[1967 riots paper clippings] 21-31 July 1967 (English)

SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Offence To Spread False Reports
MORE RAIDS BY POLICE BUT FEW INCIDENTS

The spreading of false reports or false statements, either verbally or in writing, likely to cause public alarm or despondency, is an offence under one of nine emergency regulations which came into immediate effect by an order published in a Government Gazette Extraordinary yesterday afternoon.

The Colony, meanwhile, remained comparatively quiet, apart from a few minor incidents. The Police carried out further raids on leftist premises on both sides of the harbour, as well as in the New Territories, and seized weapons and inflammatory posters. A total of 23 men were detained for questioning.

A time device contained in a paper box was found hanging on a traffic pagoda in the Mongkok area last night.

A mob throwing stones in the Shamshuipo area was dispersed by police mobile patrols.

Explaining the enforcement of the emergency regulations, a Government spokesman said: “Since false rumour has been extensively used, Regulation 27 --- dissemination of false reports --- is brought into force and creates the offence of spreading any false report or false statement likely to cause public alarm or despondency.”

- Trial In Camera -

Another of these regulations empowers a court to order that a criminal trial may be held in a court from which the public is excluded.

The spokesman emphasised that in every case the decision to exclude the public from a trial rests with the court, and that an application for such an order would only be made where witnesses could not be induced to give their evidence in public, usually on grounds of fear.

He explained that these emergency regulations were enacted in 1949 and had remained on the statute books since then but without being in force.

“Provision is contained in the Emergency (Principal) Regulations for individual ones to be brought into force by order of the Governor and these nine regulations have been selected and brought into force with immediate effect," he said.

- Assisting Police -

“Most of the nine regulations are designed to assist the police in the present phase of their activities.”

The other seven regulations deal with power to seize weapons, orders for the opening or closing of premises, an obligations to give one’s name and address to a police officer or member of the armed forces on demand, powers to disperse assemblies, obstruction of members of the armed forces in the course of their duties, power to prohibit meetings held in private as well as in public, and the offence of interfering with any vehicles or apparatus used by the armed forces or for the essential services.

A stock of home-made bombs, choppers and a quantity of firecrackers was seized by police from a hut in one of two raids in Tsun Wan yesterday.

The bombs were found at No 60 Ma Sin Pai Village shortly after 5.15 pm. Also found were a dagger, a pair of binoculars, a catapult and some documents.

There was no one in the premises.

At 6 pm, the police raided a shop at No 1 San Chuen Pai Village and arrested the owner, a 29-year-old man, who had home-made bomb in his possession. Ten other men were also detained for questioning.

Police said the shop was a general store selling fire crackers and sweets.

Of the ten men detained for questioning, two were suspected to have taken part in the disturbances in the Tsun Wan area on the night of July 15, police said.

In Kowloon, at 5 pm, police raided the left-wing China Amateur Radio Study Group premises at 214 Fuk Wing Street, eighth floor, Shamshuipo, arresting five men and seizing many inflammatory posters, leaflets and weapons.

A party of CID officers under the command of Superintendent A. B. McNutt entered the premises without meeting any resistance.

They were supported by a platoon of the Shamshuipo Company, under Chief Superintendent A. J. Schouten, which later cordoned off the premises.

Weapons and implements seized on the premises included 20 sharpened iron pipings, a quantity of catapults, goggles and plastic bags, believed for use as gas masks, five chains and two water pistols.

The operation took one hour.

At 2 am yesterday, a tramway workers’ union dormitory at 490 Lockhart Road, third floor, Wanchai, was raided by police who detained seven men for questioning.

Police yesterday intensified its campaign to rid inflammatory posters from left-wing premises in Kowloon. A Communist bank's show window, displaying posters and pictures, was painted over with a coat of tar.

Some left-wing premises voluntarily removed the “atrocities" pictures, posters and newspapers, and one went so far as to remove a portrait of Mr Mao Tso-tung.

- Mao's Quotations -

Many of the China products stores also replaced inflammatory posters with moderate quotations from Mr Mao. Others replaced the things removed from its show windows with goods and merchandise as in the past.

Five lorry-loads of police, equipped with paint and brushes, swooped on left-wing banks, department stores, book stores and cinemas along Nathan Road in Yaumati and Mongkok shortly after 1 pm.

After tearing down most of the posters and newspapers, police told the owners that if any more posters of newspapers were pasted up again, the premises would be entered.

There was no reported police action on clearing inflammatory posters on the Island.

Two men were arrested by detectives in connection with the burning of rubbish on the tram tracks in Johnston Road near O'Brien Road, Wanchai, about 9 o'clock last night.

The fire, which attracted more than 200 people, was quickly put out on the arrival of fire engines.

After the incident, police and units from the Hongkong Regiment patrolled the area up till late in the night without any further incident being reported.

In general, the streets in Wanchai, North Point and Shaukiwan were quiet, with bars, restaurants and department stores, except those owned by Communists, open for business.

An object, wrapped in paper with inflammatory characters written on it, was found hanging in a traffic pagoda at the junction of Mongkok Road and Shanghai Street in the Mongkok area at 9.45 last night.

A report was made to the police, who immediately cordoned off several streets in the area which included Fife Street, Bute Street and Portland Street. Traffic was also diverted into Nathan Road.

Mr N.G.H. Hill, the Police Ballistics Officer, removed the object which, according to eyewitnesses, had a fuse sticking out from the wrapping.

After examining the object, Mr Hill said it was a time device.

A crowd of about 50 to 60 people, throwing stones in Un Chau Street, Pei Ho Street and Cheungshawan Road in Shamshuipo about 10.15 pm, was later dispersed by police from two mobile patrols.

Two boys were taken to Shamshuipo Police Station for questioning.

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 5)

Close Co-operation Among Welfare Groups Urged

Due to the fast growth of the Colony the time had come for close co-operation among all welfare organisations, Mr Koma Wilfred Cheu, President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, said at the Society’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

He said in his report that he and other members of the Society had attended meetings of other organisations, such as the Hongkong Council of Social Service, Hongkong Catholic Social Welfare Conference and the Education Sub-Committee of the Anti-Drug Addiction Action Committee.

“For synchronising our work with other voluntary organisations, His Lordship the Bishop has kindly asked Caritas, Hongkong, to render us assistance and guidance in this respect,” Mr Cheu said.

He disclosed that the Society in 1966-67 cared for 9,665 needy families while educational aid was provided in 2,800 cases.

Mr Cheu reported that the Society’s day nursery in Sau Mau Ping, under the supervision of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, was making great progress. There were 175 children receiving care and education there, and they were well-disciplined and cheerful, he said.

“The play centre in Lofungam, also managed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, has 220 children to look after. The number of children fell off somewhat since my report last year, probably due to the fact that some families like their children to go to kindergartens when they can afford to do so,” he said.

The meeting, held at Caritas House, was presided over by the Most Rev Francis Hsu, Auxiliary Bishop of Hongkong.

***

SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

AWARDS FOR SHATAUKOK ‘HEROES’

Paris, July 20.

Representatives of the Kwang-tung Province military district attended a rally in Shumchun last night to present meritorious awards to militiamen from Shataukok for their “revolutionary heroism” during the incident on July 8, Radio Canton reported tonight.

More than 10,000 people witnessed the presentation of a first class meritorious award to Cheung Tin-sun, a “martyr” in the incident who was also admitted posthumously into the Chinese Communist Party.

A collective second class merit award was given to the Shataukok frontier militia company.

The militiamen were praised for their “heroic counter-attack in self-defence during the incident, the radio said. ---AFP.

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

BACK TO NORMAL

Mr Bedford said that the situation on Shataukok was back to normal. Banks, the post-office and shops had re-opened.

He described a claim by some leftists that villagers were warned by the Communists to leave the place as a “sheer lie.”

(Photo)

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Liu’s Thoughts Obscure Mao’s

A huge red sign extolling the thought of Mao Tse-tung outside a company selling Communist publications in Central was partly painted over yesterday to read: “Long live the undefeatable Liu Shao-chi’s thought.”

The alternation was apparently the work of local anti-Maoists.

The firm is the new Democratic Publishing Company at the junction of Wing Wo Street and Queen’s Road.

(Photo)

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Border Trouble Described
POLICE ATTACKED AT SHATAUKOK

A village representative took part in two anti-police demonstrations in Shataukok last month, a District Court Judge was told yesterday.

Two police officers testified that they saw Law Kwai (54), a poultry farmer, in a crowd demonstrating outside a police post in Shataukok on June 10. Another officer said he saw Law hurling stones at the police a fortnight later.

Law, of Man Ok Bei Village, Shataukok, pleaded not guilty before Judge E. G. Baber at Kowloon District Court to charges of rioting and unlawful assembly.

Supt Duncan George McNeil described how a company of police under his command was jeered at and stoned by a crowd in Shataukok last month.

He said the crowd of 500 people had converged outside the Shataukok Rural Committee Building at noon on June 24. They carried banners, portraits of Chairman Mao Tse-tung, sticks, stones and iron bars. They shouted slogans.

- Heavy Barrage -

“The crowd called the policemen ‘running dogs’ and waved sticks right underneath their noses,” he said.

Then, Supt McNeil said, he heard tremendous shouting from behind the police company. When he turned, he saw a platoon of police stationed near the border retreating into a police post under a heavy barrage of stones from a crowd coming across the border. The crowd further stoned the post and set fire to a police Land Rover.

Supt McNeil said the crowd in front of the police company responded to this by waving banners and shouting slogans.

They then threw stones at the police. He gave orders for the dispersal of the crowd.

He ordered the firing of tear-gas shells when the crowd set fire to some straw outside the Rural Committee building.

The crowd dispersed and some people ran into the building, from where they again threw stones at the police.

A police detective, Tai Tak-hing, testified that he saw Law throw stones at the police during the incident.

Two other police officers told the court that on June 10 they saw Law in a crowd of 800 people demonstrating outside the police post. They shouted anti-British slogans and pasted the walls of the police post with inflammatory posters.

Law denied having taken part in any demonstrations. He said he had gone to the Rural Committee building at 11 am on June 10 to make a telephone call and then returned to his shop nearby.

Regarding the June 24 demonstration, Law said he saw a large crowd outside the Rural Committee building as he was on his way home.

“Someone in the crowd told me not to return home, so I went into the building and stayed there until the police arrived to disperse the crowd. I subsequently returned to my shop, as there was no transport for me to go home,” Law said.

Judgment will be delivered today.

***

SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Sanpokong Riot
POLICE KICKED AND PUSHED

A senior police officer told Mr D. A. Davies at North Kowloon court yesterday that when he and other police officers tried to protect a foreman of a factory from a large crowd, they were kicked and pushed against a wall by the crowd. They were freed only when an anti-riot squad arrived to disperse the crowd.

Mr V. O. Moss, Assistant Superintendent of Police, was giving evidence at the trial of nine workers of the Hongkong Artificial Flowers Works Factory who are charged with unlawful assembly.

They are Pang Fai (33), Tang Hung (37), Wong Kan-ning (25), Law Chun-wang (30), Chung Yuk-fong (35), Yau For-wan (38), Li Shing (23), Auyeung Chun-keung (22) and Fung Kam-shui (40).

Pang and Wang(sic) are also accused of assaulting Mr Hung Biu, the foreman, and Wong is additionally charged with intimidating Mr Hung on May 6.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Mr Moss testified that at 4.15 pm on May 6, he led a party of police to the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works Factory and saw a large crowd there.

When he and other police officers alighted from a police vehicle three men came running towards him. One of them took off his shirt, claimed that he had been assaulted by the foreman and demanded that the foreman be handcuffed and arrested.

Mr Moss said he tried to reason with the man and told him that the proper way was to make a report to a police station.

At that time, the crowd had increased to 500. They were noisy and more people were joining them in the shouting. Tai Yau Street was entirely blockaded, Mr Moss said.

- Surrounded -

When his party reached the rear of the factory, Mr Moss said, he saw three rows of people shouting in a disciplined manner. A crowd of people had surrounded Mr Hung, and when he and other police constables tried to protect Mr Hung, they were kicked and pushed.

After the police had arrested some people, the situation at the factory returned to normal, Mr Moss said.

Mr Michael Wong, Crown Counsel, is prosecuting.

Hearing will continue today.

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Prosecution Opposes Bail In Riot Case

Three men and a 17-year-old youth pleaded not guilty at Victoria District Court yesterday to charges of riotous assembly, forming part of an intimidating assembly and directing intimidation in King’s Road on July 11.

Judge J. E. Hopkinson fixed the trial for July 31.

An application for bail was made on behalf of the youth, Fong Kam-pang, of Lamma Island.

Mr Peter Chan, counsel for Fong, said that the youth came from a well-known family on the island and that many of the island’s officials were willing to stand surety if bail were granted.

Mr David Walsh, Crown Counsel, opposed bail on the grounds that Fong had tried to escape from the police when they attempted to arrest him.

- Urged Crowd -

He alleged that Fong had urged a crowd to attack a police Land Rover on July 11 and had then left the scene on a motorcycle which drove through red lights.

Judge Hopkinton thanked the many officials from Lamma Island who attended court on the youth’s behalf but told them that because of the special circumstances of the case he could not grant bail.

A fifth man, Sze Sze (21), who was charged with riot and forming part of an intimidating assembly, also pleaded not guilty.

His bail of $1,000 was extended. His case was adjourned until August 8.

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

TEACHERS, REPORTERS IN COURT

Twenty-eight people, including seven reporters of newspapers and 16 teachers and a school headmaster, pleaded not guilty at Central Court yesterday to a charge of forming part of an intimidating assembly.

Hearing was fixed for August 2.

While they were pleading not guilty to the charges, Kwong Po-man (34), a woman reporter of the New Evening Post, and Ma Chak (40), a teacher, protested very strongly and were removed from the dock. They were brought back after the other defendants had been remanded.

The defendants were arrested on July 15 outside Government House.

The reporters are from the New China News Agency, the New Evening Post, the Ta Kung Pao and the Wen Wei Pao.

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SCP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Used Umbrella As Weapon

A man who attacked a police detective with the pointed end of an umbrella at the vehicular ferry concourse last month was sentenced to 18 months in jail by Mr P. M. Corfe at Central Court yesterday.

Ngan Man-kwong (20), living at Nanyang Commercial Bank, Des Voeux Road Central, was found guilty of assaulting the detective, forming part of an intimidating assembly and behaving in a manner likely to make others apprehensive of their safety. He had pleaded not guilty.

Ngan was arrested on June 26. He was shot in the arm when he attacked a police officer with an umbrella, in spite of several warnings to stop.

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SCMP, 21 Jul 1967 (Page 10)

EMERGENCY MEASURES

LIKE all emergency measures the nine Regulations brought into effect yesterday have to be examined from two aspects. First, will they assist the authorities in their task of restoring and maintaining law and order? Secondly, are any of them of such a nature as to interfere with the liberties of the ordinary law-abiding citizen of Hongkong? As for the first question, there seems no doubt that the Regulations --- which are not new, since they were enacted in 1949 but not hitherto enforced --- will be helpful in reinforcing the tougher policy of dealing with the agitators which has been so effective in recent days and done so much to maintain public morale. It does not appear, in fact, that the new powers greatly exceed, if they do at all, those already conferred under Ordinances of a more general kind, but they pinpoint certain offences, such as the spreading of false reports or false statements, either verbally or in writing, and the storing of secret caches of weapons, which have obviously figured largely in the disruptive manoeuvres of the trouble-makers. The authorities and the courts can be expected to interpret liberally such matters as the holding of private meetings and the opening and closing of premises. We all know what kind of meetings and premises are meant.

As an unlikely illustration, one major topic of current speculation may be quoted --- the extraordinary barbed-wire barricade being erected on the roof of the Bank of China building. Rumour has been widespread and has ranged from the facetious --- washing lines or protection against an airborne invasion from the nearby Foreign Correspondents’ Club --- to the scarcely more credible theory that it is intended to discourage a “helicopter raid.” And although the logistics of such an event are more than a little hazy, it does seem possible that this is at least the ostensible intention. One says ostensible, because the plausible idea has been put forward that the construction is not actually intended for any practical purpose at all. Instead it is hoped to make a good propaganda picture for consumption in circles where, it seems, almost anything that is pictorialised gains credence, and where the notion of a bank skyscraper under serial siege might quite solemnly be entertained.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Explosion Near Police Station

Except for a small bomb explosion near the Yaumati Police Station last night, the Colony passed another quiet day yesterday.

The explosion, at the junction of Canton Road and Saigon Street, did not injure anyone.

Police, meanwhile, continued with their relentless efforts to rid the Colony of inflammatory posters.

Their targets yesterday were the left-wing Astor Theatre and three China products stores in Kowloon.

One platoon of anti-riot police surrounded the Astor Theatre in Nathan Road shortly after 3 pm and began tearing down the posters.

- Blackened -

Those that could not be torn off were blackened with paint.

Immediately after the police left, workers employed by the theatre began putting up more posters.

Earlier, another police party went to the Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium Ltd in Nathan Road and tore off several posters pasted on the show windows.

Two big posters placed on two iron supports above the emporium were untouched.

Police also carried out similar actions at Chung Kiu Chinese Products Emporium in Nathan Road and the China Products (HK) Ltd in Argyle Street.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

LAVATORY WINDOWS DAMAGED

Three windows in a men’s lavatory on the first floor of Kaitak Airport were damaged by an explosion about 8.30 pm on Thursday.

It was believed that a home-made bomb was placed there. There were no casualties.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

REPRISAL BY PEKING
Reuter’s Correspondent Confined To Home

DEMANDS BY N.C.N.A.

London, July 21.

China today decided to restrict the personal freedom of Reuters’ correspondent in Peking as a reprisal for the “unjustified persecution” of Communist reporters by the British authorities in Hongkong.

Peking Radio said the Chinese Government had told the correspondent, Mr Anthony Grey, that he would not be allowed to leave his residence in Peking until further notice.

Today's action by the Peking authorities follows a two-year prison sentence imposed on a correspondent of China’s official news agency, the New China News Agency, in Hongkong.

The correspondent, Hsieh Ping, was arrested during the current wave of anti-British demonstrations in the Colony.

He was sentenced on Wednesday on charges of unlawful assembly and taking part in an intimidating assembly.

Seven other reporters from the New China News Agency and leftist newspapers in Hongkong have also been arrested and charged with unlawful assembly.

The New China News Agency yesterday demanded that the Hongkong authorities cancel the imprisonment sentence on Hsieh and “promptly and unconditionally” release him.

Mr Grey, 29, was assigned to Peking in March this year after serving as Reuters’ correspondent in East Berlin.

Peking Radio said he was summoned to the Chinese Foreign Ministry today to be told of the restrictions on his free movement.

He was also told that the Government had cancelled the visa it had issued to him.

- ‘Provocation’ -

The radio quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that the arrest of Communist correspondents in Hongkong was a “grave political provocation” against the Chinese people by the British Government and the Hongkong authorities.

