwingers resorted to threats and intimidation when the boat people refused to take sides.

‘One reason why they were not impressed by the promises of immediate resettlement was that this resettlement was already taking place,’ the spokesman said.

The Resettlement Department had been carrying out the resettlement of the 12,000 people in the area since January, 1966, to make way for the re-development of Aberdeen.

About 200 mechanised fishing junks were seen sailing west wards in the harbour in groups of five or six yesterday. They were reported to be returning from a monthly visit to either Yim Tin or Heung Chau in China.

Such visits are compulsory for all junks fishing in Chinese waters, it was learned.

In Macao, about 300 fishing junks flying red flags sailed into the harbour yesterday for an anti-British demonstration in protest against “persecution.”

Loudspeakers on the boats broadcast quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung and songs, to the applause of a large crowd gathered at the waterfront, Reuter reported.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Not Even Sad Songs!

A Government spokesman yesterday refuted left-wing newspaper reports that prisoners were singing martial songs and shouting political slogans in the Colony’s prisons.

He said several surprise visits to prisons were made this week and none of the inmates was found to possess any of the “fire and enthusiasm” to which the leftwing press had referred.

“There were no songs sung, not even sad ones,” the spokesman added.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Urban Council’s Praise For Loyalty To Government
TRIBUTE FROM GOVERNOR

Members of the Urban Council at their meeting yesterday praised the stall of various sections of the Urban Services for carrying out their duties during the recent disturbances. The Councillors for their part, reed a tribute from His Excellency the Governor, Sir David Trench.

Sir David had sent a message through the Hon G. M. Tingle, the Chairman, expressing appreciation of the unstinting support” of members.

He particularly acknowledged the statement of support that Unofficial Members issued on May 16, one at the earliest of about 550 statements Government has so far received.

The speed and forthrightness of the message, Sir David said, “were not only impressive, but most encouraging to Government, and no doubt to citizens at large, at the time.”

- Cleansing Staff -

Sir David's statement was followed by Dr Alison Bell's thanks to the department's cleansing staff who worked through the nights of the Kowloon disturbances, often at personal risk, and had streets clean for the public the following day. They helped public transport to keep operating and helped maintain morale, she felt.

Staffs of the Resettlement Department, the City Hall and Parks and Garden section came in for praise from Mr Li Yu-bor and Mr A. de O. Sales for loyalty, hard work and for keeping public amenities open and available to all, regardless of political colour.

Back to its usual business, the Council heard another plea by Mr Hilton Cheong-Leen for an oceanarium for Hongkong and the disclosure by Sales that Government was now considering whether to try making the project attractive to a non-profit body by a free grant of land.

- Plea For Shop -

Mrs Elsie Elliott put in a plea for a resettlement dweller who had waited for four months for the results of his appeal for a resettlement shop.

Mr D. C. Barty, Commissioner for Resettlement, said there had been nearly a month's delay before the Appeals Sub-Committee could consider the appeal. Delay in drafting and circulating a paper to the sub-committee, partly due to unusual pressure of work at the time, was involved.

But the man who appealed had since been informed that his appeal was accepted and arrangements were made for him to ballot for a shop at Tszwanshan estate the day before yesterday.

In hopes of speeding up the necessary machinery of appeals, Mr Barty said, three appeal panels had now been set up instead of two and provisions made for their meeting elsewhere than in the City Hall, where committee rooms were not always readily available.

The spotlight swung temporarily on the Central Market where, Dr Bell said, pedestrians were being inconvenienced by dirty water swilling out and down the main steps during clean-up periods. The Hon Wilfred S. B. Wong, whose Select Committee oversees such matters, said the dirty water would hereafter be flushed down a central drain and the front steps cleaned separately and with mops, not by a wash-down.

Unsightliness at and round the Diamond Hill Crematorium was also raised by Dr Bell. She was told by Mr Cheung Wing-in that some unsightliness was inevitable, temporarily, because of debris removal and the hauling of materials in the reprovisioning of the crematorium.

On the other side of the picture, the lawn there had been improved with trees, a fish pond, flowers and shrubs.

- Access Road -

A new access road and parking area were in the offing and, besides that, Government had approved in principle the replacement of the crematorium with a new modern one similar to the Cape Collinson crematorium.

Mr Sales told Mr Henry Hu, who was concerned about playgrounds, that his suggestion of closing nullahs and building playgrounds was feasible and had been used, though other schemes might be financially more attractive and lack the hindrance of clogged drains during heavy rain.

Such schemes, like closure of more side streets for play and use of more rooftops for recreation, were being considered.

The meeting closed with regretful good-byes to Mr Cheung and Dr R. H. S. Lee, who will be vacating their Council seats on July 1.

Dr Lee, now recuperating in Canada from an operation, had served on the Council since May, 1953, Mr Tingle said.

Mr Cheung had been a member since April 1, 1960, and had distinguished himself for sound judgment and good advice.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

VICTIM OF LEFTISTS HONOURED

A young restaurant worker who was savagely beaten up by leftist demonstrators outside the Hongkong Hilton on May 29 after he shouted anti-leftist slogans, yesterday received $1,600 and gifts of food donated by the public.

At the same time, an Englishman who rescued the young man from his attackers was also honoured and presented with some tinned food.

Mr J. D. McGregor, Assistant Director of Commerce and Industry, made the presentations at the Department's headquarters in the Fire Brigade Building, Central.

The young man is Mr Cheung Chuen-chung. His rescuer, Mr G. D. Binstead, a former police officer, is an official of the Hongkong Security and Pay Roll Protective Association Ltd.

Mr McGregor told Mr Cheung that it was significant that he was beaten up for expressing his point of view by the very people who demanded that they be given every opportunity to express their point of view.

“The facts that you had the courage to voice an opposing view to that of the demonstrators at the height of the clamour has been admired by many people in Hongkong,” he said.

“Some of them have expressed their appreciation in terms of gifts of money and have asked me to pass these on to you.”

Turning to Mr Binstead, Mr McGregor said it was probably true that he saved Mr Cheung’s life by risking his own.

“This department has received many expressions of admiration from members of the public for your courage in saving another person’s life. I would like to add to these my own sincere admiration and that of my colleagues in the department,” he said.

After the presentation, Mr Cheung said he had not fully recovered from the injuries he had received.

Recalling the attack, Mr Cheung said he had witnessed the violent acts by the demonstrators and when he passed the Hongkong Hilton he could not control his emotions any longer and had to express his feelings.

Mr Binstead said that in Hongkong people lived by the rule of law and if one group of people were allowed to express their opinions other people should be able to do so too.

“There is no reason why violence should come into any of this business. Nothing is gained by violence. If there are wrongs to be righted, then I think the natural instinct of men is to sit down and talk about it,” he said.

He added he would give the tinned food to the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society, of which he was a member.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

THREE CLASSES OF PEOPLE IN RECENT DISTURBANCES

A solicitor suggested in Central Court yesterday that none of the “hard-core rabble-rousing” band of agitators who were arrested in the recent disturbances had instructed counsel because they held the Colony’s system of justice in contempt.

Mr G. Hampton, of Hastings and Co, was applying for a review of sentence before Mr A. L. Leathlean, on behalf of two men who were each sentenced to nine months’ jail for unlawful assembly.

The men were Pun Hing, a fitter and Lau Fuk-yiu, an Urban Services Department refuse collector, both of 91 Electric Road, Causeway Bay, second floor.

Mr Hampton said, in mitigation, that he did not in any way attempt to minimise the seriousness of the recent disturbances and their possible effect-on the Colony.

- ‘Sheep’ -

He added, however, that it was inevitable that the crowds were composed of very different people, the innocent, the rabble-rousers and agitators, and a third class who could conveniently be called “the sheep.”

These people were those who “perhaps, for a slight degree of fear, wandered into the crowd and feared for their own safety if they did not appear enthusiastic.”

Both Pun and Lau, he said, were on their way home from work on Monday, May 22, when they came upon an unruly crowd a little beyond the dockyard. Being somewhat frightened and overawed by the crowd, they decided like the “chameleon” to follow along with what was happening.

They did not deliberately set out to join the crowd and take part in the disturbances but were overcome by events, Mr Hampton said. The police arrived at that point and the applicants were arrested. 

Mr Hampton then said: “Not one of the hard-core rabble-rousing band has instructed counsel because they hold in contempt our system of justice. All have pleaded not guilty to charges.”

He said he had been instructed to declare publicly on behalf of the two men that they were not anti-Government. This, he felt, was a courageous thing to do in view of the circumstances of  intimidation prevailing now.

- Not Blind -

Mr Hampton concluded that to temper justice with mercy in a particular case was not detracting from the law, but demonstrating that the law is not a blind machine pumping out defendants, but that it looks on each individual with justice and mercy."

Mr Leathlean will give his decision on Thursday.

In another court, Mr E. Light jailed two men and three women for riotous assembly.

The women, Li Ming-tak, Chan Yui-yin and Ku Wai and Ku-wai, were jailed for eight months each, and the men, Choi Chiu-hei and Tsui Yuk-ching, were each sentenced to 12 months in jail.

A 16-year-old boy, who, was convicted of the same offence, was ordered to be sent to a training centre.

***

SCMP, 14 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

U.S.D. Driver Accused of Intimidation

A driver of the Urban Services Department, accused of intimidating four of his fellow workers to make them take part in a strike, was remanded to today by Mr F. de. F. Stratton in North Kowloon Court yesterday.

Yu Ying-hoi (36), of 424 Block 12, Cheungshawan Housing Estate, pleaded not guilty.

He was alleged to have threatened four workers with injures with intent to cause them to take trike in a strike of USD employees in Saiyee Street, Mongkok, on June 6 and 7.

- Remanded -

In another case, a worker of the Hongkong and China Gas Co, Ltd. facing a charge of incitement to commit malicious damage, was remanded for four days.

It is alleged that Yip Chi-hung (41) had unlawfully incited people to damage the gas company’s depot at Tokwawan last Thursday.

In another court, Mr T. L. von Pokorny adjourned to June 30 a case in which two gas company workers were accused of obstructing the police in the removal of inflammatory posters.

Det Insp W. W. Easey said that one of the main prosecution witnesses was unable to attend court.

The defendants, Man Chiu (57), and Wong Ming (44), were allowed $500 bail each.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Fishermen Not Aware They Were Attending Anti-H.K. Meetings

Many Hongkong fishing junks returning from a “must” meeting at several fishing ports in China on Tuesday were not aware they actually formed part of a large fleet staging “anti-Hongkong British demonstrations.”

Fishermen who returned from a meeting in Yim Tin, northeast of Hongkong, said they were not told of the demonstration.

They were simply told that the meeting was over and all could leave. Only when they arrived In Hongkong did they realise many other junks were returning at the same time from meetings held at the other ports, they said.

“The organisers must have synchronised the time of arrival in Hongkong by the participating junks,” one of them said.

“And what a sight! The sea was full of them... and I never saw such a large number of junks at one time,” exclaimed another.

They said that about 700 junks, mainly shrimp trawlers, hand-liners and other small craft from Hongkong attended the meeting at Yim Tin which began last Sunday.

Every day at Yim Tin, a meeting was held, lasting about two to three hours during which the Hongkong authorities were denounced. There were also film shows and lectures on Mao Tse-tung's thoughts.

They were told at the meeting to hoist the Peking flag up to 7 pm on the day they returned to Hongkong. They did.

A larger number of junks attended meetings at Heung Chau and Shea Hau---ports west of Hongkong, they learned.

Leftists claimed that 1,700 local junks, with Peking flags fluttering at the masts, staged a demonstration in Hongkong waters on their return from meetings denouncing the Hongkong authorities.

The Hongkong fishermen said they were not threatened but attended the meetings for fear their licences to fish in Chinese waters might be taken away.

They said meetings were held regularly at the beginning of each month in Yim Tin but a larger number of junks turned up this year because of the Dragon Boat Festival.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

(Photo)

BUILDING STRIKE FAILS

Only two per cent of the 15,000 construction workers whom leftists urges to strike yesterday failed to work at several Government building sites.

A check with many private construction firms showed that work continued normally at their building sites and that no workers had been reported absent.

A Government spokesman said 200 workers did not turn up for work at the new Kennedy Town abattoir site, 94 at the Sau Mau Ping resettlement estate, and small numbers at two resettlement estates and two low cost housing estates.

These workers included plumbers, carpenters, painters and plasterers.

Left-wing newspapers said the one-day strike was called by the “anti-Hongkong British persecution struggle committee.”

(Photo)

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

DOCKYARD STARTS WORK WITHOUT INCIDENT

(Photo at right)

About 2,000 workers were at the Taikoo Dockyard yesterday when it resumed operations on a limited scale.

Police and the dockyard’s own security force were on hand as workers checked in for duty at specified times throughout the day. No incidents were reported.

A spokesman for the company said that all was well and it was hoped that the yard would be operating fully today.

The dockyard had been closed since Thursday last week for reorganisation.

The spokesman disclosed that about 150 workers had been dismissed. Letters informing them of this were sent out on Tuesday.

Notices were sent to other employees telling them that they were required to report for work yesterday. The spokesman said it was estimated that about 95 per cent of the permanent workers and 75 per cent of the time and piece workers put in an appearance.

Delay in postal delivery probably explained why a fair percentage of the absentees did not show up, he said. Telephone calls had been received from many men saying that they had not received the notification to return to work.

Last month, the average number of workers required at the dockyard daily was 3,000, he added. This varied according to the number of jobs available.

- Six Ferries -

The “Star” Ferry Company continued to maintain a restricted service on the Central-Tsimshatsui route between 7 am and 9 pm, with six ferries operating during rush hours.

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, General Manager, said the Company had received more than 400 applications for jobs. These were now being processed.

Other public transport services in the Colony were normal.

More than 220 of the 380 workers dismissed by the Hongkong and China Gas Company were back on the job at the Company’s depots and plants yesterday.

A spokesman for the Company said many applications for re-employment from the remaining 40 per cent of the dismissed workers, had been received.

Registration at the company's depots for re-employment ended at 5 pm yesterday.

- Cement Co. -

Mr J. S. Brooker, General Manager of the Green Island Cement Company, said in a radio interview that the Company hoped to resume production as soon as possible.

Where former workers did not come forward to register for re-employment, the management was determined to start operations with fresh employees if necessary, he said.

To date, 320 people had registered for employment, of whom 243 had not been employed by the Company before. The remaining 77 were former workers.

There were indications that the majority of workers wished to return, he said.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Driver Says He Was Threatened

An Urban Services driver told Mr D. A. Davies in North Kowloon Court yesterday that another driver had told him to join “a general strike,” and that he would be beaten up if he did not do so.

Mr Chan Leung-wa, the driver, was testifying at the trial of Yu Ying-hoi (35), who denied charges of intimidating four fellow workers to make them take part in a strike.

Mr Chan said that on June 5 in the USD garage in Sai Yee Street, Mongkok, Yu told him that a general strike by all workers would take place soon and that the time would be decided by the “Struggle Committee.”

- Warned -

Yu told him to join the strike “when the time comes,” Mr Chan said.

Yu also told him that during the strike he should sit down in the garage and not start his car. If he tried to drive the car out of the garage people would assault him, Yu allegedly said.

Mr Chan said Yu stressed that it was important for him to follow “their collective action” and that he should disobey regulations rather than offend “the heart of the public.”

Mr Chan said he was frightened by the threat.

Mr Davis reserved judgment to this afternoon.

Senior Detective Insp G. Whiteley is prosecuting.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Leftists Take Show-window Precautions

Several local left-wing organisations, including banks and China products stores, yesterday removed anti-Government posters from their windows for fear that anti-leftists might smash the windows with stones.

The organisations were not certain if such a breakage would be covered by their general insurance policies, it was learned.

(Photo)

Glass dealers said the slate glass for average-sized shop windows cost from $1,000 to $3,000.

However, other inflammatory posters remained on the walls of the premises.

A theatre in Wanchai which had not displayed inflammatory posters previously, appeared with several on its walls and windows. It was also selling the Quotations of Mao Tse-tung.

Two of the six show windows displaying propaganda pictures at the China National Airline Corporation showroom in Gloucester Building, Central, were boarded up last night.