The official warned Mr Grey that he must abide by the Government’s decision or else he would be held responsible for all the “serious consequences.”

Mr Grey, whose home is in Norwich, joined Reuters in 1964. He formerly worked for the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich.

In Peking he lives in a three-storey European-style building in the centre of the city. This houses both the Reuter Office and his living quarters.

Reuters has maintained a correspondent in Peking since 1956, and Mr Grey is the seventh to be posted there.---Reuter.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Switch In Top Police Post
EATES NOW COMMANDS OPERATIONS

Mr E. C. Eates 伊達善, a veteran police officer with a distinguished record in several parts of the world, has taken over the direction of Hongkong’s Police Force.

This was announced yesterday following news from London that the Commissioner, Mr E. Tyrer, has retired for reasons of health.

Mr Tyrer flew to London last week for talks on the present situation in the Colony and during his absence Mr Eates was in charge, as he had been earlier while Mr Tyrer was on leave.

Mr Eates came to the Colony in 1963. He is 51.

From 1935 until he joined the Army four years later he was a civil servant. He attained the rank of major with the 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry.

Mr Eates served with the regiment in England, the Middle East and Europe and went to Quetta Staff College in India in 1945.

After his discharge a year later Mr Eates joined the Nigerian Police as an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

- Transferred -

He was transferred to Sierra Leone as Senior Superintendent in 1954. In 1957 he was appointed Commissioner of the Gambian Police and served with them until 1963 when he came to Hongkong.

While in Gambia Mr Eates was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service in 1961.

Mr Eates came to Hongkong as the Assistant Commissioner. Last October he was promoted to be Deputy Commissioner.

The Commonwealth Office in London, in an official communique, said: For health reasons, Mr Tyrer is unable to return to Hongkong and has sought permission to retire from public service.

“The Secretary of State has, in the circumstances, given his approval to Mr Tyrer’s retirement.”

It added that Mr Tyrer agreed to serve in an advisory capacity in the Commonwealth Office for the next few months, in order that his knowledge and experience might continue to be available to the Secretary of State during this period.

Mr Tyrer, who is 50, started his police career in Trinidad in 1937 as a sub-inspector. He was later promoted to Assistant Superintendent.

After a brief period with the Indian Police Force he came to Hongkong.

He was promoted to be Senior Superintendent of Police in 1951 and two years later he became Assistant Commissioner. In 1963 he was promoted to be Deputy Commissioner of Police.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

CASTLE PEAK GROUP INAUGURATED

The newly-formed Public Security Advancement Association of Tun Mun, Castle Peak, was inaugurated yesterday at the District Office, Yuen Long.

The Association has a membership of 3,000, representing more than 20 villages. Its aims are to combat the activities of trouble makers and to safeguard the interests of the 40,000 inhabitants of the area.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (page 6)

Gift To Families Of Pakistani Policemen

Presentations of $10,000 to each of the families of the two Pakistani policemen who were killed in recent disturbances at Shataukok will be made at Fanling Police Headquarters at 3 pm today.

These initial donations follow similar presentations already made to the families of the four Chinese policemen who were also killed.

The money, which will be drawn from the Dependents’ Fund, organised by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, will be handed to the Pakistani families’ representative by the Hon M. A. R. Herries, Acting Chairman of the Chamber.

Total contributions to the fund have now reached $800,000.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

KAIFONGS ORGANISE PATROLS

At least 20 out of a total of 33 kaifong associations throughout the Colony have formed security patrols to combat Communist terrorism.

The main purpose of the patrols is to watch out for any threat against residents or acts of terrorism in their respective districts.

According to Mr Yan Chi-kit, Chairman of the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association and Vice-Chairman of the Hongkong and Kowloon Joint Kaifong Research Council, the patrols were expected to have 5,000 members when the remaining 13 associations formed similar groups.

He said the patrols offered one of the best ways of ensuring timely action against people who plotted to disrupt the normal life of the Colony.

He agreed with the view of General Sir Michael Carver, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in the Far East, that Hongkong’s first line of defence was the spirit of its people.

[Gen Carver visited the Colony earlier in the week to discuss the current situation in Hongkong with His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, Mr M. D. I. Gass, and senior members of the Services].

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

LEFTIST MERCHANT DETAINED

Mr Tong Ping-tat 湯秉達, Treasurer of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and a member of the “Anti-British Persecution and Struggle Committee,” has been detained by the Police for enquiries following his arrest yesterday.

He is an agent for several Chinese official trading agencies which sell dried foodstuffs and sugar.

Mr Tong, who is also an official of the Chiu Chow Association, is a contender for the Vice-Chairmanship of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Tong was taken into custody in his home in Macdonnell Road.

(Photo)

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Leftists’ Bid To Burn Liu’s Quotations

Leftist elements, in an attempt to destroy the little red books of quotations of President Liu Shao-chi, at present on sale in a Tsimshatsui bookstore, slipped lighted kerosene soaked paper under its locked door late on Thursday night.

Mrs Smarlo Ma, wife of the proprietor of the Chih Luen Press, on the first floor of Mirador Mansions, said yesterday that the leftists’ action was “dirty” and they were just jealous and angry about the recently published book of President Liu’s quotations.

“None of the little red books was damaged in the fire which burnt itself out,’ she said.

The fire in the store was discovered by a watchman of the building while  making his rounds.

Mrs Ma said President Liu's book of quotations were selling like “hot cakes” and more than 25,000 copies had been sold since last Friday.

A fire broke out yesterday at the Holos Printing Press, publishers of President Liu's book of quotations.

A quantity of printing paper was burnt. The fire was put out by firemen shortly after their arrival.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

DOLLAR CAMPAIGN
Loyal Workers’ Committee Appeals For Support

The public was yesterday urged to support the dollar campaign organised by the Loyal Workers’ Welfare Fund-Raising Committee.

Mr Yan Chi-kit, Acting Chairman of the Committee, said at its third general meeting held at the Hoover Sky Restaurant yesterday that the campaign was only part of a scheme to raise money. Other methods would include full use of newspaper and radio publicity.

The Committee has already collected more than $150,000.

Regarding the distribution of money to transport workers injured during the disturbances, Mr Yan said that $500 would be given to those who needed treatment in hospital. Workers who were slightly injured would receive $300.

Yesterday, six drivers from the Kowloon Motor Bus Company and four drivers from the China Motor Bus Company received sums of money for their courageous service to the public.

The Committee decided to send a letter to the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, requesting Government to take stronger measures against terrorist attacks.

Mr Yan said that the campaign would end about the middle of September. A meeting would then be called, and representatives from the Press, radio and public transport and utility companies would be asked to make suggestions for disposal of the money collected.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Seamen Rush To Apply For Jobs
REBUTTAL OF STRIKE CALL

It was “full house” at the Seamen’s Recruiting Office yesterday when a large number of seamen applied for jobs --- a rebuttal of the call by the leftist Hongkong Seamen’s Union for a strike.

Mr W. D. Leighton, Superintendent of the SRO, said 225 seamen went to his office to apply for work. It was a significant number and showed clearly that the seamen intended to ignore the strike call completely, he said.

The number of seamen who sought work yesterday represented a sharp increase over the average of 120 daily during the past few days. There were 56 vacancies and they were filled.

In the 24 hours up to 5 pm yesterday14 ships cleared port, 10 carrying Chinese crews. Another 14 ships were expected to sail within the next 12 hours.

Mr Leighton said Government had approved a survey, to be conducted by the Seamen's Recruiting Office, on the way seamen were living in the Colony.

The survey will find out whether the building of a seamen’s hostel was necessary at the present time.

Mr Leighton said the survey would begin once a working staff of seven or 10 clerks had been seconded to the office from other Government departments. The Survey would take about two to three months to complete.

A recommendation for such a survey was made in the report of the Seamen's Recruiting Committee which was formed to establish the SRO.

Mr Leighton said the working conditions of seamen had greatly improved and their wages had increased substantially since the SRO was established a year ago.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Worker Praised For Staying At Posts

Three Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, who are also members of the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee, yesterday visited the Waterworks depot at Bullock Lane in Wanchai and the Electrical and Mechanical Workshops of the Public Works Department in Caroline Hill.

The Hon K. A. Watson, the Hon Szeto Wai and the Hon Wilfred Wong, accompanied by the Hon A. M. J. Wright, Director of Public Works, inspected the equipment and installations at the two premises.

They spoke to the workers and enquired about their work and their families. They also praised them for staying at their posts during the recent disturbances.

After the visit, Mr Szeto said he was glad to find that the workers were in high spirit and happy with their work.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Bus Conductor Had Poster

A bus conductor of the Kowloon Motor Bus Co, was jailed for nine months when he pleaded guilty before Mr T. L. von Pokorny at North Kowloon Court yesterday to possession of an inflammatory poster.

Ho Kwok-kei (25), of 199 Cheungshawan Road, fourth floor, Shamshuipo, admitted having the poster on Wednesday at the Kowloon Motor Bus Workers’ Union in Un Chau Street, Shamshuipo.

Detective Insp T. H. Chan said that Ho was among 230 people arrested in a raid by a combined police and military force.

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SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Caught In Wanchai Riot

A 17-year-old youth was sentenced to 18 months’ jail by Mr P. M. Corfe at Central Court yesterday when he was convicted of taking part in an intimidating assembly.

Wong Chun-lei, a tailor, of 104, Gloucester Road, cockloft, had pleaded not guilty.

Senior Insp B. H. Boyton said that at 10.55 pm on July 14 he saw Wong in a crowd at the junction of Johnston and O'Brien Roads.

He repeatedly warned the crowd to disperse but was ignored. The crowd threw stones and bottles at the police party. The police then advanced and the mob dispersed. Wong was “one of the last to leave the scene,” Insp Boyton said.

Wong said: “I was passing by when I met an inspector who arrested me.”

Insp R. E. Bryant prosecuted.

In another case, Lee Shui-cheong (30), a construction worker, of Flat K, 6 Tung Chow Street, pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a police officer and forming part of an intimidating assembly.

Insp Bryant alleged that Lee was in a crowd who threw stones at the police outside the State Theatre on the night of July 11.

Lee said that he was arrested without reason and that he was merely on his way home at the time.

Hearing was adjourned until Monday for Lee to call a witness.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

FORTY DENY CHARGES

Forty people appeared before Mr A. L. Leathlean at Central Court yesterday on a charge of forming part of an intimidating assembly.

Four men and a woman appeared in a separate case charged with failing to report the possession of arms.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and hearing was fixed for August 2.

The defendants were arrested on July 16 in the premises of a union in Shaukiwan.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Sanpokong Case: Judgement Reserved

Mr D. A. Davies at North Kowloon Court yesterday reserved judgment until Monday in a case in which nine plastic workers were accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly, common assault and intimidation.

The defendants are Pang Fai (33), Tang Hung (37), Wong Kan-ning  (25), Law Chun-wang (30), Chung Yuk-fong (35), Yau For-wan (38), Li Shing (23), Auyeung Chun-keung (22) and Fung Kam-shui (40), all workers of the Hongkong  Artificial Plastic Flowers Factory in Sanpokong.

Pang and Wong are also charged with assaulting Mr Hung Biu, a foreman of the factory, and Wong is additionally accused of intimidating Mr Hung.

Denying the charges, all the defendants made unsworn statements.

They said that on May 6 they were merely waiting outside the rear entrance of the factory in an attempt to see the manager to discuss the labour dispute, but the manager refused to see them. They described their conduct as disciplined and orderly and claimed they did not form an unlawful assembly.

Mr Michael Wong, Crown Counsel, prosecuted.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Shataukok Farmer Jailed Five Years
MAXIMUM TERM FOR TAKING PART IN RIOT

A New Territories village representative was given the maximum sentence of five years by Judge E. G. Baber at Kowloon District Court yesterday for taking part in a riot and unlawful assembly.

Law Kwai (54), a poultry farmer and a village representative of Man Ok Bei, Shataukok, had pleaded not guilty.

The court was told that Law was among a crowd of 800 who had demonstrated outside the Shataukok police post recently. He was also seen throwing stones at the police.

Law almost collapsed on hearing the verdict, but was supported by prison warders. Women and children, believed to be his relatives, cried loudly as court adjourned.

In passing sentence, Judge Baber said he was surprised to see a village representative taking part in rioting and unlawful assembly.

Mr D. J. R. Wilcox, Crown Counsel, prosecuted.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 9)

(Photo at top)

GURKHAS PUT ON PARTY

Gurkha soldiers stationed at Shataukok yesterday entertained about 100 children and some villagers with a band display, games and film shows in appreciation of their co-operation, friendliness and staunch support in helping restore peace in the area.

The troops, from the First Battalion, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, had to do a little coaxing to get the children to come forward.

They stood round the Shataukok Fishermen's Children’s School where the party was being held but were reluctant to move any closer.

- Fears Quelled -

An Army officer said they had tended to be afraid of all soldiers --- Communist Chinese and British --- since the shooting incident at the border.

But their fears soon faded away when the Gurkhas went up to them, smiling and with their arms held out in coaxing fashion. Soon there were about 100 children inside the school and the fun began with soft drinks and food parcels being handed to all of them. Children from distant homes were taken to the party in Army vehicles.

Commenting on the situation along the border, Lieut-Col D. O'Leary, Commanding Officer of the Gurkha unit, said things had been very quiet during the past few days.

Across the border, people were seen standing on the roofs of various buildings, apparently watching the British activities.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 10)

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

THE resignation of Mr Edward Tyrer from the post of Commissioner of Police will be regretted. He had seen long service in Hongkong and the coincidence of his failure of health with the recent disturbances brings to a premature end a career of great worth. However, there need be no fear that his replacement by Mr Eates will be to anybody’s disadvantage but the agitators’. Mr Eates enjoys the full confidence of his men and of the public at large and showed by his handling of the position during the greater part of the troubles a truly admirable command of the situation --- such as indeed, to make the reputation of the Hongkong Police force (and their Auxiliary allies) a watchword far beyond the borders of this Colony. The reason was not merely that the riots and their aftermath were dealt with firmly and with dispatch, but that it was never lost sight of that the police are an arm of the civil power and that it is their task to restore and maintain peace and good order with the minimum of bloodshed and violence. In some other parts of the world it has been the tendency to counter terrorism with terrorism in such circumstances; but not so in Hongkong.

The earlier career of Mr Eates has been such as to qualify him particularly for the onerous duties he has assumed. He is, perhaps rather unusually for a professional policeman, an LLB and during the war he saw active service in many parts of the world, being demobilised with the rank of Major in June 1946. He came to Hongkong in 1963 after police service in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Gambia. This wide and varied experience has obviously fitted him for the conducting of operations which, in their later stages and with Army co-operation, have assumed a para-military character as a result of the increasingly violent tactics of the troublemakers. As has already been said Mr Eates enjoys the full confidence of his officers and rank and file, and while it is much too soon to claim that further disorders are not in prospect, the Colony will rest assured that they will be contained, as hitherto, with the greatest efficiency tempered with all necessary restraint.

***

SCMP, 22 Jul 1967 (Page 15)

To The Leftists

Sir, ---- I address this letter to to (sic) our Leftist brethren.

Since May 11 of this year you have been exerting pressure on the public and the Government, professedly for the purpose of bettering the position of the working class, raising the poor from degradation and liberating the honest citizens from oppression. This was your three-fold programme. What you have actually been doing since that day belies your “proclamation.”

Two industrial disputes broke out between worker and employer at Sanpokong and Matauchung. Here was an opportunity for you to bargain with the employers to secure better terms of employment for the workers.

The Labour Department offered its good services for mediation; but you put aside all offers and deliberately turned the lock-out into a political issue and urged all workers to unite to overthrow the Government, when it was patent to all that the Government was not standing by idle but was deeply interested in bringing about a peaceful settlement of the quarrel.

Following upon this, you infiltrated every branch of enterprise, and by bribery, cajolery, stratagem(sic) and intimidation induced thousands of workers to stop work.

The final outcome of your campaign was that the poor deluded workers were dismissed from their jobs and are today without employment and without any visible means of support.

Now that you have upset the applecart, are you ready to support these workers and their families for the rest of their active lives, or is the gift of $500 your last and final donation to the people who have trusted you?

You have indeed betrayed the interests of the working classes.

And now, the poor. The poor we shall always have with us, as in every part of the world; yet, per capita, the people here earn more than in many other parts of the world. But the poor are not a forgotten class here. Government is solicitous for their needs: thousands have been provided with decent housing; the Social Welfare provides help to the needy; free clinics and hospitals are open to the sick and feeble; free meals are given to the destitute.

The public, too, have subscribed generously towards alleviating the distress of the poor.

Now let us see what you have to show for the poor. You have set fire to trams and buses on which the poor travel; you have practically starved them by holding up food supplies; you have partially burned down the Violet Peel Clinic which for over 20 years has ministered to the wants of the ailing; you have dragged their children from their classrooms to lead them into open confrontation with the authorities.

No, your hand lies heavy on the necks of the poor and you have made their lives ten-fold harder to bear.

As to the citizens whom you wish to “liberate.” You have subjected them to a regimen of terror; you stone them on the streets or burn down their shops or offices; you compel their children to walk miles to school and back by disrupting traffic; you have tried to force down their throats your “Quotations”; you have disfigured their fair city with your paints and your Da Tse Bao; you have destroyed the peace and comfort they have taken years to build up.

This is your bill of indictment: stand at the bar to be judged by an outraged Public: You stand convicted of crimes against the people.

And lose for ever the hope of doing a Macao in Hongkong: you have alienated the people by your barbarous deeds and the people will ultimately overthrow you.

OBSERVER.

***

SCMP, 23 JUL 1967 (Page 1) [South China Sunday Post]

BOMB EXPLODES NEAR ARMY FLATS IN KOWLOON: MAN HURT

A bomb explosion occurred outside the Army officers’ married quarters in Perth Street, Homantin, last night and a man, with serious injuries, including a shattered hand and wounds to a leg, was later taken by police to hospital.

It was believed the man’s injuries were caused by the explosion, which occurred about 9.15 pm.

A man was seen trying to run away but was chased and caught by army personnel near the junction of Argyle Street and Gullane Road, an eye-witness said.

He was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was detained for treatment.

A home-made bomb with a firecracker as detonator was thrown into the rear portion of the Hunghom police station about 6.40 pm.

The firecracker became detached from the bomb when thrown and exploded. The bomb itself failed to detonate.

The bomb was later examined and found to be made of gunpowder and broken glass.

No one was injured and no damage was caused.

A minor explosion was also reported opposite the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank branch office in Un Chau Street, near Cheung Fat Street, about 10.15 pm.

The police were investigating the cause of the explosion.

- Tsun Wan raids -

An unattended taxi caught fire outside Block 22 of the Tung Tau resettlement estate about 9.30 pm. The car was badly damaged. The fire was put out by firemen shortly afterwards.

Detectives raided two premises at Sze Por Fong, Tsun Wan, New Territories, last night.