This measure followed the recent stoning of two of the windows.

In Kowloon, one of the show windows of the Kwangtung Provincial Bank in Nathan Road, Mongkok, was also broken by a stone on Tuesday.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

More Contributions To Police Fund

The Police Children’s Education Fund, which was launched on May 19, has reached nearly $3.6m.

Although the machinery for receiving on-the-spot donations at the Department of Commerce and Industry had been discontinued, contributions continued to flow in and the figure at 5 pm on Tuesday stood at $3,597,064.25.

Early yesterday morning, a Chinese woman, who identified herself as a resident of Mt Austin Road, went to the Peak Police Station and handed $1,000 to the duty officer, Sgt Bat Kai-ko, for the fund.

Following were the contributions received since June 8:

(Details of donors and their donation)

Accumulated total … $3,597,064.25

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

New Charges By Peking

Peking, June 14,

China yesterday issued a “serious warning” to Britain and the British authorities in Hongkong over alleged new crimes committed against Chinese in the Colony on June 8 and 9, the New China News Agency reported.

The Foreign Ministry statement claimed that large numbers of troops and police used force and tear gas on a scale surpassing the “brutality” used during several days of disturbances in Hongkong in May.

It was also claimed that two men died, scores were wounded and 500 arrested.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Straits Times today hailed the failure of a leftist food strike in Hongkong yesterday but predicted there would be more troubled times in the Colony.

The puzzle was what were Peking’s intentions, the paper said.

“Are the Chinese being driven by frustration at the refusal to bend the knee as the Portuguese did in Macao? Or is there a thoughtful plan for driving the British out?" it asked---AFP and AP.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Raid On Theatre Described In Court

A Kun Tong cinema, where inflammatory speeches were allegedly broadcast before each show, was fully equipped with a system of alarm bells and an electrically-operated iron grille, Mr T. L. von Pokorny was told in North Kowloon Court yesterday.

The Police had seized two gas masks and 297 inflammatory posters at the cinema during a raid last Friday, Detective Insp J. A. Hurst testified.

On trial are 19 employees of the Silver Theatre in Fu Yan Street, Kun Tong. They are charged with obstructing the police in the removal of inflammatory posters and of a broadcasting system that had been used for inflammatory speeches.

They pleaded not guilty.

Insp Hurst said he and a police party went to the cinema on June 9 to remove inflammatory posters. As he entered the foyer he heard noises and a commotion upstairs.

Later, when the police went to the fourth floor, he found an electrically-controlled steel grille, which closed just as he reached it,

Through the grille, Insp Hurst said, he saw a number of people closing a wood-framed glass door and then running to the roof.

Insp Hurst said he told the people to open the grille but they paid no attention to him. It took the police ten minutes to open the grille with crowbars, he added.

On the roof, he went into the projection room where he found recording instruments. Returning to the fourth floor, he found the defendants inside a room which appeared to be a dormitory.

“As I went into the room, an alarm bell rang. Later, I discovered that similar alarm devices were installed in other places in the cinema,” Insp Hurst said.

After instructing his men to arrest the defendants, Insp Hurst said, he went to the manager's room where he seized the cinema's licence.

- Posters -

In the mess hall on the third floor, he found the walls covered with posters. Two gas masks and posters were found in a trunk in the hall, Insp Hurst added.

Mr D. R. Harris, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police, testified that on June 9, he led a police party to the cinema. As soon as he entered the foyer, an alarm bell rang and he heard footsteps.

He said be found an amplifier and a recorder in the projection room and a loudspeaker on the roof.

Detective Constable Kwong Wing-chi said he and another policeman attended the 9.30 show in the Silver Theatre on June 9. Before the show he heard a woman’s voice over the broadcast system.

She said: “We must oppose the Hongkong-British. They have used riot squads with tear gas and batons against unarmed Chinese people in a simple labour-management dispute.”

Later, Constable Kwong said, Chinese characters flashed on the screen said: “We will win. The Hongkong British will be defeated. Blood debt must be paid by blood.”

Hearing will continue today.

Mr P. J. Clancy, Superintendent of Police, is prosecuting.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Rioters Boarded Tram, Court Told

Police stopped a tram in North Point on Sunday, May 21, and arrested nine of the 30 passengers on board, a police officer testified in Central Court yesterday.

The men arrested, Insp Li Sou-leung told Mr N. P. Power, were part of a crowd who had thrown bottles, bricks and rubbish bins at the police and beat them with wooden clubs, stools and other weapons,

Insp Li was giving evidence against Wong Ting-fat (40) and Li San (37), who pleaded not guilty to charges of riotous assembly.

The police party who earlier encountered the crowd were heavily outnumbered, Insp Li said. Nine policemen, including himself, were injured.

Insp Li said he gave the order for the police to retreat. The crowd dispersed when two police vehicles approached. About ten of them boarded a tram, he said.

Hearing will continue today.

In another court, Insp Lam Yim-fat told Mr P. M. Corfe that Tse Wuk-loi (33), a plastic factory worker, was the ring leader of a crowd who threw stones at two police platoons in Morrison Street near Des Voeux Road Central on May 21.

Tse was at the front of the crowd, Insp Lam said. He was left standing in the middle of the roadway when the crowd dispersed.

Tse denied a charge of riotous assembly. The hearing was adjourned to today.

***

SCMP, 15 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

SIX TAIKOO WORKERS ON RIOT CHARGES

Six Taikoo Dockyard workers, who were arrested in the Dockyard’s staff quarters on Tuesday, were remanded for seven days in jail custody by Mr A. L. Leathlean in Central Court yesterday on charges of riotous assembly, criminal intimidation and common assault.

Detective Insp F.S. Kavanagh, who asked for the remand, said further charges might be preferred. There was also the possibility of others being charged, he added.

The defendants are Szeto Wah-chung (28), a carpenter; Lam Kwok-leung (35), a coppersmith; Cheng Wah (20), an apprentice coppersmith; and Tse Tse Tung (56), Tang Kam (47) and Lo Ham (48), foundry workers.

All six were charged with riotous assembly.

- A Protest -

Szeto was also charged with intimidating and assaulting Mr John MacArthur in the dockyard on June 6.

Szeto protested in court against what he called “unlawful arrest.” He claimed that he had been beaten by the police in prison and displayed a bruise on his left arm.

He also warned that if “any future assault is inflicted” on him, he would starve “as of now.”

Tse also complained of being beaten.

Tang said he was ill and needed a doctor. He and another defendant, Cheng Wah, applied for bail.

Opposing bail, Insp Kavanagh said that there was a strong possibility of the defendants not appearing for trial. They might also interfere with the witnesses, he added.

Insp Kavanagh also asked Mr Leathlean to take into account the nature of the offences and the possibility of more trouble in the dockyard.

Mr Leathlean refused the applications for bail. He also ordered that Szeto, Tse and Tang should see the prison doctor immediately.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

RESTAURANT STAFF SACKED AFTER WALKOUT

The Dairy Farm yesterday sacked 120 members of its restaurant staff after they had staged a lightning lunch-hour walkout at the company’s restaurants in Windsor House and Gloucester Lounge, Central.

The walkout, which took place at 1.30 pm, affected many regular lunch-goers some of whom had to return to their offices without a meal.

A company spokesman said the restaurant staff told the management they were striking in protest against “Government atrocities in Hongkong" and the management’s “unreasonable” dismissal of union leaders who organised the weekend strikes.

The spokesman said about 24 of the total restaurant staff of 140 remained on duty and the management would endeavour to maintain a restricted “light snack” service at Windsor House only.

The Gloucester Lounge, however, would not re-open.

“All employees involved in the lunch-hour strike are dismissed forthwith and re-employment will not be considered,” the spokesman stressed.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Brutal Gang Attack On Detective

A detective fired all six rounds of his revolver to save himself from being beaten to death by suspected leftists who attacked him with iron hooks in Sanpokong early yesterday.

The detective, Luk Chiu (30), was stabbed five times and was left bleeding in the street when his attackers fled after he fired his revolver.

He was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with wounds in both arms, one in the chest and one in the back.

A hospital spokesman last night described his condition as “satisfactory.”

The attack occurred in Tseuk Luk Street shortly after 4.30 am when Luk and other detectives arrested a man for writing inflammatory characters on a wall near the street junction.

As soon as the arrest was made, the police party came under a barrage of empty tins thrown by hidden attackers.

Twenty men then ran out from side lanes and Staircases and surrounded Luk.

He drew his revolver and warned them to retreat but they attacked him.

The police are searching for his attackers.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN LABOUR SITUATION
“Star” Ferry Service Extended

The labour situation improved further yesterday. The “Star” Ferry Company was able to extend its service until 11 pm and the Taikoo Dockyard reported an “excellent” attendance of workers.

Events in Kun Tong also took a heartening tum with the Ngautaukok Kaifong Association coming forward to help maintain postal services in the district.

There were seven “Star” ferries plying between the Island and Tsimshatsui yesterday. Two of them operated between 9 pm and 11 pm, running at ten minute intervals.

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, General Manager of the Company, said the service may soon be further extended.

He said that less than half of the floating crew members had so far re-registered. However, the men had agreed to work overtime to minimise the inconvenience to the public.

Taikoo Dockyard was operating normally with about 2,200 workers, representing 98  per cent of the total number of men.

Mr P. Bernard, Business Manager, said the attendance was excellent. All departments were functioning smoothly

Mr A. G. Crook, the Postmaster General, yesterday inspected post offices in Tsimshatsui, Cheungshawan, Kowloon City and Kun Tong.

He said he was pleased with the turnout of staff and was satisfied that mail delivery was normal, except for some slight delays in one or two sections covered by the Kowloon City and Kun Tong post offices. Plans were In hand to eliminate these delays.

There is a shortage of 40 postmen in Kowloon following recent dismissals.

The mail situation in Kun Tong has been eased by the civic-minded action of the Ngautaukok Kaifong Association.

After a full committee meeting, under the chairmanship of Mr Yeung Chi-chung, it was decided that the Association should volunteer to help Government temporarily by undertaking the tasks of sorting out and distributing letters and parcels for residents of the area.

Mail will be collected from the Kun Tong Post Office every morning, sorted out in the Ngautaukok kaifong premises and then delivered by volunteer postmen.

“We can certainly do more if the need arises,” said Mr Yeung. “The majority of our members are prepared to come forward to take over any duties left undone by irresponsible elements in the public services or utilities.”

The Dairy Farm management announced yesterday that employees who were dismissed last Saturday and wished to apply for re-employment could do so up to 5 pm tomorrow.

The Dairy Farm also moved quickly to refute left-wing newspaper reports that meat had gone bad because the company could not maintain normal refrigeration temperatures.

“Not one ounce of frozen food has been lost,” a spokesman emphasised.

“The temperatures in all our cold stores have been maintained."

The spokesman said that ice supplies to the Colony’s fishing fleet were still restricted but ice production units were working 24 hours a day in an endeavour to rectify this situation.

(Photo at right)

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

LEFT-WING CLAIMS PUNCTURED

Government issued an immediate rebuttal to a claim by left-wing newspapers yesterday that 15,000 building workers had gone on strike on Wednesday.

“The leftists are notorious in manufacturing stories and inflated figures and there is no reason to doubt that they have done the same in this case,” a Government spokesman said.

The strike had involved 15,000 workers in 11 trades, the left-wing papers claimed.

A Government spokesman said that extensive checks with construction companies indicated that 97 per cent of the labour force was at work at hundreds of building sites.

- No Work To Do -

The total labour force is estimated at 87,000.

The spokesman said that men in the construction industry reported that if any worker had agreed to stop working for a day it was because he had no work to do---in which case he would certainly have agreed to line up with the leftists for the one-day strike for which he could get $5.

“If there were, in fact, 15,000 workers on strike, it would mean that the leftists had spent some $75,000 to achieve one day of false publicity,” he said.

“This also explains why so many business concerns and their employees have been forced to make donations in support of the meaningless strikes and actions, all designed to upset law and order in the Colony.”

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

RURAL COMMITTEES DOUT EXISTANCE OF ‘STURGGLE’ GROUPS

Rural Committee in Taipo have deplored left-wing press reports that “anti-persecution” and “struggle” committees have been formed in the seven Taipo sub-districts.

A Statement to this effect was issued yesterday after the chairmen of the six Rural Committees, the Chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk and two Justices of the Peace held a routine meeting with the District Officer, Taipo.

“We have no knowledge of these committees and whom they pretend to represent, and know from our own experience in recent weeks that, even if they do exist, they do not have the support of 99 per cent of the people whom we represent,” the statement said.

“We should also like to make known our determination to continue to support Government's efforts to maintain peace and order and pledge to do all we can to help, both. personally and through our Rural Committees, to prevent this very small minority of trouble-makers from disrupting our normal peaceful and happy way of life.”

- More Support -

Another ten organisations have pledged support for Government’s firm determination to maintain law and order, bringing the total number to 567.

Children of the staff of the Taikoo Dockyard have raised $600 for the Police Children’s Education Fund.

The Fund has also received $700 from the Hongkong and Kowloon Licensed Hawkers’ Association.

A Government spokesman said the hawkers felt slighted by leftwing claims that the “food strike” on Tuesday was a “complete success” and decided to refute this by donating to the Fund.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

LEFTISTS’ ‘STRUGGLE FUND’
Unauthorised Donations From Banks Alleged

A reader telephoned the S.C.M. Post yesterday and accused certain local Communist banks of having taken money without permission from depositors’ accounts, “donated” it to the “anti-Hongkong British struggle fund” and printed the depositors’ names as donors in left-wing newspapers.

He claimed that sums ranging from $5 to $30 had been withdrawn from accounts without permission.

The reader declined to give his name but said he was an overseas Chinese from the Philippines.

He said the matter was brought to his attention when a friend, who was listed as having made a donation, showed him a copy of a left-wing newspaper which carried the names of  “donors” to the “struggle fund.”.

The names of his mother and some friends appeared in lists of donations claimed to have been received at two banks where their money was deposited, he said.

A check with his mother’s account in one bank showed that $15, equivalent to the “donation” attributed to her by the newspaper, was missing, the reader said.

He said he had telephoned the newspaper to enquire about the matter and was told that the names could belong to other persons.

The reader said that when he returned from the Philippines early this year he had often been approached by people from a Communist bank requesting him to deposit money there.

He added he had eventually deposited $4,000 in the bank, but withdrew this soon after the Kowloon disturbances began.

He said he was told by some friends who had accounts in Communist banks that they had been intimidated by leftists who wanted them to give money to the “struggle fund.”

*** 

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Employer Speaks For Worker

The high regard of an employer for one of his workers was the main factor in persuading him to substitute a jail sentence with a fine, Mr Justice G.G. Briggs said in the Appeals Court yesterday.

The partner of an iron and steel factory had testified that in his opinion, Kwok Chun-sum, the appellant, was a man to be trusted.

- Upheld -

Kwok (39), of 104 Tam Kung Road, third floor, Kowloon City, was appealing through Mr Brook Bernacchi, QC. against conviction and a three-month jail sentence for unlawful assembly in Sanpokong on May 11.

Mr Justice Briggs uphold the conviction but substituted the jail sentence with a $500 fine.

He said that police evidence in the Magistrates Court was a “classical description of unlawful assembly,” but he did not think that Kwok had deliberately gone into the crowd to cause trouble.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Farmer Had Inflammatory Posters

Mr F. de. F. Stratton said in North Kowloon Court yesterday that he would recommend deportation for a farmer who had admitted possessing 45 inflammatory posters and a triangular scraper with which he resisted arrest.

The farmer, Cheng Ying-wah, (29), of Ma Tin Village, Yuen Long, was jailed for nine months for possession of inflammatory posters, possession of an offensive weapon and resisting arrest.

He had come from China in May, 1962, Mr Stratton was told.

Detective Insp Wu Siu-cheuk said Cheng and another man were seen in Sai Yee Street, Mongkok, at 9.30 pm on Sunday. Cheng was carrying a bag.