Some documents were found at No 15 Sze Por Pong, ground floor, and four men were detained for questioning.

The other raid was carried out on No 12 Sze Por Fong, first floor. Nothing was found and no one was arrested.

In the Western District of Hongkong Island, police removed posters and newspapers on Communist premises along Des Voeux Read West and Connaught Road West yesterday morning.

In North Point at the same time, police arrested a man in the act of writing slogans on the wall of a building in King’s Road outside the Continental Mansion.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Peking blocks facilities for Reuter man

Peking, July 22.

The Chinese authorities today blocked attempts by Mr Anthony Grey, Reuters correspondent here, to telephone abroad and to send out cables via the Chinese staff at his office.

Mr Grey was confined to his house yesterday in reprisal for the arrest of three Chinese journalists in Hongkong.

The authorities refused to allow him to make telephone calls and send cables abroad, even private messages to members of his family. He has also been deprived of his mail.

Foreign correspondents and diplomats who tried to visit him at his home were turned back by police.

Questioned by telephone, Mr Grey said that there were three police officers stationed in his garden reading quotations from the works of Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

- In good health -

Mr Grey is safe and in good health, according to messages reaching London today.

He has adequate supplies of food and has been able to make telephone calls within Peking.

The Peking People’s Daily said today the restriction of movement of Mr Grey was a serious warning to Britain.

In a commentary entitled, “British Pirates, do not expect you can escape from punishment,” the newspaper said Chinese pressmen in Hongkong were being tried in courts on trumped-up charges.

Staff members of the New China News Agency's head office in Peking today sent a cable to “persecuted” Chinese journalists in Hongkong, pledging full support to their “persistent struggle.”

- Protest Note -

(A New China News Agency correspondent, Hsieh Ping 薛平, was sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Hongkong court last Wednesday for unlawful assembly and being part of an intimidating assembly.

(Two other NCNA reporters and five leftist journalists are also being tried on unlawful assembly charges.)

Mr Donald Hopson, British Charge d’Affaires in Peking, today sent a Nate of protest to the Chinese Foreign Ministry against Mr Grey's house arrest.

Mr Hopson also asked for consular access to Mr Grey. Similar action was taken in London last night by Mr William Rodgers, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, when he called the Chinese Charge d’Affaires, Mr Shen Ping, to see him.---AFP and Reuter.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

‘Colony situation firmly under control’

The situation in Hongkong was firmly under control and extremely well handled, Mr T. E. Clunie, Director of Criminal Investigation, said before he left on board the Italian liner Guglielmo Marconi yesterday.

Mr Clunie is retiring after 28 years with the Hongkong Police Force.

He said he was confident that the situation would further improve by the efficient handling by the Colony’s well disciplined(sic) and trained police force.

All ranks were very loyal and conscious to their duties and they realised that it was a serious situation, he said. He said they felt they were doing a “worthy task,” and their services were needed by the public and appreciated by the public.

- Career -

Mr Clunie joined the police force in 1939 after serving in the Palestine police for a period.

He was appointed Director of CID four years ago and was promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police in April 1964.

He attended the Interpol seminar on narcotics in Paris in November 1964 and the United Nations Congress on juvenile delinquency in Stockholm nine months later.

Mr Clunie said he thought of retiring when he returned from home leave in November two years ago.

Referring to his future plans, Mr Clunie said he had been offered many posts overseas, but he had not yet made any decision.

Mr Clunie was accompanied by his wife and two sons.

Mr Clunie was seen off by a large number of friends and colleagues.

The Police Band was in attendance at the Ocean Terminal.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

Inflammatory posters taken down

Communist banks, book stores, shops and other establishments in Western District, were cleared of inflammatory posters in a clean-up, operation by police yesterday morning.

Four carloads of riot police swept through the Des Voeux Road West, Connaught Road West and Water Street area.

Inflammatory posters and newspapers were torn from walls of Communist establishments and when this could not be done, black paint was painted over them.

A bank show window displaying pictures of the “martyrs” was painted over with black paint.

In King’s’ Road, outside Continental Mansion, a man was arrested by police for writing inflammatory slogans on walls.

While arresting the man, a police constable was injured when he was pushed to the ground. He was sent to hospital for treatment.

Police said the man had been charged with writing inflammatory slogans, malicious damage and resisting arrest. He will appear in Central Magistracy tomorrow.

Police in a pre-dawn swoop on a number of huts on the hillside round Holy Cross Path Village, Shaukiwan, yesterday uncovered a suspected bomb-making plant. A bag of firecracker paper believed to have been emptied to make bombs were seized.

The raid by a police company from Bayview under Superintendent J. Harris, supported by men of the Welch Regiment, took place at 6 am.

After two hours search of the huts, a man was detained for questioning.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

New moves against trouble-makers
HONGKONG’S GRATITUDE TO POLICE FORCE

(Photo at right)

The gratitude of the people of Hongkong to the Police Force was shown again yesterday when Mr M. A. R. Herries, acting chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce, presented two cheques of $10,000 each to Staff Sergeant Sahib Dad, of the Border Police.

Sergeant Dad received the cheques on behalf of the relatives of Constable Mohamed Mawaz Malik and Constable Khurshid Ahmed, who were killed in the border clash on July 8.

Before making the presentation Mr Herries spoke to about 50 border policemen gathered in the grounds of the Police Headquarters at Fanling.

- Owe debt -

He said the people of Hongkong owed a great debt for the sacrifice of the men’s lives, and asked Sergeant Dad to convey the great sorrow of Hongkong to the men's families in Pakistan.

Mr Herries assured the men present that “we will do whatever we can to help them in the future” and asked to be kept informed of the families’ welfare in their homeland.

He said the border police played a vital part in maintaining peace, law and order in Hongkong and thanked the men for their service.

Also present at the ceremony were Mr J. B. Kite, secretary of the chamber, Mr J. B. Lees, Assistant Commissioner of Police, New Territories, and Colonel J. D. Clague, Commandant of the Auxiliary Police.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

POWERS TO CONTROL OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

Government yesterday took new steps to counter moves by trouble-makers intent upon violence when it made a number of amendments to the Emergency Regulations.

A Government spokesman said the main purpose of the changes, published Ina special issue of the Government Gazette, was to give the police wider powers to seek out and control all kinds of offensive weapons.

He said:

“It is Government's intention that these amended regulations, as with all emergency legislations, shall be administered in a sensible and restrained manner in the best interests of the maintenance of peace and good order in Hongkong and that they should be withdrawn from the statute books as soon as it is considered practicable to do so.”

The new regulations take into account the weapons which trouble-makers are now using, especially home-made weapons such as acid or petrol-filled bottles, “fish” bombs and other explosives.

- Guilty -

Any person who frequents or is found in a place where arms, ammunition, explosives, corrosive substances, or other offensive weapons are kept, is guilty of an offence.

The spokesman explained that experience in recent police raids had shown that, unless it could be proved that weapons were in the physical possession of a particular person, it had not been possible to charge anybody with an offence in relation to the weapons uncovered during a raid.

“However,” he said, “a person charged with being on the premises where weapons are found has a good defence if he can show that he neither knew nor had reasonable grounds for knowing that the weapons were on the premises. This is designed to protect innocent people.”

The spokesman said that it was the duty of people inside a building which was being searched to allow police officers to enter the premises.

“With this in view, another amendment,” he said, “is designed to enforce this duty and to reduce the danger to which police officers are exposed when they are violently obstructed from entering a building.

“When a police raid is carried out, entry to a building is often obstructed by iron grills and metal doors and by physical force on the part of the people inside the premises. The delay thus caused may help people inside the premises to destroy evidence and, sometimes, to escape.”

The spokesman said that large quantities of acid or other corrosive substances, intended for offensive purposes, had been uncovered in recent police raids.

The new regulations increase the penalty for being in unlawful possession of these substances. The maximum term of imprisonment on conviction by a magistrate has been increased from six months to two years.

The spokesman emphasised that, in the present situation and in the interests of the public, the police force must have the necessary powers to enable it to seek out and seize anything which was capable of being used for violent attacks on law-enforcement officers or innocent bystanders.

It is also an offence for any person to accompany willingly, someone who has an offensive weapon and who intends to use it unlawfully. Previously, this regulation has extended only to persons in possession of arms, ammunition or explosives.

Another regulation requires a person to report to the police if he knows that another person is in possession of an offensive weapon.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

Rioter says he was ‘used’ by Communists

A waiter who pleaded that he was sorry and ashamed of himself for adding fuel to a fire on the train-tracks in Johnston Road, Wanchai, on July 20 was jailed for 18 months in Central Court yesterday for blocking the tramlines.

Tsui Kam-tim (21), of 146 Tung Lo Wan Road, Causeway Bay, told Mr A. L. Leathlean, that he had been used by the Communists who had promised him a job in a China products store.

- Road sign -

Insp B. L. Coak said that on July 20 in Johnston Road, a crowd of about 100 people moved road “Danger”’ sign to the tram tracks.

The sign was set on fire and Tsui was seen adding baskets to it.

A furniture apprentice, who admitted blocking the tramlines by putting the sign across them and setting fire to it, was jailed for 21 months.

The apprentice was Cheung Woon-hing (17), who lives in a hut on the roof of 10 Thompson Road.

***

SCMP,2 3 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

SEAMEN IGNORE CALL TO STRIKE

“I want to work and I want to eat!" This was the reply a seaman gave to a radio interviewer at the Seamen’s Recruiting Office yesterday.

He was among 135 other seamen who went to the SRO in Rumsey Street to look for a job.

He was asked by the Commercial Radio interviewer whether he was aware of a Communist call for a strike.

He said that most of his fellow seamen had at some time or other heard about this so-called strike, but all of them appeared to have ignored it.

He added: “I want to work, and I want to eat. This is my reason for applying.”

Twenty-three ships arrived in port in the 24 hours up till 9 a.m. yesterday.

Twenty-two vessels sailed from the Colony during the same period---nine with foreign and 13 with Chinese crews.

The ships that left included the Nan Hai-134, a Communist vessel.

Port facilities functioned normally, and there were no delays.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Boy stoned police

A 15-year-old boy who threw stones at the police in a riot in Shataukok on June 24 was remanded for seven days by Mr H. S. Daniell in Fanling Court yesterday to see if he is suitable for a training centre.

Another boy on the same charge was bound over in $300 to be of good behaviour for two years. His uncle also signed a bond in the same amount.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

OBSTRUCTED POLICE - BANK CLERK JAILED

A 20-year-old bank clerk was jailed for 15 months by Mr T. L. von Pokorny in North Kowloon Court yesterday for obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.

Mr V. O. Moss, Assistant Superintendent of Police, testified that on July 9 he led a police party to conduct a search of Kiu Wing Mansion Matauchung Road, Tokwawan. When they reached the seventh floor of Block “A” they shouted to the people inside to open the door.

This continued for nearly 20 minutes and there was still no response, he said. Finally, the front iron grille was broken and the police entered.

Ko Keung, the defendant, of Block A, Kin Wing Mansion, leaned against the wooden door, preventing them entering the premises, he said.

- Also jailed -

Another bank clerk was sentenced to three months in jail by Mr Alexander Lau for possession of instruments fit for an unlawful purpose.

Pang Hin-wing (31), of 73 Portland Street, first floor, Yaumati, had two brushes, two pairs of gloves and two tins of red paint on last Wednesday when he was arrested in Ferry Street, Yaumati.

***

SCMP, 23 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

REINSTATEMENT OF SUSPENDED BUSMEN

Kowloon Motor Bus Company said yesterday that applications for re-instatement from employees suspended following the recent strike were being given urgent consideration.

Many men had been taken back by the company to man buses as soon as they could be safely and efficiently put in service.

A large number of applicants had been re-instated, or would be re-instated in the next few days. Other applicants for reinstatement would receive a reply in the very near future.

In addition to applications for re-instatement, the company has received about 15,000 applications from people not previously employed by the company. These applications were also being urgently considered in accordance with the company’s employment regulations.

Interviews would begin in a few days for potentially eligible new applicants in an endeavour to bring bus crews up to full strength.

- Grateful -

KMB said it was grateful for offers from student organisations to assist in the emergency, but priority must be given to considering the employment of already trained applicants and to the training of prospective permanent employees.

It said conductors and gatemen could not be employed unless the requisite number of bus drivers were also available.

***

SCMP, 24 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

STONES THROWN AT POLICE POST ON THE BORDER

There were three incidents at the border yesterday when groups of children from the Chinese side stoned the Police Post at Man Kam To.

On Hongkong Island, a bomb exploded at the Western Police Station, while in Kowloon an attempt was made to set on fire a double-decker bus.

In all cases no one was injured and damage was negligible.

There were two border incidents earlier in the day, one at 11.20 am and the other at 3 pm.

In both cases the youngsters throwing stones numbered no more than a dozen and were between ten and 13 years.

At about 5 pm, about 150 villagers gathered on the Chinese side of the border near the Man Kam To Bridge. They dispersed a few minutes later without incidents.

About 45 minutes later, some 20 teenagers began throwing stones and bottles at the Police Post.

- Windows Damaged -

A police spokesman, describing the incidents, said none of the people concerned attempted to cross the border. Some of the stones damaged windows in the Police Post but nobody was hurt.

The spokesman denied left-wing newspaper reports that the Police Post was surrounded for two hours by more than 100 militiamen on Saturday. He described the reports as “complete nonsense.”

A bomb exploded in the rear compound of the Western Police Station at 9.30 pm but did not cause any damage.

The bomb was believed to have been thrown from a goods vehicle. It exploded about four feet from the steps leading to the Police Married Quarters at the junction of Western Street and Queen’s Road West.

Mr W. C. Trotter, Assistant Superintendent of Police, said that immediately after the explosion, a goods vehicle was seen driving past without lights and heading for Pokfulam Road.

The driver of a double-decker bus and the passengers had a frightening experience yesterday afternoon when a man threw an empty bottle into the driver's cabin as well as a bundle of lighted cotton waste when it stopped at a bus stop in Nathan Road, Mongkok.

According to an eye-witness, the bus driver, Mr Chan Kwong, jumped out of the vehicle as soon as the battle was thrown. The passengers also scrambled out of the bus, but no one was hurt.

The eye-witness said that while the passengers were trying to get out, the man who had hurled the bottle then threw the lighted waste at the vehicle.

The man, who was wearing a shirt similar to the uniform of the Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd, then ran to Soy Street and escaped.

Several shop owners and employees in the vicinity of the Liu Chong Hing Bank Building came out with buckets of water to put the fire out.

Police arrested two men in a raid on house No 17, Lo Wai Village, Tsun Wan, at about 12.45 pm yesterday.

- Documents Seized -

A triangular file, a knife and some documents were seized.

A small police party carried out a raid on Shu Yan School in Ching Wah Street, North Point, at 5 am yesterday. No one was arrested.

Police also searched the first floor of No 17-19 Whitfield Road, Block C and D, in Causeway Bay at 5.10 am. Again no one was arrested and no documents were seized.

Mr J. T. Bedford, District Officer of Taipo, has sent letters to ten village representatives and assistant representatives of Shataukok District, informing them that recognition of their appointments has been withdrawn.

The letters dated July 22 also informed them to return their representative cards to the Tai Po office without delay.

One of the representatives was the Vice-Chairman of the Shataukok Rural Committee who is also a member of the Heung Yee Kuk.

He was informed that he had ceased to be a member of the two bodies.

The Hongkong Tramways Ltd has extended its services to 11.30 pm. During the disturbances, tram services stopped at 10.30 pm.

***

SCMP, 24 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Police Frontier Base Moved To Sek Kong For Better Control

The need for more rapid communications in the New Territories, arising from the situation in the border area, has prompted Mr J. B. Lees, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, New Territories, to move his personal headquarters from Tsun Wan to Sek Kong.

Discussing this move in a radio interview yesterday, Mr R. J. Bretherton, Senior Police Superintendent, who has joined Mr Lees at Sek Kong, gave three reasons for this transfer.

He said that Sek Kong was closer to the border, more centrally located to serve the whole of the New Territories and was also the base of the military command which was helping the police to preserve peace and security in the frontier area.

“The emphasis in recent weeks has been in the frontier area,” he pointed out. “Operationally, it is much easier to reach the frontier from Sek Kong than it was from Tsun Wan.”

Although Fanling was even closer to the border, he pointed out that Sek Kong offered better control facilities because there Mr Lees would be in immediate touch with the military command.

Sek Kong was served by four major roads which offered quicker access to almost all of the New Territories, Mr Bretherton said.

There was no question of Mr Lees maintaining his base at Sek Kong permanently. He would naturally move to Fanling if the situation warranted, or he could go back to Tsun Wan with equal facility.

The original reason for choosing Tsun Wan as the headquarters of the New Territories Police lay in the fact that it was a developing township with the fastest growth rate outside of the main urban areas of Hongkong Island and Kowloon. It was also easily accessible to these urban area along an excellent road, he said.

None of these considerations had altered, and it was for this reason that the bulk of the headquarters were remaining at Tsun Wan, he said.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

(Photos at left)

Communist School Raided
POLICE FIND MESSAGE ON BLACKBOARD

Police last night broke into a Communist school in Kowloon Tsai and were confronted by a blackboard on which was written “Lay down your weapons and return home.”

A Police spokesman said it was quite possible that other Communist premises had similar ready-made slogans in anticipation of a raid by the police.

“This school, I am sure, did not know that we were coming tonight,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman, Superintendent A. J. Schouten, who was also in charge of the raid, said he was not surprised at finding the blackboard with the slogan which looked as if it had been specially prepared in case of a police raid.

Mr Schouten said he suspected that many Communist schools, in view of the recent operations by the police, were anticipating a visit on any day and at any hour.

- Forced Open -

The school raided was the Heung To Middle School in To Yuen Street, Kowloon Tsai.

The raid which took place shortly after 11 pm, involved one company of police and one company of the 2/7 Gurkha Rifles. A C.I.D. contingent was also present.

After receiving no response to their megaphone call to answer the door, police forced open a metal grill and gained access to the premises within ten minutes of their arrival.

Beyond the main door was a hallway with the far wall painted a bright red. On this was prominently displayed a large portrait of Mr Mao Tse-tung.

Elsewhere, the police found empty classrooms, some rigged with trip ropes tied to the door, which dragged down empty bottles and chairs when the doors were opened.

A man was found in a hut at the rear of the school. He was questioned and later released.

Further finds included plastic water pistols filled with an unknown liquid and theatrical javelin lances.

In the art class the work of the school children still lay on the desk, crudely drawn political cartoons depicting hate sessions with clenched fists and snarling lips. Some were marked “very good” or “excellent”.

Inflammatory banners and slogans were painted extensively throughout the building.

Also discovered was a small cache of empty cartridge casing and unexploded gas shells of the type used by the police.

It appeared that they had been used by the school for some kind of display.

Apparently ready for any contingency a cardboard box found by the search party contained 41 pairs of goggles, 28 improvised gas masks, 44 pairs of rubber gloves, various colourful handflags, possibly meant for demonstration purposes, with messages protesting against “illegal arrest”, and five boxes of glass marbles.

A police spokesman later said: “This is one of the biggest hauls of inflammatory posters we have found so far. It looks as if the school was being used as a distribution centre for this material.”

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

ANOTHER QUIET DAY IN COLONY
Explosion In Theatre

The Colony passed another quiet day yesterday apart from a minor explosion which slightly damaged a lavatory in the Grand Theatre, Chung On Street, Tsun Wan, at 9.25pm.

There was no one in the theatre, apart from employees, when the explosion occurred.

Police said they had not determined the cause of the explosion.

Meanwhile, Communist stores, including banks, have taken away portraits of their “martyrs” in show windows and replaced them with pictures of Chairman Mao and his quotations.

This move is regarded as a change of Communist tactics, brought about by the police stepping up poster-removing operations and painting over show windows displaying the “martyrs’” portraits.

A S.C.M. Post reporter who made a tour of the Island last night found that only a few left-wing organisations had anti-British slogans on their walls and windows.

Left-wing emporiums in the troubled areas of Wanchai and North Point closed early. All show windows were covered with iron sheeting except for a window displaying a picture of Chairman Mao.

In Kowloon, the situation regarding posters and portraits was similar. No further posters had been displayed outside left-wing theatres.

Meanwhile, a man arrested with hand and leg injuries following a bomb explosion outside the Army officers’ married quarters in Perth Street, Homantin, on Saturday night, had been charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property, a police spokesman said.

Police said the man was still in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

He is the first person to be charged in connection with a bomb explosion.

It was learned yesterday that some of the wealthy members of various left-wing committees had not been seen in public places, such as night clubs and restaurants, since the arrest of Mr Tong Ping-tat, Treasurer of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

The committees include the “all-circles anti-British persecution struggle committee,” the “industrial and commercial committee,” and other groups formed by merchants trading with China and local banks controlled by China.

Some executives of left-wing business organisations were said to be trying to avoid meeting friends in the street. Others had accepted invitations to visit the homes of non-leftist friends for a private chat, or even to meet in a quiet café.

It was reported that members of most, if not all, left-wing organisations were being supervised by one or two persons sent from China. These men, described as “officials,” posed as junior members of the organisations to keep out of the limelight but were actually in control, the sources said.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Bus Workers Complain Of Intimidation

A spokesman for the China Motor Bus Company said yesterday that investigations were being made into complaints that several striking workers living in the company’s North Point staff quarters, and members of their families, were trying to upset loyal workers through indirect verbal intimidation.

The loyal workers had planned to ask the management to evict the trouble-makers so that they could live in “peace and tranquillity.”

About 20 per cent of the CMB workers on strike lived in the quarters, it was learned.

- Taxi Drivers -

Meanwhile, several striking taxi drivers have disclosed that they have received another donation of $500 from the left wing “struggle committee” to carry on their strike for a second month.

Most of them declined to say how they received the money but one driver, a member of the leftist Motor Transport Workers’ Union, said his donation was delivered to his home in a Kowloon resettlement estate.

The driver said he had not visited his union offices since the police started making raids. He spent most of his time swimming, playing mahjong or going to the cinema. However, he added, he was keen on getting another job --- but not a driving one as he might be “punished” if he did so.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Busmen Urged To Re-apply For Old Jobs

Mr A. J. Shephard, the Commissioner for Transport, said last night that he believed many former bus workers were afraid to re-apply for their jobs for fear of reprisals being taken against them for having taken Communist bribes or for having been involved in intimidation.

He was speaking in a radio interview about the labour situation in the two bus companies --- the Kowloon Motor Bus Company and the China Motor Bus Company.

[More than 6,400 employees of the two companies who were dismissed when they failed to report for duty following the leftist “general strike,” have still not applied for re-employment].

Mr Shephard said although both companies had set time limits for written applications for re-employment and these had expired, the companies would still consider further applications for re-employment.

He said his office was aware that most of the dismissed workers and their families were intimidated. Many of them were known to want to resume work.

“It is both Government’s and the companies’ desire that all previous employees whose services are generally satisfactory and who are under this rather unfair pressure should be given their jobs back,” he said.

- Not Automatic -

But he pointed out that this did not mean that re-employment would be automatic.

He said a man could not be re-employed if there were clearly good reasons for not doing so --- such as if the(sic) had been a “prime mover" in the labour agitation.

However, he stressed, workers need not be afraid of discrimination provided they were not connected with the actual agitation. It would be foolish for the companies to willingly invite back their prime trouble-makers, he said.

“But these were a very small minority of the workers and many of these men, particularly bus drivers, were skilled men,” he noted.

My Shepherd said it took a long time to train replacements for the dismissed workers.

“We can train them. The bus companies have started training new recruits. There’s a very good supply of new recruits but it will help the companies and the public and, I suggest, it will help these men and their families if as many of them as possible come back immediately,” he added.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

HEADMASTER ARRESTED

Mr Wong Chung-ping, headmaster of the Sun Wah School in Tung Tau Village Road, was arrested on the school premises yesterday evening.

Mr Wong, who offered no resistance, was arrested on a number of charges, including failure to appear in court on an earlier charge.

The police party which arrested him also removed from the premises 119 inflammatory posters and a number of bottles containing an unidentified liquid.

Mr Wong appeared in North Kowloon Court on May 26, charged with assaulting a police inspector and obstructing an officer of the Resettlement Department during the demolition of illegal structures off Lung Shing Road, Kowloon. He was released on $1,000 bail and a $500 surety bond pending a hearing on June 6.

He failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

PORT NOT FETTERED BY STRIKE

The port of Hongkong handled more than 147,000 tons of cargo last week in spite of the “strike” called by the Hongkong Seamen's Union.

The leftist union had called for a seamen’s strike on July 17 to “further paralyse” "the Colony by halting imports and exports.

A Government spokesman said yesterday that last week, 106 vessels discharged 116,407 tons of cargo and 75 vessels loaded 30,787 tons. “These figures compared very favourably with those for the same period last year,” he said.

- Ships Leave -

In the 48 hours up to noon yesterday, 19 ocean-going ships, including four manned by Chinese crews, cleared port.

A total of 182 seamen reported to the Seamen's Recruiting Office yesterday morning and 149 of them applied for 133 vacancies.

Forty-eight vacancies were filled by noon.

The spokesman refuted reports in leftist newspapers that the Norwegian ship Hoi Kung was affected by the strike.

He said the ship, carrying 169 passengers and about 650 tons of cargo, had left for Whampoa on Sunday. She was scheduled to discharge the passengers at Whampoa and then unload the cargo on her return to Hongkong, he said.

- Leftist Threats -

Meanwhile, Wang Kee and Co, Ltd, a stevedore and transport firm, has ignored leftist threats that it should not “further attempt to break the harbour strike.”

A spokesman for the company said his firm was non-political. It was a business company, he said, and would continue to do business as it came to hand.

The company’s lighter fleet was immobilised a few days ago due to crews being intimidated, the spokesman added, but they were now back at work. Stevedores and tally clerks were working normally also, he said.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Five Deny Being Members Of Unruly Crowd

Three men and two youths arrested by a police riot squad in Wanchai on the night of July 14, denied in Central Court yesterday, that they were members of an unruly crowd.

They said they came across the crowd in Johnston Road near the Southorn Playground as they were going home. They had no idea that there was a disturbance.

The men, charged with forming part of an intimidating assembly, were giving evidence in their own defence before Mr P. M. Corfe.

- Defendants -

They are Tsang Chau-mei (24), a tailor, of flat 8, On Hing Building, tenth floor, Tai Wong Street East, Wanchai; Sze Kwok-keung (21), a painter, of 36 Johnston Road, third floor, Wanchai; Lui Kwong (22), a delivery boy, of 5 Wing Fung Street, first floor, Wanchai; Chan Chi-chung (19), unemployed, of 50 Wellington Street, first floor, Central; and Hung Fat (17), unemployed, of 6 Cross Street, ground floor, Wanchai.

All five men pleaded not guilty.

Tsang was represented by Mr Samuel Soo, of Ho, Soo and Wong.

Mr Corfe reserved judgment until Saturday.

***

SCMP, 5 Jul 196 (Page 8)

Accused Of Writing Inflammatory Matter

A metal factory worker was charged at Central Court yesterday with writing inflammatory matter on the show-window of the Rediffusion (HK) Ltd in King’s Road, North Point, last Saturday, and damaging a glass door on the office.

Mo Kwai-cho (27), living at Hop Shing Lee Metal Factory in Kowloon City, was remanded in jail custody by Mr A. L. Leathlean for three days for further inquiries by the police.

No plea was taken.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Court Told Of Raid On Leftist Premises

A raid on a Kowloon premises in which a large quantity of posters and weapons were found were described by a Superintendent of Police at North Kowloon Court yesterday.

Supt A. McNutt, in charge of CID, Kowloon, was giving evidence against four men charged with possession of inflammatory posters and failing to report the possession of weapons.

The four men are Law Ping-chau (24), an advertising worker, Chan Ying-ki (33), unemployed, Fong Shu-kin (29), a factory worker and Tse Kwong-hung (27), a carpenter. They denied the charges.

Supt McNutt said the premises raided was the China Amateur Radio Study Club at 214 Fuk Wing Street, eighth floor, Kowloon.

He said the raid took place on July 20.

When his party entered the premises he found the place filled with a large quantity of posters.

Some of the posters were hung on walls and others were kept in storage.

In another room, the raiding party found a cache of weapons.

Insp W. W. Easey is prosecuting.

Hearing continues today.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

EIGHT CONVICTED OF UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY

Eight men were yesterday found guilty by Mr D. A. Davies at North Kowloon Court of unlawful assembly during the disturbances in May at the Hongkong Artificial Plastic Flowers Factory in Sanpokong.

Mr Davies said there was abundant evidence to show that all eight had participated in an unlawful assembly at the factory although the degree of participation of each had varied.

Pang Fai (33), Law Chun-wang (30), Yau For-wan (38), and Li Shing (25), were each sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.

Tang Hung (37) was fined $200 or two months’ imprisonment and Chung Yuk-fong (35), $150 or one and a half months’ imprisonment.

Li Shing (25) was jailed for seven months and Wong Kan-ning (25) for six months.

Wong was also found guilty of assault and use of violence against the factory’s foreman, Mr Hung Biu.

Another worker, Fung Kam-shui (40), was acquitted of the charge of unlawful assembly.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Police Bombarded With Flying Bottles

An Assistant Superintendent of Police told a magistrate at North Kowloon Court yesterday how he and a police platoon were bombarded with flying bottles when he led a raid at 44-52 Bulkeley Street, Hunghom, on July 14.

The Assistant Superintendent, Mr J. F. Greene, was testifying before Mr T. L. Von Pokorny against 17 people who were charged with unlawful assembly, obstructing police, failing to report possession of arms, consorting with persons unlawfully in possession of arms, forming part of an intimidating assembly and possession of weapons.

“While we were trying to force open an iron door of the Whampao Dock Workers’ School at 44-52 Bulkeley Street, we were attacked by glass bottles thrown from the window of the premises,” he said.

Mr Greene said his platoon took an hour to force open the door and they used tear-gas to prevent the constant bombardment of flying bottles.

On entering the premises, Mr Greene continued, the police found an unidentified man wearing a home-made mask and holding a long iron spear with a sharpened point.

“Then from the roof, we worked our way down to other premises, including all floors of the building,” he added.

- Barricaded -

The police had to force open doors in the premises which were barricaded with chairs and desks from the inside. Finally, the police had to use tear-gas, and 100 rounds of ammunition were fired. As a result, an unidentified man was shot dead, Mr Greene said.

The police seized triangular files, spears, home-made gas, masks, helmets, goggles, a loud speaker and iron bars.

The 17 defendants --- 14 men, one woman and two boys --- pleaded not guilty.

They are: Ho To-tak, 20; Chan Kwok-hing, 20; Fung Kai-yuen, 32; Leung Tai, 47; Wong Shing, 25; Chan Fook, 39; Lee Kwok-yee, 20; Law Tong, 43; Ma Leung, 20; Cheung Shiu, 66; Cheung Chack-fu, 20; Chung Kam 45; Tsang Que-choy, 28; Chan Bill, 32; and Wong Hing, 47, a woman, and two juveniles.

Hearing continues today.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Threw Stone At Police

A worker who threw a stone at policemen in Kowloon on May 17 was jailed for 11 months by Judge R. O'Connor at Kowloon District Court yesterday.

The worker, Li Ming-wah (46), of B1 Tung Lo Mansions, tenth floor, Kun Tong, had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to a charge of unlawful assembly. He had been remanded until yesterday for sentencing.

***

SCMP, 25 Jul 1967 (Page 10)

CHINESE PRESS OPINION
New Measures Supported

WHILE leftist publications continued their propaganda campaign against the authorities last week, other newspapers --- the greater majority --- fully supported the emergency regulations brought into effect to help restore normal conditions in Hongkong.

The Wah Kiu Man Po said it was convinced that enforcement of the regulations would contribute effectively towards improving the current situation and bring about a return to stability and prosperity.

The newspaper endorsed the regulation which provides for the exclusion of the public from a trial in certain circumstances, pointing out that the dignity of the law courts must be upheld and witnesses be free from fear. Nevertheless, the Wah Kiu Man Po urged that the press should not be excluded.

EATES STATEMENT

The New Life Evening Post welcomed the statement by Mr E. C. Eates, Acting Commissioner of Police, on Government's determination to put down violence and warned those who belonged to the leftist “All-Circles Struggle Committee” that they could not hope to escape the law unless they repented.

The Tin Tin Yat Po said that the visit here of General Sir Michael Carver, Commander-in-Chief, Far East, was most significant, indicating Britain’s support for the measures adopted by the Hongkong authorities in dealing with violence.

The Wah Yat Po suggested that the “important people” behind terrorism should be advised to leave Hongkong voluntarily or face arrest and deportation.

Several other newspapers (illegible)ed on workers who had been led astray or intimidated into supporting the leftists to break away and start a new life, and the Truth Daily urged those who had given Government verbal support to do something more new than giving mere lip service.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

INSPECTOR INJURED
Stiff Resistance To raid On Shop

A police inspector was injured by flying glass when a raiding party, attempting to enter a shuttered rice shop in Sheung Shui, New Territories, was bombarded with bottles and stones yesterday.

He was Inspector D. T. Wright, of the Frontier Division, who was slightly hurt.

Two 19-year-old girls and a 65-year-old man in the store were later arrested after police fired tear-gas shells. Three other people were arrested outside.

The raid on the shop in Fu Hing Street, Sheung Shui, at 6 pm, was carried out by two platoons of police under the command of Mr D. J. Pearce, Divisional Superintendent of Police (Frontier).

Police said that for one hour, the raiding party was subjected to bottles and stones thrown from the heavily barricaded store.

The front of the store was barricaded with rice bags and in the rear aluminium plating was used to stop police entry. The rice bags barricade was piled 12 feet high.

- Cargo Hook -

When police tried to force an entry, they found the old man brandishing a cargo hook at them.

Because of the heavy barricade and knowledge that only the old man and two young girls were inside, the police took their time in forcing an entry, using as little force as possible.

When the police party eventually broke through, kerosene was set on fire in front of them. Firemen were called and the burning rags were put out.

Inside the premises was a lavatory sealed with wet rags to make it gas-proof from tear-gas shells.

A quantity of inflammatory posters, including cartoons, as well as broadcasting equipment, a large drum of kerosene, a cargo hook and bottles were seized.

A “tip off” led the police to the discovery of a number of weapons---triangular files, iron bars, darts and a long theatrical sword---on board four vehicles.

Upon information received, the police set up a road block outside the Pokfulam Police Post and searched all vehicles and people passing the area from about 8 pm.

Between 10.30 pm and 11 pm, the police intercepted two private cars and two vans. Inside the vehicles, they found the weapons.

The drivers were detained for questioning, but one was later released.

The released driver told the police that his car had been stolen the night before and that he had no knowledge of the triangular file which was found in the boot of the vehicle.

A small bomb caused a minor explosion at the Waterworks Depot in Bullock Lane, Wanchai, about 9.15 pm. No one was injured.

About 8.05 pm, a small explosion occurred at the lawn of the Far East Flying Training School in Sungwongtoi Road, Kowloon City.

Nobody was injured and the explosion was believed to have been caused by a firecracker.

A bomb was thrown on the wire fence of Gun Club Hill Barracks in Chatham Road at about 11.15 pm.

No damage was done and no-one was injured.

Forty-two people were arrested by the police in a raid on the Motor Transport Union on the third floor and roof-top of No 343 Portland Street, Mongkok about 6 pm.

The police met no resistance, and a quantity of weapons, including 29 metal swords, seven triangular files, two raft files, two chisels, two stevedore’s hooks, four choppers, one axe, a quantity of sharpened water pipes and two bicycle chains, was seized.

A large quantity of inflammatory posters, two bottles of unknown liquid, 227 goggles and 100 home-made gas masks was also seized.

No one has yet been charged. Police enquiries are proceeding.

Earlier, in Tsun Wan, a hawker reported to the police the finding of nine home-made bombs hidden in an abandoned chicken crate, in the rear lane behind the Grand Theatre in Chung on Street where a minor explosion on Monday night caused slight damage to one of the lavatories.

***

Left: Police stand by as employees, men and women, sit with hands clasped behind heads during the raid on the New China Products Emporium in Wanchai. (28 Jul, p. 6) //
Right top: Policemen in action outside the emporium in Queen’s Road. (27 Jul, p. 9)//
Right bottom: Detectives tearing down posters in the shipyard (26 Jul, p. 6)

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Four Men Detained In Raid On Shipyard

In a raid on a Cheungshawan shipyard before noon yesterday, the police detained four men and seized inflammatory posters, gas masks and weapons, including an air pistol, ammunition, a signal pistol and hunting knives.

The raid on the A Fai Shipyard at 861 Laichikok Road, involved more than 200 police and Gurkhas. An army helicopter also took part.

The units involved were one police company from Shamshuipo Division, commanded by Superintendent M. Taylor, and B Company of 2/7 Gurkha Rifles, under Major C. M. McCausland, which provided cordon duties.

The overall command was under Chief Superintendent A. J. Schouten. The CID party was led by Mr Alistair McNutt, head of the CID in Kowloon.

The raiding party found the shipyard’s main gates unlocked and detained five men near the gate. Inside the shipyard, 100 workers were rounded up.

In the shipyard’s office, the police found 13 men and three women. Six more men were found in a canteen above the main office which was plastered with posters. Another six were discovered on the roof.

They did not offer any resistance.

Mr Szeto Fai (46), the Managing Director, who was among the people in the main office, was taken into custody.