As they were acting in a suspicious manner, a policeman approached them and they ran away.  Cheng was caught in Mongkok Road and drew out a triangular scraper to attack the policeman. He was subdued. There were 45 inflammatory posters in the bag he was carrying.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Gas Worker Discharged

A worker of the Hongkong and China Gas Co, Ltd, who denied he had obstructed the police in the removal of inflammatory posters, was discharged by Mr F. de F. Stratton in North Kowloon Court yesterday when the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

Chief Insp J. Goodman told Mr Stratton that the defendant, Wong Man (53), could not be positively identified.

Wong had pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier hearing but reversed his plea later.

Mr Paul Fok, who represented Wong, said Wong was “confused and frightened” when he was first asked to plead to the charge.

Wong was alleged to have committed the offence in the gas company’s depot in Tokwawan on June 8.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Obstruction Of Police Alleged

Mr. T. L. von Pokorny in North Kowloon Court yesterday reserved judgment to this afternoon in the trial of 19 employees of the Silver Theatre in Kun Tong who are accused of obstructing the police in the removal of inflammatory posters.

The employees, including four women, are alleged to have committed the offences last Friday.

In statements from the dock, 17 of the defendants claimed that they were in the cinema’s dormitory on the fourth floor at the time of the police raid and were not aware of what was going on downstairs.

Another defendant, Tam Kwan-tin (36), an usher, said he was about to go home when the police arrived.

***

SCMP, 16 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

U.S.D. Driver Jailed For Making Inflammatory Speeches

A driver of the Urban Services Department, charged with intimidating four of his fellow workers to make them take part in a strike, was found not guilty by Mr D. A. Davies in North Kowloon Court  yesterday.

But Mr Davies found the driver, Yu Hing-hoi (36), guilty of making inflammatory speeches, based on the evidence heard during the trial, and sentenced him to seven months’ imprisonment.

He said Yu had committed a “serious offence,” by trying to cause disaffection among Government servants.

“Since you find Hongkong uncongenial, it is very likely that the Deportation Tribunal will consider making an order for deportation against you,” Mr Davis added.

Mr Davies said he was satisfied that the evidence given by the four victims---a labourer and three drivers of the Urban Services Department ---to be true.

“Each of them said he had no grudge against you, and this is an important element in my decision,” he said.

Mr Davies said he found Yu not guilty of the intimidation charges because he was satisfied that the words spoken by Yu to his fellow workers constituted only a “warning”---that if the men did not take part in a strike of USD workers, they would be beaten up.

Yu was informing fellow workers of what would happen in the event of a general strike and would have no control of what would actually happen to them, Mr Davies said.

Yu had, however, made anti-Government speeches calculated to stir up disaffection among Government servants and to cause disturbances, Mr Davies went on.

He told Yu: “I know you talked to Mr Chiu and Mr Lam (two of the complainants) in private, but that does not make you less liable to prosecution under the Emergency Regulations.”

Mr Davies said he was normally reluctant to bring in another verdict in a trial. But, he said, in this case, there was no prejudice against Yu because Yu, in his own evidence, did not deny what he had said.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

Offices Turned Into Living Quarters
COMMUNIST FIRMS IN STATE OF ‘NEAR SIEGE’

The occupants of certain premises leased by Communist concerns had retreated into a state of “near siege” by taking into their offices large supplies of rice, kerosene, makeshift cooking equipment and bedding.

Mr V. O. Roberts, Manager of the Hongkong Land Investment Company, said this yesterday when he pointed out the serious fire and health hazard presented by the actions of these Communist concerns.

Mr Roberts said that he was seriously alarmed at the way in which the terms of lease for these premises were being abused by the tenants who, he said, obviously intended to convert these premises from a business character, provided for by the terms of lease, to a residential one, which called for different lease requirements.

- No Reply -

“I have written to the occupants, urging them to comply with the requirements of the lease, but to date I have received no reply,” he added.

“Their refusal to acknowledge my correspondence on this matter strongly suggests that they have no consideration for the safety and welfare either of their own staff or of other tenants and occupants of neighbouring properties.”

Mr Roberts pointed out that his firm owned a very considerable portion of the entire business premises in the Central area, and was responsible for safeguarding the interests of some 1,000 tenants.

It appeared that quite large numbers of people had taken up semi-permanent residence in these premises, in need of facilities which the buildings were obviously not provided with because they had never been designed to fulfil a residential function.

“This, apart from anything else, creates a grave problem of hygiene, which might affect not only the occupants responsible but their neighbouring premises as well, commented Mr Roberts. “More than this, however, is the risk of fire. Kerosene is of course, a highly inflammable material. Makeshift cooking resources pose all kinds of dangers.

- Contravention -

 “These practices are in direct contravention of the terms of the Crown lease, for which not only they but we, as landlords, are held responsible.

“If they refuse to comply with these terms, we are perfectly entitled to insist on their removal. We have not done so until now, but our patience will soon be exhausted. We must protect the welfare of all our tenants. Irresponsible behaviour by some affects the welfare of the whole.”

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Plagued By Left-wing Intimidation

A Government worker was so much plagued by left-wing intimidation that he had to seek psychiatric treatment, a Government spokesman said yesterday.

As a union member, the spokesman said, Ho Fong first accepted instructions to demonstrate in the streets last month. He thought there was not too much harm in carrying a slogan and waving his fists.

But he soon learned that the trouble-makers would not let him get away so easily. He was ordered to strike by his union bosses. He refused as there was no industrial dispute where he worked.

Thus began a campaign of cruel intimidation, the spokesman continued. He was followed by two unionists in the streets.

Their persecution so played on his nerves that he had to report to a Government Hospital for psychiatric treatment.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

Special Concession For Policemen Who Purchase Flats

The Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Company Limited has announced a new way of expressing its appreciation of “the excellent performance” by the police during the recent riots.

A spokesman for the company said it would assist police personnel who had purchased flats in Tai On Building, now being built by the company in Shaukiwan, by cancelling the first month’s instalment payment.

For policemen who paid cash, the company would refund in cash an amount similar to a month's instalment payment when the building was ready for occupation, he added,

This special concession would remain open for any new buyer in the police force.

So far, eight retiring police officers have bought flats in the building with money advanced from the Police Welfare Fund.

Meanwhile, “Star” ferries continued to operate from 7am to 11 pm yesterday on the main route between Central district and Tsimshatsui.

However, there is a possibility that the service may soon be extended, it was learned.

Mr H. M. G. Forsgate, General Manager of the “Star” Ferry Co. Ltd, said the company was already operating the service between 7 am and 9 pm on a normal scale with seven ferries.

Only between 9 pm and 11 pm was the service operated by two ferries, instead of three in normal circumstances.

Mr Forsgate said the service to Hunghom would not be started until a few weeks later. This was to enable the company to train its new workers.

The company was processing hundreds of applications for employment.

- Army Families -

An Army Spokesman yesterday denied a left-wing newspaper report that Army families were moving out of their flats in Happy Valley because of the current disturbances.

He said they were leaving the 24 flats at 12 Broadwood Road “because the lease expires at the end of this month.”

The families were moving into other flats in various parts of the Colony, he added.

Meanwhile, residents of Wongtaisin have denied the existence of a “struggle” committee in their area as reported by left wing newspapers.

Mr Shum Lo-yeung, Chairman of the Wongtaisin Kaifong Association, said that leftists stood no chance whatsoever in efforts to exert influence in the Wongtaisin area.

He added that the Association, at the request of the residents, had already pledged its support for Government’s action in maintaining peace and order.

“Our stand is unchallengeable and any attempt made by the leftists is bound to meet with a complete failure," he said.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

FOUND WITH POSTERS AND PASTE

A book-keeper was fined $500 by Mr J. J. Rhind in South Kowloon Court yesterday for possession of inflammatory posters.

The prosecution said that Au Tsan (34), of Flat 3, 17th floor, 565 Nathan Road, was acting suspiciously when Det-Insp Lee Yiu-fei saw him outside the Yaumati Kaifong Welfare Association on the evening of June 10.

He was followed and then stopped for questioning in Waterloo Road near Shanghai Street. Fourteen sheets of newspaper cuttings and a bottle of paste were found on him.