Mr John Ching Szeto, Manager of the shipyard and eldest son of Mr Szeto Fai, who was not in his office when the police raided the premises, returned at 1.15 pm and was questioned. He was later released.

Two other sons of Mr Szeto Fai---Mr Szeto Tuen, (22), an engineer, and Mr Szeto Ki (17), an apprentice engineer, were also questioned. Police found in their desks a variety of weapons, including an air pistol, with bullets, a signal pistol and seven hunting knives.

They and Mr Tse Yau-ting, the 54-year-old secretary of the shipyard, were detained.

The other people were allowed to continue their work when the police left the shipyard at 1.45 pm.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

WEAPONS
Public Urged To Give Information

Residents were yesterday invited to become unofficial detectives when Superintendent Augustine Lim of the CID, Hongkong Island, appealed for information on the whereabouts of weapons and explosives.

Public-spirited people who respond to the appeal will receive rewards of between $100 and several thousand dollars on the seizure of weapons or explosives, or on conviction of persons involved in the offences under the new Emergency Regulations.

Supt Lim said that up to now very few people had offered information.

“This is probably because they were afraid of reprisals. We have always offered rewards for information, but we thought that it might encourage the public if we reiterated our offer and assured them that any information received would be treated confidentially. The names of informants will be kept secret, so it will be quite safe for people to come forward with information.”

Persons having information regarding the manufacture, storage or possession of corrosive or explosive substances and offensive weapons should report to or telephone any police station or write to P.O. Box 999.

Supt Lim said that it was an offence if a person failed to report to the police if they knew where weapons were being hidden.

He showed reporters and photographers at a press conference examples of home-made weapons --- a petrol bomb, a bottle filled with caustic soda and sodium hydroxide and one which contained a fire cracker.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Had Inflammatory Posters

A 24-year-old advertising worker, jointly charged with three other persons with possession of inflammatory posters, and failing to report the possession of weapons, was jailed for 18 months by Mr D. A. Davies at North Kowloon Court yesterday.

Law Ping-chau was found guilty.

The other three defendants, Chan Ying-ki (33), unemployed, Fong Shu-kin (29), factory worker and Tse Hong-hung (27), were found not guilty and discharged.

- Arms Cache -

Detective-Inspector W. W. Easey prosecuted.

At a hearing on Monday, the court was told that Supt A. McNutt and a party of police raided the China Amateur Radio Study Club at 214 Fuk Wing Street, eighth floor, Kowloon, on July 20.

The police found a large quantity of posters and an arms cache on the premises. The defendants were in the building.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

HEADMASTER REMANDED

The headmaster of the Sun Wah School in Tungtau Village appeared before Mr F de F. Stratton at North Kowloon Court yesterday charged with assaulting a police officer and obstructing a public officer of the Resettlement Department on May 4.

Wong Chung-ping (44), who was on bail of $1,000, pleaded not guilty to the offences at a hearing held last month. He was due to appear at North Kowloon Magistracy on June 6 but did not appear.

The case was adjourned to July 31. Wong was remanded in jail custody.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Raid On Workers’ Welfare Centre Described

Ten men arrested during a police raid in Shaukiwan on July 16 appeared on five charges before Mr E. Light at Central Court yesterday.

The defendants are Chan Tse-yung, (23); labourer; Shum Chi-ying, (21), apprentice; Cheung Cheuk-sum, (19), labourer; Tse Kam-wai, (23), fitter; Kwong Mei (32), labourer; Ng Chun-man, lathe artisan; Yeung Yun-shing, (25), refrigeration worker; Wong Yuen-tik, (16), cooked food stall foki; Chan Fung-fat, (25), metal worker; and Wong Man-sum, (20), boiler worker.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful assembly, forming part of an intimidating assembly, obstruction of the police, failing to report possession of firearms and being in the company of other people possessing weapons.

The weapons, exhibited in court, included cutlasses, hatchets, knives, pointed pipes, bottles of acid and gas masks.

Yesterday, Inspector J. A. Elms described a police raid on the Taikoo Sugar Refinery Workers’ Union Welfare Centre at 188, Shaukiwan Road, at noon on July 16.

He said he chased some men up some stairs, but their way was barred on the first floor landing by an iron door which slammed shut.

Insp Elms said he shouted in Cantonese “Open the gate” but this had no effect, and the police party could not continue upstairs until a second police group opened it from the other side.

Leading the second group of police was Inspector Chan Po-kwong, who described how he gained access to the premises from the roof of an adjacent building.

He said that as they were cutting a wire fence separating the roofs they saw six men rush to the roof. They were arrested.

Hearing continues.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Weapons Seized By Police Produced As Exhibits

Steel bars, lengths of piping with sharpened points, triangular files, daggers, and water pistols containing acid, were produced as exhibits at Central Court yesterday when 29 people were charged before Mr P. M. Corfe.

The weapons were seized during a police raid on the Metal Industry Workers’ Union at 192-4 Shaukiwan Road on July 16.

The 29 defendants were charged with unlawful assembly, obstructing the police, failing to report possession of arms, forming part of an unlawful assembly, and being in the company of people who had arms in their possession without lawful authority.

All the defendants --- 26 men and three women --- pleaded not guilty.

Insp Lee Chi-yuen testified that he led a platoon of police in a raid at 192-4 Shaukiwan Road on July 16.

- Warnings -

The police repeatedly warned the occupants they were conducting a search on the premises, but there was no response. As a last resort, the police had to use explosives to blast open the metal door on the second floor. A group of people were discovered when the raiding party entered the premises.

One of the women defendants told Mr Corfe that she was only a cook there.

Hearing continues today.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 9)

District Commissioner Visits Border Town In New Territories

The Hon K.S. Kinghorn, District Commissioner, New Territories, yesterday called on the Ta Ku Ling Rural Committee Office and discussed the needs of this border town and the welfare of the inhabitants with their leaders.

He was met by Mr Chan Yau-choi, Chairman of the Committee, and his officers.

Mr Kinghorn said a fairly large section of Ta Ku Ling lay within the closed area, so the pace of urbanisation could not be as fast as other more centrally located areas.

“But bearing in mind these disadvantages, I am greatly impressed by the orderliness, the peace and contentment which is everywhere evident in the Ta Ku Ling district, particularly in the villages close to the border,” My Kinghorn said.

Members of the Committee once again expressed their firm support for Government in keeping law and order in the present disturbances.

Following his visit to the border town, Mr Kinghorn called on the Fanling Rural Committee and observed that the recently formed Public Security Advancement Association “was overwhelmingly strong, that compared with other areas in the New Territories, Fanling had been very quiet.”

- Full Support -

He told Mr Pang Fu-wah, Chairman of the Fanling Rural Committee, that the Association had his full support in its role of assisting Government to maintain order and stability.

The fishing community of Tai O, Lantao, has its own Public Security Advancement Association. Formed a month ago with a committee of seven members, and with Mr Chan Yiu, a prominent village elder and a recipient of the Badge of Honour as President, the Association has now 9,855 members from all walks of life---fishermen, farmers, shop-keepers and workers.

Its aims are to support Government in maintaining law and good order; to stabilise food prices; to promote the prosperity of the local economy; and to disseminate the truth to members.

When the Association came into being some four weeks ago, it was the time when prices of rice soared sky-high. With special consignments of rice direct from importers, the Association was able to restore prices to normal practically overnight.

The Association has village guards with volunteers from the younger set sharing shift beach patrols.

Yesterday, Mr E. B. Wiggham, District Officer, South, Mr J. Pun and Mr David Wong of the District Office, met officials and members of the Association at the field office of the District Office at Tai O.

***

SCMP, 26 Jul 1967 (Page 9)

U.S. PAPER SAYS LIFE IN COLONY NORMAL

The Wall Street Journal said life in the Colony had continued at a near normal pace despite prolonged Communist efforts to win an ill-defined victory for the political lines of Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

In a special report by its Hongkong correspondent, the paper said the belief was spreading that the local Government could and would contain the disturbances and bring back some of the normalcy that existed before May, however less complacent it might be.

It reported that the Colony's textile mills spun and weaved at near capacity rates for traders who had set yet another export record during the year's first six months.

The paper said that an inquiring American mind was often reminded that even at its worst, the violence in Hongkong did not match that just ended in Newark.

“There has been no looting and little property damage in Hongkong despite Communist use of hooligans to supplement loyal followers,” it said.

The Communists’ action had not only failed in their attack on the British authorities but their programme had also driven away whatever popular backing there was among the Chinese population.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Deliberate Wastage By Communists

Suspicions that the local Communists have been deliberately wasting mains water in an attempt to undermine the morale of the people have been confirmed.

The police found evidence of this deplorable action when they raided the premises of the Motor Transport Workers Union in Portland Street on Tuesday.

The raiding party found no fewer than five taps fully turned on in the second and third floors of the four-storey building.

- Gutter -

Rubber hoses were attached to at least two of the taps. One of the hoses directed water into a gutter in the kitchen on the second floor, while the other carried water out of a window into another gutter.

Water from the other taps flowed into sinks which had no plugs.

The police officer who tuned off the taps said afterwards that there were no words to describe adequately this latest despicable action of the Communists.

Some independent Chinese newspapers in Hongkong have charged that this sabotage of water resources has been going on in many premises under the control of Communist organisations, including certain banks.

- Allegation -

The New China News Agency, yesterday accused the authorities in Hongkong of imposing restrictions on the supply of water to “force Chinese compatriots ta give up their struggle against British brutality.”

The agency said the “Chinese patriots” had condemned the authorities  “for persecuting Chinese compatriots by restricting water supplies.”

“Immediate cancellation of the restrictions has been demanded,” it added.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

RENEWED RIOTS IN KOWLOON
Crowds Stone And Set Fire To Numerous Vehicles
ONE MAN SHOT DEAD

(Photo at right)

Rioting broke out again in Kowloon in the Mongkok area last night, when crowds stoned and set fire to vehicles, and a bomb was thrown at a double-decker bus in Nathan Road, injuring the driver and a passenger.

The man who threw the bomb was shot and fatally wounded by a detective who happened to be in a department store nearby.

During the evening, two bombs were thrown at a military vehicle escorting a bus, slightly injuring a British soldier.

Two bomb explosions also occurred in Kun Tong. One man suffered minor injuries.

The disturbance in Mongkok broke out about 9 pm when a crowd of about 40 people, mostly youths, gathered outside the Hang Seng Bank at the junction of Nathan Road and Argyle Street.

The group later divided into two. The first group went along Nathan Road and stopped a nine-seater van outside the Sun Ya Hotel.

They tried to set fire to the vehicle but failed. The van rammed some railings on the pavement while attempting to escape. The group then turned over some bus signs.

The group later stopped a double-decker bus at the junction of Nelson Street and Nathan Road. They tried but failed to set fire to the vehicle.

A man among the crowd then threw a bomb at the front of the bus and injured the legs of the driver, Mr Wong Fai (39), and a passenger.

At the same time, pamphlets were distributed in the street, where slogans had earlier been painted.

The bus driver was later helped to a nearby store to wait for an ambulance.

A detective who happened to be in a department store nearby saw the attack. He shouted to the man to stop and when his warning was not heeded, he opened fire, fatally wounding him.

- Bomb Exploded -

Shortly after the bus was attacked, two police vehicles which passed by were attacked with bombs. One of the police cars was slightly damaged.

A little later, the police found a home-made bomb fixed to a metal railing in the centre of Nathan Road opposite the Bank of America.

The police cordoned off the area and Mr Norman Hill, the Police Ballistics Officer, put a charge to the bomb which was well covered by sandbags and exploded it shortly after 11 pm.

The explosion rocked a big part of the area.

Meanwhile, two taxis were set alight by crowds in Reclamation Street and Shanghai Street.

Another New Territories taxi was intercepted by a crowd in Reclamation Street near Nelson Street.

The crowd overturned the vehicle and set fire to it. The driver, Mr Ng Pong, managed to escape after he was nearly attacked.

- Water Fetched -

On hearing the police approaching, the crowd ran away and Mr Ng fetched water from nearby shops and put out the fire.

A nine-seater van travelling along Reclamation Street was also stoned about the same time.

Its windscreen was completely smashed. A crowd overturned the vehicle and set fire to it.

The driver, Mr Yip Wah, escaped without injuries.

Traffic in the area was badly disrupted and had to be diverted. The scene was one of confusion and disorder.

Large crowds gathered in the vicinity. The police later arrived and fired tear-gas to disperse the people.

The area became quiet again after 10pm.

A crowd appeared about the same time in Luen Wan Street near the Yaumati Railway Station, overlooking the Public Works Department depot.

The crowd, threw a fire ball at the depot but it did not spread and the fire was put out shortly afterwards.

The police then arrived and searched the people in the vicinity.

It was reported that a youth was arrested when he was making a call inside a telephone booth nearby.

At 9.45 pm, two bombs were thrown at a military vehicle which was escorting a bus in Nathan Road near Jordan Road.

A British soldier suffered a minor injury. Both the army vehicle and the bus were slightly damaged but they were able to proceed to the bus depot in Laichikok.

- Weak Explosion -

About the same time, another explosion occurred outside the Caritas Medical Centre near the So Uk Estate, Shamshuipo.

It was a weak explosion and no one was injured.

At 10.05 pm, two explosions occurred in Kun Tong. The first one was outside a Hongkong and Shanghai Bank sub-office, injuring one person slightly.

The other one was in a public telephone box. No one was injured.

Another explosion occurred in Sai Yee Street, Mongkok. It damaged a vehicle belonging to the Urban Services Department. No one was in the car and no one was hurt.

On Hongkong Island, an explosion occurred at the compound of the Shaukiwan Police Station at 10.50 pm.

It was believed that someone had thrown a fish bomb over the wall into the compound. No damage or casualties were reported.

Plainclothes policemen arrested three men outside the Kowloon City Ferry Pier at 10.30 pm after they had been seen putting up inflammatory posters. The police found offensive weapons on their person.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Armed Man Attacked Police Guard

A man was arrested inside the police married quarters in Canton Road, Kowloon, when he climbed into the rear of the C Block building and attacked two policemen on guard duty with a knife, shortly after 3 am yesterday.

One of the policemen received slight injuries, a police report said.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Banks Will Accept Donations To Fund

Donations to the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce Fund can now be made at any of 200 offices of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Chartered Bank.

The Fund, which is for the dependants of those killed while maintaining law and order in the Colony, has reached more than $800,000. The Fund has an initial target of $1m.

Presentations, totalling $60,000, have already been made to the families of the six policemen killed recently and further presentations are expected to be made shortly.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Distorted Reports Cause Concern In Britain

Alarmist reports on the situation in Hongkong which had appeared in leading newspapers in Britain could have serious effects on the Colony’s economy, said Mr E. G. A. Grimwood, Managing Director of John D. Hutchinson (UK) Ltd, yesterday.

Mr Grimwood, a former director of the London Office of the Hongkong Government, who is visiting the Colony on business, said there was evidence of anxiety regarding Hongkong's situation in business circles in England, but this had not reached “enormous” proportions.”

He said that reports of the disturbances had been so inaccurate and exaggerated that he fully expected to find rioting on every street corner when he arrived.

Even I had been slightly brainwashed by these stories, he added.

Mr Grimwood said there was still time to remedy the situation and he commended the Government Information Services, the Trade Development Council and other local groups for their impressive efforts to present a realistic picture of the local scene.

He appealed to local businessmen to co-operate with Government's efforts.

“I would like to see all local businesses taking time out to write to their customers in Britain so that they can refute the unfounded reports circulating in England,” he declared.

As an example of the widespread ignorance of the situation in the Colony, he quoted the example of a recent BBC television interview in which he was asked by the interviewer what plans his company had made for evacuating personnel.

- Tunnel -

“I told him that we were building a tunnel across the harbour --- but that it would take a long time to build and would not be used for escape purposes,” he recalled.

Mr Grimwood, who was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hongkong House in London during April, said that he would do his best to present a realistic report of the Colony’s situation when he returned to England.

“I hope to have another interview on television and to spread information through Hongkong House, but the situation calls for more than this. It would be very helpful if local people would visit England themselves and tour the country giving lectures,” he said.

Mr Grimwood, who arrived on Friday, will leave for England next Wednesday. He is staying at the Mandarin.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Warning To Public As Blast Injures Nine People

Government said yesterday that the Communists had now resorted to the use of booby traps to disrupt law and order in the Colony and warned the public to keep away from suspicious-looking objects.

The warning followed an explosion yesterday morning in the Whitty Street tram terminus in which nine people, including three schoolchildren, were injured.

A police spokesman described the explosion, caused by a crude home-made bomb, as “the most callous yet to be conceived by the unfeeling minds of men intent on inflicting hurt without discriminating among their victims.”

- Tram Queue -

The victims were in a tram queue when the bomb, believed to be concealed inside a straw effigy propped against a wall adjacent to the queue, exploded.

The three injured schoolchildren are Wong Hung-ping, 11, who suffered lip and abdomen injuries, and two girls, Cheung Yin-fun, 16, and Cheuk Wan-kit, 15, whose bodies and legs were lacerated.

The other victims, five men and a woman, also suffered body lacerations.

They are Tan Chan Cahota, 23, Wong Sik-choy, 52, Young Chung-hing, 50, Yip Man-ton, 46, Cheuk Fan-chor, 39 and Hui Hang-sze, 24.

They are all in Queen Mary Hospital now.

An hour after the Whitty Street explosion, a straw effigy was found hanging on a traffic signal outside the Central Market in Queen's Road Central.

Police cordoned off the area and west-bound traffic was diverted to Pottinger Street to enable the removal of the effigy.

Mr Norman Hull, Police Ballistics Officer, wearing a bombproof outfit, lowered the effigy but no bomb was found. Hundreds of people stood outside the cordon to watch the operation.

Yesterday morning, some teenagers attempted to set fire to the Branch office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in Hollywood Road.

Firemen put out the flames.

- Severe -

Meanwhile, three men who have been charged with causing explosions liable to endanger life and property and who are now in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, have been told they would never fully regain the use of their injured hands.

The men were discovered with severe injuries following bomb-throwing incidents last week. One of them might lose his right arm, a hospital spokesman said.

“Two have already been operated on and some of their fingers have been amputated. The third may have to have his entire arm amputated to save his life, because there is a grave danger that gangrene infection may set in," the spokesman added.

The men are Tong Ching-ping, (29) Mok Cheung, (42) and Leung Kin-chung, (32).

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Members Of Union Deny Police Allegations

Twenty-nine police, including six women, told Mr P. M. Corfe at Central Court yesterday that the Metal Industry Workers’ Union in Shakiwan was a lawful organisation and that they were entitled to go there.

The defendants, who were arrested in the union premises on July 16, are charged with unlawful assembly, forming part of an unlawful assembly, obstructing the police, failing to report possession of arms and being in the company of people possessing arms without lawful authority.

Denying the charges in statements from the dock, the defendants said they were having their lunch when the police arrested them. They said the police never asked them to open the union’s main door and they claimed that the steel bars, iron pipes with sharpened points and triangular files produced as exhibits in court, were fools they used in their trade.

Four defendants, To Mei (21), Wong Hoi-lin (23), both women, Wong Pui-sung (26) and Chau Chu-ming (24), said they had gone to the union to look for friends when they were arrested.

Lai Ngan-choi, a 36-year-old woman defendant, said, she was a cook employed by the union.

Mr Corfe reserved judgment until next Monday.

Mr David Wilcox, Crown Counsel, prosecuted.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Prosecution Drops Charges Against Four Men

Four men were acquitted at Central Court yesterday when the prosecution withdrew charges against them on the advice of Mr E. Light, the magistrate.

The men, together with six other co-defendants, were originally charged with unlawful assembly, forming part of an intimidating assembly, obstructing the police, failing to report possession of firearms and being in the company of people possessing weapons.

The police also dropped all the charges, except that of obstruction, against the other six defendants.

Acquitted were Chan Tse-yung (23), labourer; Shum Chi-ying (21), apprentice; Cheung Cheuk-sum (19), labourer; and Tse Kam-wai (23), fitter.

- Defendants -

The other defendants were Kwong Mei (32), labourer; Ng Chun-man (32), lathe artisan; Yeung Yun-shing (25), refrigeration worker; Chan Fung-fat (25), metal worker; Wong Man-sum (20), boiler worker, and a 16-year-old boy.

All the defendants had pleaded not guilty.

After evidence had been given by two prosecution witnesses, Mr Light asked Mr J. E. Collins, Senior Inspector, who was prosecuting, about the nature of further evidence to be given. He then adjourned the case to review the evidence already given in order to consider whether it was advisable for the prosecution to proceed.

When court resumed, Mr Light said he did not think the prosecution's evidence could support its case, and advised Mr Collins not to proceed with the first four defendants, and to proceed with the charge of obstruction only against the other six defendants.

In statements from the dock, the six defendants denied having obstructed the police.

Mr Light will deliver judgment this morning.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

To Recommend Deportation Of Salesman

A 21-year-old salesman of the Yue Hwa Chinese Products Company was jailed for 21 months yesterday by Mr F. de F. Stratton at North Kowloon Court on charges of painting inflammatory slogans and resisting arrest.

The police offered no evidence on a third charge of assault against the defendant, Hui Cheong-nam, of 580 Nathan Road, third floor. Hui pleaded guilty to the two other charges.

Inspector L. W. C. MacKenzie, said that on Monday night a party of police on mobile patrol saw 15 people gather near Poplar Street and Yue Chau Street, in Laichikok.

- Slogans -

When they alighted from their vehicle, they saw three men, including Hui, painting slogans on the surface of the road. A police corporal arrested Hui, but the other two escaped.

Hui struggled with the corporal and when two other policemen came to help, Hui seized hold of a policeman’s revolver holster and tried to pull the weapon from it.

Hui was eventually overpowered after a fierce struggle with the police officers, Insp MacKenzie added.

Mr Stratton, in passing sentence, said that Hui was not born in the Colony and that he had shown his objection to Hongkong’s peaceful and orderly way of life, and his violence against it. He said he was going to suggest to the appropriate authorities to consider making a deportation order against Hui.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Young Girl Remanded

A 14-year-old girl appeared before Mr A. Lau at North Kowloon Court yesterday charged with posting inflammatory posters.

No plea was taken.

She is alleged to have posted inflammatory posters on the wall of the branch office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation at Ngachinwai Road, Kowloon City, on July 24.

She was remanded until tomorrow.

***

SCMP, 27 Jul 1967 (Page 9)

(Photo)

Police Paint Over Posters

Show windows of the Chinese National Aviation Corporation in Gloucester Building and the Chinese Merchandise Emporium Ltd in Queen’s Road Central were blackened with paint by the police last night.

Both show windows had displays of inflammatory posters.

Two platoons of police from the Central Police Station carried out the operation.

There was no resistance but a man was taken to a police station for questioning.

Meanwhile, the police said that Communists were trampling on portraits and quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung and blaming the police for this sort of action.

A police spokesman said that two photographs which appeared in left-wing newspapers yesterday were “faked evidence.”

The photographs showed that a portrait of Chairman Mao had been trampled but this, the spokesman said, had been done after a police raid was over.

He produced two photographs of the same premises as the police had left it. These showed Mr Mao's portrait intact.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Govt Aid For Families Of Convicted Communists

Government has granted aid and assistance to 18 families whose sole bread-winners were convicted and sent to prison for offences arising from the recent disturbances, it was learned officially yesterday.

Mr Chou Ting-hsun, head of the Public Assistance Section, Social Welfare Department, said the applications for relief and assistance were submitted either by the dependants in person or through the Probation Office.

- Schooling -

“Each case is treated according to its circumstances and assistance is given in the form of food, schooling and monetary help to the families,” Mr Chou said.

He pointed out that this form of assistance is nothing special as the Social Welfare Department has and always will aid needy people without discrimination.

He said that in the past many families whose breadwinner were jailed for criminal offences were referred to his office for relief.

“Any person in need can apply for aid from the various branch offices on the Island, Kowloon and New Territories,” he said.

He added each case was reviewed by his office every month until the families concerned could stand on their own feet.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

MORE BOMB OUTRAGES
Some Damage But No Casualties
TRAMWAYS DEPOT HIT

(Photo at right)

Communists continued their terror campaign with a number of bomb incidents on Hongkong Island last night. Two explosive straw effigies were also found hanging in the North Point area.

A fish bomb was thrown into the courtyard of the Police married quarters in Hollywood Road shortly before 11 pm. There was also two explosions inside the Hongkong Tramways depot at the junction of Russell Street and Matheson Street, Wanchai, about 9 pm.

In both incidents some damage was done but there were no casualties.

Shortly before 11 pm it was reported that three straw effigies were seen hanging in King’s Road, North Point. One was on the main gate of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank branch at No 304 King's Road, and the other two on a traffic sign in Power Street at its junction with King's Road.

Each effigy was found to contain a bomb. They were later removed and exploded by a military ballistics team.

Pinned on the effigy found at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank branch was a message which read: “Danger: Compatriots stay away.”

Bottles and stones were thrown down from buildings while the team was examining the bomb.

The police cordoned off the area from the Hongkong Bank to the Jockey Club, ticket office.

Traffic from North Point was diverted. The police also searched suspects in the streets.

The fish bomb thrown into the rear of the Hollywood Road Police married quarters caused a small crater in the concrete surface of the courtyard. Some glass panes in the building were shattered.

Following the explosion the police cordoned off the area and searched a six-storey building where the bomb was suspected to have been thrown. No one was arrested.

Of the two bombs thrown into the tram depot at the junction of Russell Street and Matheson pee, one hit the side of a tram denting a side plate and splintering some windows.

- Fragments -

The other apparently exploded on the ground about two feet from the same tram. Fragments broke a window and blew several holes on the side of the tram.

The front of another tram parked immediately behind the first was dented.

The bombs were apparently thrown from Russell Street over a wall. No one was injured.

Earlier police found a bomb in North Point but two reports of bomb discoveries in Central proved to be false.

The unexploded bomb in North Point was found in King's Road near its junction with Healthy Street, East, shortly after 2.30 pm.

It was removed by the police and taken to the Police Ballistics Office for examination.

In Central shortly after 9.20 am, a box containing chemical substances and red powder found in a lane near the Victoria Hotel.

Suspecting it to be a bomb, police at once cordoned the area and after examination by a police ballistics officer, it was found to be harmless.

Shortly after 2 pm, police received another report of a box containing a bomb in Chater Road near the Supreme Court building.

When police arrived they found the box to be part of the street lighting system.

In Kowloon, police were forced to fire tear-gas to disperse a crowd of people attempting to prevent them from removing inflammatory posters at the China Arts and Craft store in Commercial Building, Tsimshatsui.

The incident occurred shortly after 6 pm when a light force of 22 policemen went to the store to remove inflammatory posters that had re-appeared after similar posters were removed or blackened on Wednesday.

As the police force were trying to blacken and remove the posters several people dashed out from the store and a corporal almost had a carbine snatched from him.

The posters were then taken down or blackened and by that time, the crowd watching the operation had grown.

Suddenly the crowd bombarded the police with bottles, forcing them to fire three rounds of tear gas.

The crowd dispersed but three men and one woman were arrested.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Hongkong Draws Strength From Struggle -- Holmes

The Hon D. R. Holmes, Acting Colonial Secretary, said yesterday he believed Hongkong was emerging from its struggle with lawless elements as a stronger and even more united community.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Heung Yee Kuk in Taipo, he said “We can see more clearly how much our society relies upon unity in common ideal and upon close and constant contacts between the people and the officials who serve them,” he said.

He gave the assurance that Government would do all it could to strengthen these contacts.

Mr Holmes, a former District Commissioner of the New Territories, spoke in Cantonese. He told the Kuk members he was happy to renew his old contacts.

“In particular, also, I am glad to have the chance to speak to you all today because we have through a difficult period.” he said.

He said the Kuk had seen with clear insight the issue before the people of Hongkong today.

“This can be simply stated as a choice between orderly government and mob rule,” he added.

“Under the leadership of the Kuk, the people of the New Territories have clearly shown their preference for orderly government with a fair chance for everybody to go about his own affairs and hold his own beliefs without interference.”

Mr Holmes was welcomed by Mr Lam Shu-chun, Vice-Chairman of the Kuk, as its President was indisposed.

Mr Lam pledged the support of both the Kuk and New Territories people to Government in bringing about a state of law and order, which the people much desired and which had been so rudely shattered by trouble-makers.

Mr Holmes was accompanied on his visit by the Hon K. S. Kinghorn, District Commissioner, New Territories; Mr D. C. Bray, Acting Deputy Colonial Secretary; and Mr T. J. Bedford, District Officer, Taipo.

Before his visit to the Kuk, Mr Holmes went to Shataukok where he was met by Brig P. L. de C. Martin, Commander, 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, who conducted him on a tour of the closed border area.

He later went to Sekkong and was accompanied on a tour of the military-police establishment there by Mr J. B. Lees, Assistant Commissioner of Police. He called on the officers’ mess of the Gurkha Brigade and was introduced to officers commanding units stationed at Shataukok.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Two Communist Stores Raided
NEW MOVE BY POLICE

(Photos at right)

The police turned their attention to Communist department stores yesterday when they raided one in Yaumati and another in Wanchai.

Nine people taken into custody for questioning. A large quantity of inflammatory leaflets, weapons, goggles and gas masks, chains, and bottles of acid were seized.

Mr Alistair McNutt, head of the CID, Kowloon, said afterwards the Yue Wah Emporium in Yaumati appeared to be a centre for directing leftist activities in Kowloon.

He said the discovery of a stretcher, a cubicle resembling a clinic and gas masks and inflammatory leaflets pointed to this assumption.

The raids on the Yue Wah Emporium in Nathan Road, Yaumati, and the New China Products Emporium in Johnston Road, Wanchai, were conducted within three hours of each other.

Police were supported by Army units in both raids. The Yue Wah store was raided first. The raiding party moved in at 10.30 am soon after the store had raised its stutters for business.

The area was cordoned off by “B” Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles, under the command of Major C. M. McCausland.

The raiding party, consisting of CID personnel and uniformed policemen, entered the 15-storey building in three directions, meeting no resistance.

- Wide Search -

Police found that several premises which they intended to search were located on various floors. Tenants of residential flats whom the police did not wish to question were asked to remain indoors.

The premises were searched because it was believed that two bombs thrown at a military vehicle in that area on Wednesday night, might have come from one of the upper floors, a police spokesman said.

Inflammatory posters were scattered on walls and pillars of the three floors comprising the main department store.

A paper bag containing goggles and gas masks was found in a store room on the third floor, together with a pile of inflammatory leaflets.

In an open courtyard on the third floor, an Alsatian dog was found guarding a shed storing items of furniture.

On the ground floor, behind a counter in the food department, goggles and gas masks, wrapped in plastic containers, were found inside a small cardboard box marked “fruit.”

Metal catapults, home-made gas masks and paper bags, containing bundles of firecrackers, were found in the staff recreation room on the floor where the main offices of the store were situated.

In the same room police found a stretcher and a first aid cubicle which looked more like a medical dispensary.

A crate of empty bottles was stacked near the window overlooking Nathan Road. What appeared to be a watchman’s lookout post was next to it. This was a stool placed alongside one of the windows with a number of torches suspended from a hook nearby.

The police also searched two residential floors, the sixth floor, housing the dormitory for men working in the store, and the ninth floor, housing the women's dormitory.

- Detained -

Three employees were detained for questioning. They are Tang Yue-leung (32), a department head; Leung Tin-sum (46), the chief accountant, and Leung Hon-chung (18). The other employees returned to their work when the police withdrew at 1.50 pm.

The raid on the New China Products Emporium (HK) Ltd, in Wanchai began at 1 pm. The emporium is near the Violet Peel Health Centre which was partly damaged by leftists in earlier disturbances.

Two companies of police were supported by a company of Troops from the 1st Bn, D Company, the Welch Regiment, under Major M. W. F. Dyer.

More than 60 detectives searched the emporium which occupies six floors, three of which are used for storing goods. The police met with no resistance.

During the four-hour search, police found bottles of acid and several chains. They also discovered rubber goggles, face pads and spent gas shells.

Six people, four men and two women, were detained for questioning.

***

SMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Defendants Declare School Was Their ‘Second home’

Seventeen people, including a woman and two 16-year-old boys, said at North Kowloon Court yesterday that, the Whampoa Dock Workers’ School in Hunghom was their “second home” and that they were entitled to go there.

The defendants, who were arrested in the school on July 14, are charged with unlawful assembly, obstructing the police, failing to report possession of arms, consorting with persons unlawfully in possession of arms, forming part of an intimidating assembly and possession of weapons.

Denying the charges in statements from the dock, the defendants said many of them visited the school very often and occasionally spent the night there.

The defendants are Ho To-tak (20), Chan Kwok-hing (20), Fung Kai-yuen (32), Leung Tai (47), Wong Shing (25), Chan Fook (39), Lee Kwok-yee (20), Law Tong (43), Ma Leung (20), Cheung Shiu (66), Cheung Chack-fu (20), Chung Kam (45), Tsang Que-choy (28), Chan Bill (32), Wong Hing, a 47-year-old woman, and two boys.

Mr T. L. Von Pokorny, the magistrate, reserved judgment until next Tuesday.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Jailed For Obstructing Police

Five men and a 16-year-old boy were found guilty by Mr E. Light at Central Court yesterday for obstructing the police on July 16.

The five men were Kwong Mei (32), Ng Chung-man (32), Yeung Yun-shing (25), Chan Fung-fat (25), and Wong Man-sum (20). They were sentenced to a year in jail. The 16-year-old boy was remanded for a probation officer’s report.

The six defendants were arrested on July 16 when the police raided the Taikoo Sugar Refinery Workers’ Union Welfare Centre in Shaukiwan.

The court was told at a previous hearing that when Insp J. A. Elms raided the premises, he saw some men run up the staircase. He chased after them, but found the way barred by a large iron gate which was locked.

The court was further told that the men were arrested on the roof of the building when Insp Chan Po-kwong led a second raid on the premises.

In passing sentence, Mr Light said that he believed it should be severe enough to prevent a further recurrence of the terror and violence which had swept the Colony in the last few months.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Plead Not Guilty

Twenty-eight people, including seven left-wing reporters, a headmaster, 16 schoolteachers, a baby-sitter and an unemployed person, pleaded not guilty at Central Court yesterday to charges of unlawful assembly outside Government House on July 15.

Mr A. L. Leathlean remanded them to August 2 for trial.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Spectators Cause Uproar In Kowloon Court
HEARING OF CASE AGAINST 10 MEN DISRUPTED

About 30 people, mostly women, caused an uproar in North Kowloon Court yesterday, disrupting the hearing of a case in which 10 men were charged with being found on premises containing offensive weapons.

The police arrested four of them, including two housewives and charged them with dissorderly conduct in a courtroom.

When they were taken before Mr F. de F. Stratton, they pleaded not guilty. They are Kam Sam-min (37),  of 57 Laichikok Road, seventh floor, Shamshuipo; Law King-fong (32) of Wangtauhom resettlement estate, Kowloon City, both housewives; Lee -Po-yue (27), of 121 Thompson Road, second floor, Wanchai; and Lau Yuk-lun (23), of 32 Tak Cheong Street, seventh floor, Hunghom. Their case will be heard this morning.

- The Cause -

The uproar broke out during hearing of the case against 10 men who were arrested by the police at the Motor Transport Workers' Union, 343 Portland Street, third floor, Mongkok, on Tuesday.

They pleaded not guilty, and Ma Stratton fixed hearing for August 17.

As the defendants were being led out of the dock, a woman tried to hand a shirt to one of them, but a constable prevented her from doing so.

Then other people in the courtroom shouted “protest” and “unlawful arrest”, and demanded the immediate release of the defendants.

Mr Stratton adjourned court when his repeated orders to keep quiet were ignored.

Police had to remove several people from the courtroom when they refused to leave.

Later another group of defendants --- 31 men and a 16-year-old boy --- who were also arrested at the union premises, were brought into court to face a similar charge. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded until August 17.

A number of articles, allegedly seized on the premises, were produced in court. These included imitation rifles and revolvers, triangular scrapers, choppers, chisels, an axe, water pipes, metal swords, slogan boards, inflammatory posters, knives, bicycle chains and rasp files.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Policeman Shoots Intruder

A police inspector shot a masked intruder who broke into his flat in Clearwater Bay Road shortly after 4 am yesterday.

The man, who was hit in the shoulder by one of three shots fired during a chase down the staircase, is now in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The officer, Insp Tai Kwong-yiu 25, of the Traffic Office, Kowloon, lives in a flat in the Silver Strand Estate in Clearwater Bay Road. A police statement said he and his wife were awakened by noises and found two masked men searching their bedroom.

“The men told the couple to keep quiet and one of them hit the inspector with a table lamp,” the statement said. Insp Tai then seized his revolver and ordered the men not to move but they rushed out and tried to escape.

The inspector warned the men to stop and when they ignored this he fired, but missed. He fired two more shots as the men raced down the staircase. The wounded man was found outside the main doorway, the statement added.

***

SCMP, 28 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Rural Committees Thanked For Support To Govt

A regular meeting of Chairmen of Rural Committees representing the whole of the southern district comprising the outlying islands and the Saikung peninsula, was held on Wednesday, at the District Office, South in Kowloon.

The meeting was presided over by Mr E. B. Wiggham, District Officer, South, and attended by nine Rural Committee Chairmen---Mr Chau Li-ping, of Cheung Chau, Mr Lam Shue-chun, of Peng Chau and concurrently Vice-Chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk, Mr Kan Chung-hing of Tai O, Mr Law Chun-wing of South Lantao, Mr Chong Chu-choi of Tung Chung, Mr Tsang Lin of Mui Wo, Mr Chau Ching of Lamma North, Mr Chan Pak-yip of Lamma South, and Mr Shing Sai-on of Hang Hau.