In mitigation, Mr Francis Chaine, representing Au, said that the nature of some of the posters seized could not be considered as inflammatory as they were newspaper cuttings which Government had allowed to be published.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Theatre Employees Sent To Prison
OBSTRUCTED POLICE IN REMOVAL OF POSTERS

Six-employees of the Silver Theatre were each jailed for six months and recommended for deportation by Mr T. L. von Pokorny in North Kowloon Court yesterday when they were found guilty of obstructing the police in the removal of inflammatory posters.

A seventh employee, Lai Lai-kwan, an 18-year-old girl who was also found guilty of the offence, was put on a $300 bond as well as a $300 surety to be of good behaviour for two years.

Twelve other persons were acquitted and discharged.

The six who were jailed were Cheung Wan-chun (30), Tam Kwan-tin (36), Koo Fong-wing (35), Siu Kam-fai (22), To Lai-suk (57) and Lau Chun-sun (50).

They were found guilty of obstructing the police in the cinema in Fu Yan Street, Kun Tong, on Friday last week when the police went there to remove inflammatory posters and a broadcasting system.

Delivering judgment, Mr Pokorny said that each defendant had been considered separately just as each was being tried separately.

He said he had no doubt that words broadcast and screened to the audience in the cinema before the 9.30 pm show last Friday were of an inflammatory nature.

“I am certain,” Mr Pokorny said, “that Mr D. R. Harris, Acting Senior Superintendent, and Det-Insp J. A. Hurst had every reason to go there to stop the broadcast.”

- Beyond Doubt -

“I am equally certain that Insp Hurst had the right to search the premises and, in doing so, to detain the employees until the search was over.”

It was beyond doubt, Mr Pokorny went on, that Insp Hurst and other policemen were obstructed when an iron grille closed on their face and prevented their going to the roof for ten minutes, while a group of people were running on the roof without heeding police instructions.

There was no direct evidence that the people on the roof included the defendants who were found in the dormitory later, Mr Pokorny said.

But, he pointed out, the dormitory was at that time accessible only by a door on the roof.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Threw Stones At Police

A man appealing against a 21-month-jail sentence for unlawful assembly was told by a judge yesterday to go back to China if he did not like it here.

Dismissing the appeal of Ngan Hung-shing, Mr Justice W. F. Pickering said: “If you don't like the place you came to, you can always go back home, rather than harass and insult the Hongkong police who are trying to keep peace and order.”

Ngan, a metal worker, had been convicted for his part in the May 15 Sanpokong riots. He claimed that he had gone out to look for a friend.

Mr David Wilcox, Crown Counsel said that Ngan, who came here from China nine years ago, had shouted insults and thrown stones at the police.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 7)

Women Protest In Kowloon Court

There was a commotion in North Kowloon Court yesterday after Mr. F. de F. Stratton, the Magistrate, had remanded 17 Government dockyard workers in jail custody on a charge of unlawful assembly.

As the workers were being led out of the court, their wives and relatives first murmured then protested loudly.

In spite of repeated warnings by the Magistrate to keep quiet, they refused to do so. One of them stood up in the gallery and loudly accused the court of unlawfully detaining her husband.

“How can you come in the middle of the night and take him away?” she asked.

Another woman wanted to know when she could see her husband again.

Mr Stratton told her that the defendants had been remanded to June 22 when they would appear in court again.

He warned the women that if they interrupted the proceedings further, he would have them removed from the court.

The women persisted in their protest and were ordered out of the court.

They marched out protesting loudly.

The defendants were alleged to have unlawfully assembled at the Government's Yaumati Slipway on June 1.

Eight of them were also charged with detaining Mr C. F. Hulse, Assistant Director of Marine.

They pleaded not guilty.

The defendants are: Cheuk Kai (34), Chan Moon-tong (27), Leung Chuen (41), Wong Sou-wa (33), Tsang Shing-fook (38), Kan Kai-cho (29), Wong, Chi-yiu (32), Wong Pak (38), Wong Shek-choi (44), Leung Chi-kuen (25), Ho Chung (53), Kwok Ho-ying (29), Kwan Ching (40), Ho Chiu (43), Wong Chu (48), Lam Kam-chek (24) and Lai Ka-luk (44).

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 10)

Extracts From The Chinese Press
LEFTIST STRIKES ‘A FAILURE’

COMMENT in the Colony’s non-leftist Chinese newspapers this week again centred on the series of failures of leftist strike calls.

The Tin Tin Yat Po described the failures as “a string of wet firecrackers which did not explode.”

The Kung Sheng Daily News said the “so-called great combined strike by workers of Hongkong British organisations which was much publicised in the left-wing newspapers was nothing but “a blown-up balloon.”

The paper again urged Government to take action against the left-wing papers at a time when the “strike balloon had blown to pieces.

The Truth said that the suspension of fresh water fish and pigs from the mainland for a day meant nothing at all and no “victory” could be claimed by the leftists. In fact, the paper observed, the only ones who would suffer a loss from these actions were the leftists’ “mainland bosses.”

The Hongkong Times hailed the success of the Dragon Boat Festival in the midst of a leftist food strike call.

The festival, the paper said, had arrived in time to bring the free spirit of Hongkong people into full play and thoroughly smash “the daydreaming of a handful of leftists” and their ruthless propaganda.

“There were the usual drums and boat races, the overcrowded markets and plentiful supply of rice dumplings. In fact things were no different from previous years.

“The only difference,” the paper went on, “is that there is an additional batch of prisoners behind bars and the Mao-clique comrades’ shouts behind closed doors.”

- ‘Suffered Defeat’ -

The Tin Tin Yat Po said the leftists were trying to threaten the right-wing papers in an attempt to control their voices.

The paper noted that in the cultural revolution on mainland China, the Maoists’ first objects were newspapers and broadcasting stations which they used to slander their opponents.

“What leftists feared most was anti-leftist propaganda,” the paper went on, “and they had suffered defeat under the pen of Hongkong newspapermen.”

The tone of left-wing editorials fluctuated during the week. In the beginning of the week, they renewed their sharp attack on Government following the death in custody of a PWD worker arrested in the Tokwawan and the discovery in a coke heap of the body of a gas company employee.

In the middle of the week, the attacks appeared to be milder, but they renewed their attack following a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the death of the two workers.

The papers also called the window-smashing at a number of left-wing organisations “a provocation.”

A war of words raged between the left-wing papers and the neutral Ming Pao.

The Ming Pao had been publishing a series of articles analysing the current situation in the Colony and activities by the leftists.

The left-wing papers accused the Ming Pao of being “traitors, running dogs and the bad class of Chinese nationals.”

In reply, the Ming Pao said that the left-wing slanders could not but foul the leftists’ own mouths. The series of analytical articles continued.

The New Life Evening Post had also started a series on similar lines.

***

SCMP, 17 Jun 1967 (Page 10)

WHAT DOES ‘FASCISM’ MEAN?

THERE is more than a spice of irony in the introduction by Hongkong’s leftists of the word “Fascist” into their denunciations. For if Fascism, or Nazism, connotes the racialism and ranting of a Hitler or the “Big Lies” of a Goebbels there is no doubt where the charge of Fascism ought to lie. And what is most extraordinary about all this is that in the “little red book” of Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung there is not one approbatory word about such tactics. Even if racialism were to be equated with chauvinism---actually it is a good deal worse---Mr Mao only mentions it in order to declare that the Chinese people should “get rid of it.” In fact, as anyone who has taken the trouble to read the “Quotations” with any degree of care will agree, they contain a great deal of common sense, though the inevitable emphasis on revolutionary military tactics now has a historical rather than a contemporary significance. But it would seem that the brandishers of the red books in Hongkong are modelling themselves chiefly on the late Senator McCarthy, one of whose regular, “gimmicks” was to wave a “blue book” full of markers at his audience---but never by any chance to open it.