Mr  Wiggham thanked the Chairmen and the various Rural Committees they represented for the support they bad pledged for Government in its role to maintain peace and stability. He expressed his appreciation for the letters of support he received on behalf of Government from various clansmen’s associations, various types of co-operatives and sports associations.

Referring to public security advancement associations, Mr Wiggham said that since the first public security advancement association was formed in Peng Chau two months ago, many other districts in the South had formed their own.

He observed that it could be the right moment for a federation to be formed to co-ordinate all existing public security advancement associations.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

BOMB EXPERTS KEPT BUSY
Communists Continue To Plant Explosives
SNAKE IN CANISTER

(Photo at right)

Communist elements continued to plant crude home-made bombs in busy districts of Hongkong and Kowloon yesterday. A bottle containing gunpowder was found near a slide at the Victoria Park children’s playground.

In another incident, a four-foot-long snake was found in a canister after it had been exploded. The “snake-bomb” was placed on a tram island opposite the United Chinese Bank Building in Des Voeux Road, Central, shortly after 5 pm. It was detonated on the spot.

Shortly after 10 am an earthenware pot was seen floating off HMS Tamar, the RN shore establishment. It was not known whether it contained explosives. However, it was decided by a team of ammunition experts of the RAOC to detonate the object with their own explosives.

Most of yesterday's detonations were carried out by RAOC experts who now have teams working on both sides of the harbour.

- Surprised -

The army experts who detonated the “snake-bomb" in Des Voeux Road, Central, were surprised and somewhat taken aback to find a dead snake in the exploded canister.

But the blast in Central was the cause for mirth for one group of people. Guests at the Federation of Hongkong Industries meeting had just heard Dr the Hon S. Y. Chung, Chairman, speak of the return of normalcy to the Colony when the blast reverberated through the room. After laughter over his extempore comment had died down Dr Chung continued his speech without raising an eyebrow.

During the same incident, as crowds rushed to see the results of the explosion, a man dressed in a blue shirt, and armed with a dagger, dashed in front of the crowd and attempted to stab a Chinese reporter.

- Foiled By Shouts -

As he raised his arm, the unidentified Chinese was spotted by other newspapermen, who shouted out.

The man escaped among the crowd.

Four bombs found in various parts of Kowloon earlier in the day were exploded by Army experts at the nearest open space.

The first bomb was found hanging on a traffic pagoda at the junction of Boundary Street and Cumberland Road shortly before 8 am. It was removed and exploded in the open ground of the Police Sports Association in Boundary Street.

Another bomb was found outside the Kowloon Police Headquarters in Nathan Road at 9.30 am. It was exploded in the compound of the Headquarters.

About an hour later, a third bomb was found outside the Koon Wah teahouse in Hong Ning Street, Kun Tong. It was exploded on the spot.

Twenty minutes afterwards, another bomb was found outside the main gate of the American Express at the junction of Cheungshawan Road and Shekkipmei Street. It was removed to the Cheungshawan reclamation where it was exploded.

No one was hurt when handling and exploding the bombs, a Government spokesman said.

- Assisting Police -

The Army experts were called in for the first time on Thursday night and detonated three bombs in North Point. These experts had been trained at the School of Ammunition in Bramley, England.

An Army spokesman said last night that four of the experts had been stationed in Kowloon and another four on the Island to assist Mr Norman Hill, the Police Ballistics Officer, in the disposal of bombs.

A bomb exploded near the Shatin Riding School near the Siu Lam Kung Restaurant in Shatin about 2.30 pm.

More Bombs Planted

A police party was immediately sent there to make investigation.

On arrival, they found some burnt newspaper on an abandoned trailer and beside it was another parcel which was found to be an unexploded bomb.

This bomb was detonated by an explosive expert about 5 pm.

No one was injured.

Shortly before 7 pm a parcel was found near the train tracks at Taipo Market which turned out to be a home-made bomb. It was detonated.

Train services from 6.47 pm to 10.09 pm were disrupted.

A bomb was found in a rear lane of No 12 --- 14 Bowring Street in the Yaumati area about 8 pm. It was later detonated.

An explosion occurred outside No 25 Yee On Street, Kun Tong, about 9.35 pm. No one was injured and no damage was done.

A Government vehicle parked outside the Government Dental Clinic in Kennedy Road was set on fire about 8.35 pm.

The fire, which caused very slight damage to the vehicle, was put out by the watchman before the arrival of firemen.

Thirty people were detained by the police who raided the Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Workers Union in Tsun Wan shortly after 7.30 pm. A nearby book store was also raided.

One company of policemen from the Police Training Contingent and one from Tsun Wan took part in the operation. They were supported by men from the 18th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery, and one unit of Gurkha engineers(sic) experts in explosives.

There was no resistance.

It was suspected that people in the union premises had some connection with recent bomb explosions in Tsun Wan and the neighbouring districts.

A police spokesman later said that he was very satisfied with the whole operation. He said: "We achieved our objective.”

He added that police suspicions of the activities in that building were well founded judging by the large number of weapons, inflammatory literature, posters and the “telling” documents seized.

The spokesman said he thought the police had succeeded in “breaking the back” of the movement there.

The whole operation lasted for 2 hours.

One plainclothes policeman was slightly injured when a bottle thrown from a building in Chung On Street landed on his helmet.

- Twelve Charged -

At least 12 people will appear in court this morning, charged with possession of offensive weapons and other offences.

Eighteen others have been detained by the police for questioning.

Government yesterday brought into force powers to arrest and detain in new move against those who remain in the background while directing others in creating disturbances in the Colony.

The Colonial Secretary is given the power to order detention for a period of up to one year.

A Government spokesman said that the results of the present phase of police action have shown the need for these new powers.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Leftist Tram Strikers Have ‘Wages’ Cut

Many left-wing tram workers were reported yesterday to have received from their “struggle committee” only half a month’s wages to continue their strike until the end of next month.

Last month the workers, answering the call for a “general strike” to disrupt the Colony’s transport system, were each paid from $330 for a motorman to $300 for a conductor and $280 for a labourer.

It was learned that some of the workers kept the money and went to work as usual.

- Anxiety -

The sudden reduction in payments had already caused anxiety among the strikers while others were said to be planning, to re-apply for their old jobs, sources said.

It was also learned many of the workers who had received cheques instead of cash were yesterday told to cash the cheques in mid-August due to “insufficient funds.”

Two leading left-wing papers reported “rising contributions” to the “struggle fund” almost every day. As no receipt is required from workers on strike, many are either doubting the figures published or suspecting corruption among union leaders, it was learned.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Charged With Possession Of Pistol

A 27-year-old engineer, charged with possession of arms without a licence, appeared before Mr F. de F. Stratton at North Kowloon Court yesterday.

Szeto Duen, of 32 Braga Circuit, Kowloon, was jointly charged with two other men, accused of furnishing false information to the police and knowingly permit inflammatory posters to be displayed at 861 Laichikok Road, on July 27.

The other two defendants are Szeto Fai, manager of the A Fai Engineering and Shipbuilding Company, 861 Laichikok Road, Laichikok, and Tse Yau-ting, (45), secretary, of the same address.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty and the magistrate adjourned the case to August 31. Szeto Fai and Szeto Duen were allowed $5,000 bail, and Tse $250.

The prosecution said an air pistol and inflammatory posters were found on the premises at 861 Laichikok Road on July 27 when a police party raided the premises.

Tse Yau-ting, who was present during the raid, told the police that Szeto Fai was not in the building and furnished them with false information.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Detention Powers Promulgated
INSTIGATORS BEHIND THE SCENE

Government has promulgated regulations which enable it to deal with people who plan and instigate disturbances behind the scene. The Colonial Secretary is now empowered to order detention of a person or persons for a period of up to a year.  

A Government spokesman said this power was exercised only by the Colonial Secretary personally.

Any: person detained in this way can lodge objections with a Committee of Review.

A Government spokesman said the results of the present phase of police action had shown the need for new regulations, as set out in yesterday’s Government Gazette.

He said there had been successful action against people involved in the disturbances and the attempt to disrupt the peaceful and orderly life of Hongkong.

- The Target -

But this police action had also disclosed that there were other people, so far remaining in the background, who fomented trouble and encouraged violence.

The spokesman added: “Because they take care to remain in the background, using others to do their criminal work for them, the public cannot be protected from them by the operation of the criminal law. It is against these conspirators and instigators that the new regulations are directed.”

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Disturbances Underline Value Of Law And Order

Mr Woo Po-shing, an Urban Councillor, said yesterday that the damage and inconvenience caused by the disturbances had now made the general public and Government wiser.

He told a Rotary Club of Island West meeting that the public should now have learned to realise the importance of law and order which had an important bearing on the community.

People should also realise now that peace was essential for the prosperity of a community and that a genuine and close link between Government and the public was the only means to further co-operation among the different sectors of the population.

In addition, people in Hongkong should realise that a better understanding, between employers and employees was the only means to achieve mutual benefits.

He pointed out that a simple issue in a labour dispute could easily be employed as a weapon for political purposes.

Mr Woo said that whereas in the past transport workers were not given much thought, the value of their services should now have been realised by the people.

Mr Woo said physical violence which the trouble-makers had resorted to, should meet with the condemnation of the entire community.

He pointed out, however, that in a modern city where there was a high degree of competition, a sense of dissatisfaction and injustice was bound to exist. Nevertheless, physical violence was not a proper outlet for such feelings, he added.

Mr Woo appealed to the public to support Government in quelling the disturbances.

He said the emergency regulations were necessary in the present situation but hoped that any inconvenience caused to the public could be done away with when law and order was fully restored.

***

29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Emporium Employees Remanded

The chief accountant and a department head of the Yue Wah Chinese Emporium were charged before Mr J. J. Rhind at South Kowloon Court yesterday with being in charge of premises where inflammatory posters were displayed.

No pleas were taken from Leung Kin-sum (46), of 518 Sun Tao Shing Building, fifth floor, King’s Road, North Point, and Tang Yue-leung (32), of 50 Pau Cheung Street, second floor, Kowloon City.

They were remanded for four days in police custody for further enquiries.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Film Stars Not Deported

Government yesterday denied that a left-wing film actor and his actress wife, arrested by the police recently, had been secretly deported.

A Government spokesman said Fu Chi and his wife, Shek Wai, were still in police custody.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Four Jailed For Disrupting Court Proceedings

Two men and two women, who disrupted the hearing of a case in which ten men were charged with being found on premises containing offensive weapons, were jailed for three months by Mr T. L. von Pokorny at North Kowloon Court yesterday.

The four, who admitted disorderly conduct in a courtroom, were also bound over in $300 to be of good behaviour for two years.

They were Kam Sam-min (37), of 57 Laichikok Road, seventh floor, Shamshuipo and Law King-fong (32), of Wangtauhom resettlement estate, Kowloon City, housewives; and Lee Po-yue (27), of 121 Thompson. Road, second floor, Wanchai and Lau Yuk-lun (23), of 32 Tak Cheong Street, seventh floor, Hunghom.

Chief Inspector J. H. Goodman said that the defendants were among 30 to 40 people who had gathered in Mr F. de F. Stratton’s court on Thursday while a case was in progress.

Because of the noise from the spectators, Mr Stratton was unable to continue hearing the case and adjourned it. He told policemen on duty to tell the spectators to keep quiet.

Police had to remove several people from the courtroom when they refused to leave, Mr Good man said. The four defendants were arrested when they were seen encouraging others to remain and cause more trouble.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

N.T. Farmers Thanked For Support

Mr E. H. Nichols, Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, yesterday thanked the leaders of farming associations and cooperative societies throughout the New Territories for the support they have given to Government during the present troubles.

Addressing a luncheon party given by the department for the representatives, he said: “Not only have you pledged support to Government in in maintaining peace and order, but by your actions you have substantiated this pledge and contributed to the peace and stability which we all seek.”

Commenting on the recent four-day boycott of foodstuffs, Mr Nichols said he was happy to note that none of the leaders had been discouraged by the difficulties and that, on the other hand, they had actively engaged in turning the situation to advantage.

Mr Nichols said that the time was opportune for some form of co-operative marketing outlet and his department could help in planning, preparation and implementation.

Mr Nichols noted with satisfaction that there was increased co-operation between various farming societies with the view to promoting their marketing business through better liaison.

He stressed he was confident that in the future, as in the past, the farming community would continue to respond to their responsibilities.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

SLAUGHTERHOUSE LABOURERS DENY ALLEGATIONS

Three slaughterhouse labour appeared before Mr A. L. Leathlean at Central Court yesterday on charges of posting inflammatory posters, possession of offensive weapons and inflammatory posters.

The defendants are Ho Fat (22) of 20 Yin On Street, fourth floor, Tokwawan, Lam Ngan shan (26) of 92 Hok Lo Tsuen Road, first floor, and Chung Pak (36) of 42 Junction Road, ground floor, Kowloon City.

They pleaded not guilty and hearing was fixed for August 11.

The trial of an unlicensed fruit hawker, who pleaded not guilty to possession of two knives in Sutherland Street, Central, was fixed by Mr Leathlean for August 14.

The defendant, Sun Hing (30), of 565 Block 5, Reclamation Street, eighth floor, Kowloon, is alleged to have had the knives on July 26.

***

SCMP, 29 Jul 1967 (Page 7)

Wounded Policemen Recuperating At Army Hospital

Four smiling “guests” are among the 135 patients, ranging from tiny babies to tough Gurkhas, now enjoying the modern facilities at the new British military Hospital in King’s Park, Kowloon.

The four are men of the Hongkong Police Force who were wounded in the Shataukok border incident on July 8. They were airlifted to the hospital by helicopter.

“Normally this hospital is for members of the three Services, civilian employees of the military and their families,” said an Army spokesman during a tour of the hospital yesterday.

“But during an emergency situation the hospital is open to all,” he said. “After the recent air crash at Kai Tak, for instance, the Army announced that the Military Hospital could accept any casualties.”

The injured policemen, who suffered gunshot wounds in the legs, were among the first patients admitted to the hospital which opened on July 2.

The 15-storey structure, built high on a hill with a panoramic view of the harbour, has beds for 239 patients.

A special kitchen on the top floor caters to the Gurkha palate with servings of a dry type of curry and rice.

Yesterday was a quiet day at the hospital---except for the children’s ward where the patients loudly welcomed their visitors. In this ward there are babies suffering from dislocated hips or congenital heart disease.

These babies also account for a large amount of the hospital's laundry. Figures for an average year at the hospital's two former locations, Bowen Road and Mt Kellett, show that the youngest patients required 54,000 nappies during a 12-month period.

The large, airy wards, with balconies on the harbour side, are divided into separate floors or sections for patients.

Patients who can walk can go to the 15th floor where the St John and Red Cross Department offers a lounge, library and games room.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Five leftist reporters held

Five Communist reporters --- four men and one woman --- were arrested by the police for inciting a crowd of about 100 students in the Wang Tau Hom resettlement area at 8.25 pm yesterday.

They were seen to have incited a group of young people to cause disturbance in the area. When the police moved in, they jumped into a car and drove away. The car was later intercepted by police in Mid-Section Road in the Wang Tau Hom resettlement area.

The newspapers they represented were Hongkong Commercial Daily, Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Pao, Ching Pao Daily and New China News Agency.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Forty-five arrested in police drive on trouble-makers

Police kept up their pressure on trouble-makers yesterday, arresting at least 45 people in a number of raids in various parts of the Colony.

Communist elements continued their terrorist tactics by planting crude home-made bombs on the Island and in Kowloon. Although there was one explosion, there were no casualties.

Five bombs were found and late last night ballistics experts were still investigating two suspected bombs found on the Island.

The police, supported by army units, last night simultaneously raided three different premises belonging to the Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Trade Workers’ General Union in Kowloon and arrested 25 people.

The three premises were situated at 22 Cheungshawan Road, 37 Kowloon City Road and 349 Portland Street.

Quantities of offensive weapons, liquid believed to be acid, inflammatory posters, home-made gas masks and goggles were found during the raids.

- Explosives -

At the Cheungshawan Road premises, police also found a parcel containing a quantity of white powder, believed to be explosives, and two fruit cases full of empty bottles.

Occupants attempted to flee by the back door of the promises but were rounded up by the police.

A Government spokesman said police had detained five people from the premises in Cheungshawan Road and 20 in Portland Street.

Police met no resistance during the three raids.

On Friday night, the union premises in Tsun Wan were raided during which 30 people were detained.

In Tsun Wan, three men who had been identified as having participated in the riot in the district on July 15 were arrested in the afternoon by detectives.

This was a follow-up action taken by New Territories detectives to clean out trouble-makers in Tsun Wan which began on Friday.

The three arrested will appear at the Fanling Court tomorrow.

Also at the Fanling Court tomorrow, eight people, including one woman, will face changes under the emergency regulations.

They were arrested by police during a raid on the front section of 52 Ho Piu Street, fourth floor.

A number of offensive weapons, several bottles of acid and some documents were also seized.

This was one of two raids carried out by the police in two residential premises in Tsun Wan late in the afternoon.

- North Point -

The other was at 59 Chung On Street, second floor. Occupants were suspected of having some connection with the recent trouble in the area.

Four men, a woman and her child were taken into police custody as the result of a search on various residential premises in Nam Fung Building, King’s Road, North Point, last night.

On the 8th floor, police noticed smoke bellowing from a kitchen window. On entering the premises, they found a woman, with an infant in her arms, setting fire to papers.

The woman claimed that she was burning “joss” paper. However, the police found the “joss” papers to be inflammatory posters, and the women was taken into custody.

A light, switched on and off in curious sequences, attracted the attention of the police to flat D, also on the 11th floor.

When the police entered the flat they found a young man, four women and two children. In the apartment they discovered a store of firecrackers and marbles, a plastic bag suspected of having recently contained gunpowder, and some inflammatory literature.

Bomb scare in Colony

Among the large store of Communist tracts, text-books periodicals and other propaganda items, police also found gramophone records entitled, “Quotations of Mao Tse-tung set to music.”

The search conducted on selected premises in the 19-storey building which was prompted by the belief that people connected with the recent campaign of violence in the area might be found there.

The search party, which consisted of the Bayview Company was commanded by Superintendent J. Harris. The cordon was provided by “C” Company of the 1st Welch Regiment, commanded by Major F. Batten. In overall command of the operation was Senior Supt J. J. E. Morrin.

- More bombs -

Three home-made bombs were discovered in North Point yesterday.

At 11.20 am, police received a report about a bomb on the staircase of No 275 King's Road. It was contained in an hairspray tin.

About the same time, another tin bomb was discovered beside an effigy in King’s Road at its junction with Mount Parker Road.

The third home-made bomb measuring eight inches long and three inches in diameter and wrapped in newspapers, was found at the tram terminus in Tong Shui Road at its junction with King's Road shortly after 4 pm.