This is not to say that many in this Colony will agree the Marxist basis of Mr Mao’s thinking. But it should not be forgotten that 1967 sees the centenary of the publication of the first volume of Marx’s “Capital,” and as the “Quotations” aver, Marxism must certainly advance. In origin Marxism stated certain economic facts---such as that labour is the source of the fund which originally provides all the means of human livelihood---that nobody would now dispute. It is true that much of his economic theory had in fact already been formulated by Adam Smith and Ricardo, and to this extent Marx, being a self-taught economist, was rather in the position of Ferguson the astronomer, of whom Emerson wrote “Ferguson discovered many things in astronomy which had long been known. The better for him.” Whereas, however, there is no reason to quarrel with many of Marx’s basic economic propositions, the passage of time has rendered much of his sociological theory either out of date or irrelevant. His industrial revolution was not, and could not be, the industrial revolution of a twentieth century society (or so it will seem to most of us). But these are questions for reasoned discussion. Shouting, brandishing booklets, challenging law and order, faking strikes, intimidating workers, spreading lies and false rumours---all this is nothing but an insult to the respected author of the “Quotations.”

***

SCMP, 18 Jun 1967 (Page 1)

U.K. group to study future of Hongkong
London, June 17.

A four-man Liberal study group on the future of Hongkong has been set up under the Chairmanship of Mr Hugo Brunner, a Liberal parliamentary candidate in the 1964 and 1966 elections.

It is “to make a short term and detailed study of the problems facing the Hongkong administration and the Implications for the British Government.”

The group will report to the party's Commonwealth panel by the end of the year.

Mr Brunner was for a year Oxford University Press representative in Hongkong.

Other members of the group are Lord Moynihan, whose business takes him to Hongkong at least twice a year, Mr Jeremy Arnold, Liberal candidate for Hastings in 1964 and 1966, who lived much of his early life in Hongkong, and Mr Anthony Paice, of the Liberal Party research department.---Reuter.

***

SCMP, 18 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

(Photo)

‘Outstanding example set by police’

Two hundred police constables and probationary inspectors were told yesterday that the outstanding example set by the Police Force during the recent troubles was one they would do well to follow.

The remark was made by the Acting Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Mr Paul K. C. Tsui, who took the salute at a passing-out parade of the policemen at the Police Training School in Aberdeen.

Before the parade, Mr Tsui, who wore a full Colonial Service uniform, addressed the three squads of probationary inspectors and 11 squads of police constables.

- Praise -

Mr Tsui praised the Police Force for its “high degree of restraint, endurance, alertness and calmness in the face of great difficulties.”

He said: “The efforts made by each and every member of the Regular and Auxiliary Police Force in protecting the life, property and liberty of the 3,900,000 residents of Hongkong has won not only the support and respect of the entire local population but also admiration from all over the world.”

He said that there were three qualities every new policemen had to cultivate.

A complicated situation demanded the pulling together of “wisdom, virtue and courage.”

He said: “If you cultivate these qualities, then when performing your duties, you will show fortitude, calmness and righteousness.”

Bands of the Colony’s Police Force provided the music as the new recruits paraded before Mr Tsui and Mr E. C. Eates, Acting Commissioner of Police.

*** 

SCMP, 18 Jun 1967 (Page 2)

Bid to combat trouble-makers
ISLANDERS FORM SECURITY BODY
More plan to follow suit

Inhabitants of Ping Chau, with a population of about 10,000, have just formed a Public Security Advancement Association to protect their interests.

Mr Lam Shu-chun, Chairman of the Rural Committee of the island, which. situated near Cheung Chau, said yesterday the association would work in close liaison with the police to safeguard the interests of the islanders and to off-set the activities of the “Anti-Persecution Committee” formed by a few leftist trouble-makers in various parts of the New Territories and off-shore islands.

Mr Lam said that almost 100 per cent of the inhabitants on the island were behind the move.

He said the formation of the association and its overwhelming support by the people proved that the trouble-makers had little support and were “very, very few in number.”

The aims of the association were not only to maintain peace and order on the island but to safeguard the interests of the people.

- Co-operative -

He said that less than a fortnight ago, because of the disturbance, the price of rice on the island rose from 80 cents to $1.60 a catty and many villagers had to sell jewellery to buy rice.

To prevent such an event from happening again, he said the association would form a co-operative to buy rice. It would then sell rice to the islander at the normal rate to off-set any increase in the price of this staple food.

Mr Lam also disclosed that other districts throughout the New Territories and other off-shore islands would soon be forming their own associations.

Tung Chung and Mui Wor on Lantao Island, and Hang Hau district near Clearwater Bay, had already formulated plans to establish their own groups, he added.

Meanwhile, many employees of left-wing firms were reported to be considering resigning because they were tired of being forced to join in anti-Government activities.

About 71 employees of two China products stores were reported to have sent in their resignations on Thursday.

The management of the two companies, however, dismissed the reports as “unfounded.” They added that not a single employee resigned during the past two months.

A Chinese newspaper said a render, identifying himself as a former employee of one of the firms, telephoned the newspaper on Friday night, saying that 28 employees of the firm resigned on Thursday after collecting their wages. He had predicted that more employees would follow suit.

The reader said that the workers were tired of being forced to join in anti-Government activities.

"Most of the workers do not want to break the law,” the newspaper quoted the reader as saying.

Another report claimed that 43 employees of a China products store in Yaumati left their jobs on Thursday.

For the past few weeks, the report said, the workers had been forced to study Chairman Mao's thoughts for three hours a day after regular office hours.

***

SCMP, 18 Jun 1967 (Page 3)

COURT RESERVES JUDGMENT ON GAS WORKERS

Mr T. L. von Pokorny in North Kowloon Court yesterday reserved judgment on three gas company workers who are accused of obstructing police in the removal of inflammatory posters, and assaulting the police.

Mr Pokorny also rejected applications by defence solicitors for an adjournment for more time to consult with their clients. The solicitors said they had only been engaged the day before the trial.

Mr Pokorny said the three men had appeared in court twice previously and had only requested legal representation at the end of the last hearing, having changed their plea from one of guilty to “not guilty.”

The men also had sufficient time to engage solicitors during the past week. Mr Pokorny added.

The defendants are Lam Kiu (47), a fitter, Yip Kam (39), a meter reader, and Choi Keung (37), a labourer. The police said they were part of a group arrested in a storeroom of the Hongkong and China Gas Co depot in Tokwawan on June 8 when police went there to remove inflammatory posters.

Yip is represented by Mr N. I. Billingham and Choi by Mr Samuel P. S. Soo.

In his submission, Mr Soo said the police constable who said he saw Choi strike another policeman might have mistaken Choi for someone else.

The three men were remanded to Tuesday.

Insp G. H. Harper prosecuted.

In Mr F. de F. Stratton’s court, a charge of incitement to commit malicious damage preferred against another gas company worker. Yip Chi-hung (41), was amended to one of uttering an inflammatory speech.

Yip was also charged with pasting up inflammatory posters. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to June 28 when he will appear in South Kowloon Court.

***

SCMP, 18 Jun 1967 (Page 3)

Jailed for having posters

An Urban Services labourer, who claimed he had been threatened by others into distributing inflammatory posters, was sentenced to four months in jail by Mr A. Leathlean in Central Court yesterday for possession of the posters.

Insp P. Linnert told the court that the labourer, Kwong Hoi (42), had been with the USD for 21 years and was recently attached to the USD main office in Queen’s Road East, Wanchai.

On June 9 when he returned to work, Kwong distributed to his colleagues two inflammatory posters from among a pile he was holding.

The posters were printed by the so-called anti-persecution struggle committee of a workers’ union and called for a general strike.

After having read the posters, the workers threw them away, but when they learned that other workers had agreed to go on strike, they reported the matter to their superior officer.

Police arrested Kwong in Happy Valley on June 16.

***

SCMP, 19 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

CHINA UNLIKE TO PROVOKE COLONY---SIR ROBERT
FROM HELEN FOK, A HONGKONG GIRL WHO IS A STUDENT OF THE HOUSE OF CITIZENSHIP

Sir Robert Black, the former Government of Hongkong, said in Britain that China was unlikely to launch any provocation against the Colony at present as she had “got too much on her hands.”

Sir Robert made the statement in a lecture on “Hongkong and her neighbours” which he delivered recently at the House of Citizenship in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

He said that China, through trade with Hongkong, received at least £220m a year in foreign currency. She would not want to destroy Hongkong as an entrepot(sic) and so gain no benefit at all.

- Precious -

“No one is so foolish as to destroy a precious stone,’’ he said.

Sir Robert said the recent lots were apparently a deliberate challenge to the authority of the Hongkong Government.

There had been widespread and forthright public support for the measures taken by the Hongkong Government to deal with the disturbances and preserve order.

There had also been Communist statements alleging that Government had been acting out of motives of enmity towards China.

Sir Robert felt that Britain, like the majority in Hongkong, had sought and would continue to seek friendly relations with China.

But the Government of Hongkong had the duty maintain peace, order and good government for the benefit of all sections of the community.

Britain was determined to stay firm and to fulfil her responsibilities in Hongkong, he said.

- Clients -

Sir Robert referred to Britain and the U.S.A, as Hongkong’s biggest clients, and Hongkong had also to look on the U.S. as “her neighbour.”

“America had always had massive participation in Asian affairs and an active interest in Hongkong, though not always a sympathetic one. Japan, being the fifth largest trading country in the world, was regarded as a dynamic and competitive neighbour to Hongkong, but the Hongkong-Japanese relationship remained stable.

Sir Robert then briefly outlined Hongkong’s relationship with her other neighbours, such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, which had all played an important role in the Colony’s economy.

- Social Services -

He touched on the question of social services in Hongkong and said they were excellent and had gained a proud reputation.

He emphasised that the wages of unskilled workers in Hongkong were rather low, although they had been increasing.

He believed that there should be a further increase in wages for both skilled and unskilled workers.

Improvement in labour conditions, including matters such as hours of work for women and young people and conciliation machinery, should be constructively dealt with.

- Cheered -

“Hongkong can cope with her situation in trade and industry, provided, of course, there is no world intervention,” he said.

Sir Robert's lecture was greeted with tremendous cheers from the audience of students at Hartwell House, and questions were asked.

Hartwell girls, who study international affairs and British institutions, combined with secretarial subjects, were greatly enlightened by such a high-powered and fascinating lecture.

***

SCMP, 19 Jun 1967 (Page 6)

NEW RUSE TO GET WORKERS ‘INVOLVED’ UNCOVERED

A Government spokesman yesterday urged all workers in the Colony to have nothing to do with appeals by trouble-makers to register for food and money.

He said this was just another ruse to involve the workers.

The spokesman disclosed that the trouble-makers, who had failed to persuade the workers to take part in work stoppages, were now trying to lead workers on by other means.

He said that at union meetings and other similar gatherings, the trouble-makers now talked in vague terms of a general strike at some time.

“They then suggest that workers should ‘register’ for hand-outs of money and food which would be supplied by the trouble-makers in such an eventuality,” he said.

“Workers to whom such suggestions are made may well think there is no harm in giving their names, addresses and particulars of their families in this way, ‘After all,’ they may say, ‘we have refused to strike ourselves, what harm can there be by taking advantage of this offer?’”

The spokesman said workers should see through this transparent trick as the “registration” had nothing to do with any general strike, real or imaginary.

He said the so-called “comfort money” was equally illusory as those few workers who had fallen for such promises now knew only too well.

He said the whole scheme was designed to make a worker feel that he had in some way associated himself with the trouble-makers who hoped that they would be able to bring pressure to bear upon those who had “registered.”

- Careful -

The spokesman asked workers to be careful when approached by such trouble-makers and to resist all appeals, however innocent they might seem to be on the surface.

Meanwhile, police are investigating a report that three students had been forced to write inflammatory posters for a group of men in Hunghom.

A spokesman said the three youths told police they were intercepted on a stairway by two men who asked them questions about Chairman Mao Tse-tung and the British Government.

They were then ushered into a car and driven to a Hunghom flat where they were assaulted by seven men, and later forced to write 120 inflammatory posters.

***

SCMP, Jun 1967 (Page 9)

U.N.A. Manifesto

A manifesto will be drawn up and sent to Government tomorrow suggesting ways in which it can hand over the administration to local people.

At a two-hour meeting of the United Nations Association of Hongkong yesterday, Mr Ma Man-fai, the Executive Secretary, said his committee had undertaken the project to “find a formula to decide the fate of Hongkong.”

He said Hongkong’s future should be decided locally and not by expatriates.

***

SCMP, 20 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Europeans Harassed By Demonstrators In P.W.D. Depot

The trial of three workers of the Electrical, Mechanical and Engineering Depot of the Public Works Department, in Sung Wong Toi Road, Tokwawan, charged with unlawful assembly, began at North Kowloon Court yesterday.

The three defendants, Wong Hor (37), Tang Long (40) and Cheung Wai-ling (48), pleaded not guilty before Mr T. L. von Pokorny.

Mr Charles Waterhouse, a mechanical inspector, testified that on June 8 about 8.30 am, when he arrived at the workshop he found the main gates locked and two heavy vehicles blocking the inside entrance.

He was allowed to enter. He then saw about ten people painting slogans on a wall and about 300 to 400 people assembled together.

He went to his office and telephoned to the police. After that, he heard more noise and he went out to the main gate, but was stopped by the crowd. He returned to his office.

My Waterhouse said he tried to leave by the back door, but was seen by a man who tried to strike him. He pushed the man aside and made his way to the rear gate.

Eventually, he found a public car which took him to a shop from where he informed the police about the situation.

As he was returning to the main gate of the depot, a squad of riot police arrived. He spoke to Superintendent T. M. S. Chalmers about the latest developments.

Mr W. J. Hampton, the depot's electrical engineer, testified that on arrival at the depot about 9am he found three or four people inside the gate. He had no difficulty in entering the workshop and found the place painted with slogans.

A few minutes later, Mr Hampton said, he heard the explosion of gas shells as the police arrived. Onseeing this, he ran towards the police, with the crowd shouting. A man in the crowd threw a pole at him. It struck him but he was not hurt.

Hearing continues today.

Mr Ross Penlington, Senior Crown Counsel, is prosecuting.

***

SCMP, 20 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Unlawful Assembly Appeal by Three Men Backfires

An appeal by three men against jail sentences for unlawful assembly backfired yesterday.

Not only did the Appeals Court Judge, Mr Justice A. D. Scholes, dismiss their appeal but he recommended that they be deported after they had served their sentences.

The appellants were arrested outside the South Kowloon Magistracy on May 17 and each was charged with unlawful assembly.

To Tim, (31) unemployed, a junk dweller, was appealing against a two-year jail term. He has been in the Colony for 30 years.

Leung Kam-hung (29), a barber, of 42 Temple Street, fourth floor, Yaumati, was appealing against a similar sentence. He has been in Hongkong for five years.

Siu Chung-chiu, (21), a garment factory worker, of 14 Ka Lun Terrace, third floor, was appealing against a 15-mionth sentence. He has been in the Colony for 10 years.

Mr Justice Scholes said that none of the men had behaved properly during the days of the disturbances, and because of this they should be sent away.

***

SCMP, 20 Jun 1967 (Page 8)

Young Man Acquitted Of Charge Of Rioting

A young man, arrested on a tram in Tong Shui Road, North Point, on May 21 was acquitted in Central Court yesterday of a charge of rioting.

Before acquitting Ko Chan (22) of Flat C, Kam Wah Building fourth floor, Shaukiwan, Mr P. M. Corfe, the magistrate, told Ko that his grandmother had impressed him as being a “very truthful woman.”

During the hearing, Ko’s grandmother said Ko travelled to her home in Mongkok every month to give her money. He was on his way there when he was arrested, she said. 

Mr Corfe said Ko had almost $200 on him at the time of his arrest, which was about the amount he gave his grandmother monthly.

Mr Patrick Flannery appeared for Ko.

Insp E. Bryant prosecuted.

- Many Cases -

Earlier, Mr Corfe sentenced Yim Fuk-sum (44) to 10 months’ imprisonment on a charge of rioting, and Fung Yan-fu to six months for unlawful assembly.

He remanded Ng Siu-fai (20) for seven days pending a probation officer's report. Ng was charged with rioting.

In another court, Mr N. B. Hooper sentenced four men to a year in jail on riot charges.

The defendants were Chan Wing-nin (35), Li Kwok-leung (41), Hui Ki-hang (31) and Ying Man-leung (32).

He discharged Chan-Hung (28), who was accused of rioting.