The three bombs were removed and detonated by the Police Ballistics Officer, Mr Norman Hill. There were no casualties or damage in the three incidents.

In the Kowloon Tong district, bomb was discovered at the junction of Cumberland Road and Essex Crescent about 8 pm. It was later removed and detonated by an ammunition exert of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

At 10 pm an explosion occurred in the open air car park at the junction of Nathan Road and Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui.

A bomb was also discovered at the roundabout near the Roxy Theatre, Causeway Bay. It was exploded on the spot by the Police Ballistics Officer.

Passengers travelling on board a vehicular ferry about 1.40 pm were alarmed when one of them discovered a moon cake tin box with a red 4 Chinese character “danger” on it, left on the upper passenger deck.

The discovery was reported to the ferry crew who took the vessel to the Jordan Road concourse where all passengers and vehicles disembarked.

The ferry was then moved from the pier as a precautionary measure. An army ballistics team were called and found the box contained only nails.

Yet another false alarm was reported in Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, late yesterday afternoon when army explosive experts discovered that the tin inside a paper bag contained only sand, paper and glue.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Magistrate warns against acts endangering public

A magistrate strongly warned yesterday that disturbances which might endanger the public would no longer be tolerated.

Mr P. M. Corfe jailed 32 people for six years each---the heaviest sentence ever imposed by a Hongkong magistrate --- under the emergency regulations.

The 23 people, including two women, were convicted in Central Court of being in the company of people who had arms in their possession without lawful authority.

The defendants were visibly shocked. They protested loudly. Fifteen policemen surrounded the dock, fearing violence, but there was no trouble.

In passing sentence Mr Corfe said:

“After a long and fair trial you have been convicted of a serious offence. The posters found in the room where you were assembled called upon you to mobilise and counter attack.

“The weapons laid out for your use were deadly weapons which included 14 bottles of nitric and sulphuric acid in the strongest possible concentration.

“Let those who contemplate the use of corrosive acid or bombs against innocent people in Hongkong be warned. If caught, it will go heavy with them.

“I have come to the conclusion that the public interest requires a sentence heavy enough to deter others who may contemplate the same offences.”

- Metal workers -

The defendants were among 29 arrested and charged following a raid by the police on the Metal Workers’ Union at 192-4 Shaukiwan Road, two weeks ago.

Six others were remanded for probation officers’ reports. Five of these, two boys and three girls, were under 21. They were remanded for one week.

All the defendants, except four, were employees of the metal workers’ union.

They were convicted on four charges and acquitted of one.

The first charge was unlawful assembly. Mr Corfe said he was satisfied that each of the 29 defendants had assembled at the premises for unlawful purposes.

He sentenced them to 15 months.

The second charge was obstructing the police. The magistrate said the defendants must have known that the police wanted to enter the premises, but they refused to help.

He sentenced them to six months.

The third charge was forming part of an intimidating assembly. Mr Corfe said the Hongkong police were not easily intimidated and acquitted the defendants.

The fourth charge was failing to report possession of arms. The steels bars, lengths of piping with sharpened points, triangular files, daggers and water pistols containing acid were undoubtedly offensive weapons under the arms regulations, the magistrate said.

He sentenced them to six months.

Mr David Wilcox, Crown Counsel, prosecuted. He was assisted by Inspector R. E. Bryant.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

SIR DAVID’S DONATION

Sir David Trench, the Governor, and Lady Trench, who are at present on leave in England, have personally contributed $500 to the Dependents’ Fund.

The fund, organised by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, now, stands at $844,000. Its target is $1,000,000.

Among recent donations was one of $5,000 from I.C.I. (China) Ltd. Several former pupil associations of Colony’s schools are also making collections for the fund.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

BRIBERY FAILS TO WIN OVER WORKERS

Despite the disappointments they had suffered, and the growing public realisation of their deceitful intentions, local Communists were still flourishing cheques in the hopes that promises of money would lure deluded workers into their grasp, said a Government spokesman yesterday.

“But this time they haven't the courage to meet the workers face to face,” he said, “Instead they're pushing the cheques --- for what they are worth --- through letter boxes and under closed doors.

“One instance of this, has just been reported to Wongtaisin Police “Station.”

The spokesman said, the wife of a China Light and Power Company employee told the police she was awakened by a knock on the door of her home in Wongtaisin resettlement estate.

When she opened it she caught a brief glimpse of an unknown man who threw a cheque at her feet and, out a word, turned and ran down the stairs.

The cheque, payable at the Kincheng Bank in Castle Peak Road, was for $350. It bore the seal of the Chinese Workers’ Union of the China Light and Power Company.

She showed the cheque to her husband when he returned from work, and he decided, that both of them should report the matter to the police.

The husband, in his statement at Wongtaisin Police Station, recalled reporting to the police an earlier occasion when he had been approached by a fellow worker to go on strike.

“As I am more determined than ever not to have anything to do with this kind of illegal strike action I am banding over this cheque for your disposal,” he said.

The spokesman said: “Workers like this, who have remained loyal to their jobs, can breathe a sign of relief for their wisdom in resisting attempts by Communists to black-mail them with false promises.

“They have seen enough to realise the full extent of the losses suffered by those misguided colleagues who fell for the Communist trick.

“These erstwhile colleagues have been betrayed into losing more than their livelihood. Many have last(sic) their homes and their freedom as well.

“By answering the call to participate in illegal strikes, they have placed themselves in the hands of unscrupulous manipulators who now feel free to demand that they risk their safety, and perhaps their lives, in pursuing all kinds of reckless actions calculated to endanger the public security.”

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

Protection from ‘political pep talks’ sought

Independent rightwing employees of the China Motor Bus Company yesterday asked the company for protection against “political pep talks” from leftwing workers at the company’s staff quarters.

The rightwing workers, members of the China Motor Bus Workers’ Union, claimed that these talks irritated them. They said that many of the leftists who stayed away from work were still living in the staff quarters with their families.

The workers also demanded that the company take active measures to protect them against leftist threats.

The workers, who at present maintain about half of the company's fleet of buses in service, also demanded that wire mesh protection round the drivers’ seats be provided for all buses; insurance against injuries resulting from rots; permission to use the company’s assembly hall as a rest place for late workers; and new uniforms and identification system.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

TROUBLE-MAKERS DENOUNCED
Firm action against lawlessness reaffirmed

The Deputy Colonial Secretary, Mr J. Cater, yesterday reaffirmed Government's determination to take firm action against the Colony’s trouble-makers in order to safeguard the lives and interests of the general public.

Addressing a passing-out parade at the Police Training School in Aberdeen, Mr Cater said that the ordinary people of Hongkong, with the police in the vanguard, had confronted --- and were still confronting --- the agents of disorder and anarchy: a small minority of despicable, irresponsible criminals, who, having been thwarted in previous attempts to disrupt lives here, have now turned to wild and disorganised terrorism.

“By their indiscriminate activities, they have shown that they have no true feelings for their fellow human beings whatsoever; they have caused, not merely inconvenience, but physical harm to innocent men, women and children alike in a desperate attempt to intimidate where they have so patently failed by persuasion or by example,” he emphasised.

- Twisted -

“They are attempting spitefully to destroy, in their own twisted interests,” the prosperity and existence of this peace-loving, thriving community.

“We here depend on, and uphold, the maintenance of law and order from which follows stability and confidence. It is this very stability and confidence upon which the economic miracle of Hongkong has been built; and so, Basically our future prosperity depends to a very large extent on you, the members of the Police Force, in continuing to maintain law and order.

“We pride ourselves in Hongkong on the fact that we are made up of many different races, nationalities, creeds and customs and yet are able to live here happily and in freedom as a community. We are therefore prepared to tolerate all forms of ideology… However, when one group attempts to force its(sic) will upon others, then firm action has to be taken to safeguard the lives and interests of the general public.”

Mr Cater said the happenings of the past three months had caused world-wide comment and the Police Force of Hongkong had rightly, and deservedly, earned the highest praise and respect of all peace-loving and decent-thinking people everywhere.

“We are all very proud indeed of the splendid way in which the members of our Police Force have borne themselves throughout every phase, every difficulty, trial --- and tragedy,” he stressed.

Mr, Cater asked the men and women on parade to bear in mind that they were a vital span in the bridge that joins the people and the Government.

He advised them to keep a fine balance in their work --- on the one hand to engender confidence and friendliness with the law-abiding, the vast majority of citizens; but on the other hand, to develop a rocklike firmness, determination and, most of all, integrity which is so greatly feared by a law-breaker.

“In this way, confidence and co-operation between the Force and the general public is cemented,” Mr Cater said.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 2)

UNION MAN JAILED FOR FOUR MONTHS

The vice-chairman of the Weaving, Spinning and Dyeing Workers’ General Union was sent to jail for four months by Mr H. S. Daniell in Tsun Wan Court yesterday for being found on premises containing offensive weapons and corrosive substance.

Ho Yip, the vice-chairman, was given another three months for allowing inflammatory posters to be displayed, the sentences to run concurrently.

Ho, described as an “unemployed textile worker,” was arrested with more than 10 other people as result of a police raid on the union's premises at 100 Chung On Street, 5th floor, on Friday night.

- Others -

Five people arrested in the same raid were sentenced to four months on a similar charge. They were Chan Choi-kwong (22), Cheng Chiu-fu (21), Leung Yeuk-hon (34), Chan Yuk-sui (39) and Cheung Kwai (30), all former textile workers.

Three other workers who were arrested as they were trying to escape, were sent to jail for four months for being persons leaving a premises where there were offensive weapons and corrosive substance. The men were Chau Lai-wah (24), Ching Kan-kwong (31) and Wan Keung (28), textile workers.

A textile worker, Lau Chak-lee (28) was given a four-month prison term for unlawful assembly on July 28.

Two other men found in the premises and who were identified by police as two of the people who had stoned them in Tsun Wan on the night of July 15 were sent to jail for 18 months for rioting.

They were Ip Fat (58), a shop assistant of 74 Chung On Street, ground floor, and Ip Chuen-ming (37), owner of a shop at the same address.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

INSTRUCTED TO PUT UP POSTERS, MAN SAYS

A window-dresser of a China products firm said in Central Court yesterday that he put up inflammatory posters in the firm's show-windows on instructions from the management.

He said he would have lost his job had he not complied with the instructions.

Yau Yuet-fung (30), who earlier pleaded guilty to displaying inflammatory posters, told the court in mitigation that he had been in the Colony for several years and had been a law-abiding citizen.

Earlier, Inspector J. H. Griffiths, prosecuting, told Mr A. L. Leathlean that the police raided the New China Products Emporium Ltd at 141-147 Johnston Road on Thursday and found five spent gas shells, three battered shells and several posters and notices of an inflammatory nature in the show-windows.

Yau was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

In another ease, Cheung Suet (29), of 25 North Street, fourth floor, West Point, an accountant of the same firm, pleaded not guilty to having in his possession, a catapult and 47 marbles capable of being used as offensive weapons, as well as an inflammatory poster.

His case will be heard tomorrow.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 8)

Owner of China products emporium jailed

The proprietor of the Yeung Kwong Chinese Products Emporium in Wongtaisin resettlement estate was jailed for 21 months yesterday by Mr D. A. Davies at North Kowloon Court.

Lee Chi-keung (39), was convicted of possession of offensive weapons and 690 inflammatory posters in the emporium on July 19.

At a previous hearing when he pleaded not guilty, Senior Insp W. E. Keill, told the court that Lee was found in the emporium when 500 sheets of inflammatory leaflets, 189 inflammatory posters, and a number of offensive weapons were seized during a police raid on the premises.

Also found were 17 pieces of metal piping, eight bottles of acid, three triangular files and knives.

In South Kowloon Court, six members of the Rubber and Plastic General Union in Canton Road were jailed for from 15 months to two years by Mr G. C. Byrne, the magistrate, after they were found guilty on charges of rioting and obstructing police.

Ho San-kee (30), Ho Chau (25), Yim Cheong-leung (34) and Ho Dunn (32) were each jailed for 15 months while Ho Hing (24) and Ho Fat-kuen (30) were each jailed for two years.

Yim was additionally jailed another four months after he was found guilty of assaulting Constable Ng Lam-hung while was on the way to a police station.

The court was told that all the accused were arrested on the floor below their union premises at 1093 Canton Road, second floor, on June 23.

***

SCMP, 30 Jul 1967 (Page 11) [South China Sunday Post]

Hongkong - Is it really vital to Britain?
FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

(Photo)

THE flourishing Crown Colony of Hongkong, capitalist to the core, is financially far more valuable to Communist China today than it is to us. So just what is it we are defending there? And from our viewpoint, is it worth it?

These are the questions which need answering as Britain’s much-modified, much-criticised East-of-Suez defence policy goes into the melting pot once more.

The main facts are straightforward.

Defending Hongkong costs us HK$176,000,000 a year. (The Colony contributes another $80,000,000).

Though we have the responsibilities, everyone has the benefits, some more than us. Hongkong buys more from China, Japan and the United States than from Britain, and we ended last year with a $256,000,000 trade deficit.

- MAJOR PROP -

The largest and richest of Britain's remaining colonies is a major prop of China’s economy. It provides China with $3,200 million a year, half Peking’s total hard currency income from all sources.

Hongkong, which is roughly half Greater London's size in area and population, is an economic phenomenon. It ranks among the top 20 trading communities in the world.

Its imports are running at a rate of $11,200 million a year, its exports exceed $8,000 million a year.

As an export market to the world it is almost twice as valuable as New Zealand and approaching the size of South Africa.

In recent years, Britain's share in Hongkong’s trade has been sliding. Five years ago we supplied 12 per cent of the Colony’s imports; today 10 per cent.

Our trade deficit with Hongkong gets worse every year. In 1961 the gap between exports and imports was less than $32,000,000. Last year our exports to Hongkong were worth $1,040 million, but we imported more than $1,280 million worth of goods, mainly textiles, all of which we could make ourselves --- but not as cheaply as Hongkong.

It is no secret that if anything happened to check this trade there would be glee among radio makers and Lancashire cotton men. It is also no secret that the result would be higher prices in our shops.

But Hongkong is more than a manufacturing centre.  It is also big in tourism, banking and insurance. Its dockyard is used by many British shipping lines for overhauls. It is a major aircraft servicing base for some airlines.

British investment in the Colony is conservatively estimated at $800,000,000. Hongkong also holds investments in Britain.

Many Hongkong Chinese capitalists have taken care to salt away some of their profits in Britain and the United States, mainly in industrial stocks.

The Colony also contributes something over $2,020 million to the Bank of England’s currency reserves.

Strategically, Hongkong is no longer of great importance. It is militarily indefensible; a serious attack by China would swiftly crush it.

- USEFUL -

As a Far East staging post, the RAF considers it “very useful,” but not vital. As a Navy base, it is insignificant compared with Singapore.

Hongkong’s main importance militarily is as a window on China, a place from which to watch and listen to what is happening in the world’s biggest and most crazily mixed-up country.

Western businessmen returning from trips into China are quizzed for any scrap of information as a matter of routine by the China-watchers.

The colony also acts as a major listening post for China’s radio stations, and a collecting base for newspapers brought by the streams of Chinese constantly crossing the border.

If Hongkong is so valuable to China, why has Peking directed the current wave of violence?

Inspired by the thoughts of Chairman Mao, are the Chinese now determined to forego capitalist-won profit for the sake of Communist doctrine?

British businessmen with interests in Hongkong watch anxiously, but do not know the answer.

As one put it: “We always considered Hongkong was safe because of its value to the Communists provided there was no great political upset in China. Now the upset has happened.”

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Caught Burning Phone Booth

Two men were arrested for setting fire to a telephone booth outside the Wanchai Market in Queen’s Road East at about 9.30 pm.

There was a struggle during which both men and two detectives were slightly injured.

The men have been charged and will appear in court today.

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

FACTORY FIRE RAGES IN SANPOKONG

A fire at a weaving factory which broke out shortly after 9 pm yesterday was upgraded to a fourth alarm and was still raging early this morning.

The factory, at No 19 Ng Fong Street, Sanpokong, is part of an 11-storey building situated not far from the scene of the first riot which erupted in early May.

According to workers who escaped, the fire started at the rear staircase of the 7th floor of the building and due to the strong wind the blaze rapidly spread to the upper floors and on to the roof.

Fire appliances under the command of Mr I. S. M. Riches which arrived on the scene came under a barrage of bottles and stones thrown from buildings in the vicinity. Riot police had to cordon off the area before firemen could battle the blaze.

According to eye-witnesses, several workers attempted to make their way to the roof but were cut off. “We heard cries for help but they broke off abruptly,” one eye-witness said.

A fireman was slightly injured and a 47-year-old woman was overcome by smoke. Both of them were taken to hospital.

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

Police Pay Tribute To Public

The public was yesterday praised by a high-ranking Police officer for its co-operation and sympathy extended to the police during their recent actions against trouble-makers in Hongkong.

Mr C. P. Sutcliffe, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kowloon, said the attitude of the public had been one of admirable patience especially when it was necessary at times to interrupt their daily routine.

“Many of the premises we search are located in residential buildings which house large numbers of persons not connected in any way with our inquiries.

“In order to secure the premises, we may find it necessary to urge occupants of neighbouring apartments to remain indoors, so that they do not become innocently involved in the operation.

“I am thankful and happy to say that such people generally appreciate the reasons which compel us to do this,” Mr Sutcliffe said.

He added that in planning these operations police had to go to considerable lengths to reduce to the absolute minimum any inconvenience to the public that may result.

- No Complaints -

“Mr Sutcliffe pointed out that there were many instances where quite extensive search operations had been conducted while traffic in the street below had been allowed to continue uninterrupted, or with only the very briefest of delays.

Often residents of multi-storey buildings who were not located on the particular floor visited by search parties were permitted to move about the building without hindrance.

“I think the fact that so far we have received no complaints speaks for itself,” Mr Sutcliffe said. “And this attitude has by no means remained a negative one either.

“We have been treated with every courtesy, and-many residents have gone out of their way to perform little acts of kindness towards our policemen taking part in these operations, offering them refreshments, giving them access to private telephones, even making helpful suggestions that might facilitate our search.

“Those are all heartening Indications that the public are wholeheartedly behind us in our actions, and that they are willing to accept without demur whatever temporary inconvenience might arise from them.”

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 1)

RASH OF FALSE BOMB REPORTS
Police, Army Kept Busy Throughout Yesterday
SCARE AT AIRPORT

There was a rash of bomb reports yesterday but only six proved to be genuine and the bombs, all home-made ones, were detonated by police and Army experts.

Up to midnight last night, a total of 23 bomb reports were received in the Colony and 17 of these --- seven on Hongkong Island and 10 in Kowloon --- were false alarms.

On the Island, shortly after 3.15 am, a passerby reported that a paper box had been placed at a bus stop opposite the Repulse Bay Hotel.

It was later found to be a bomb and exploded.

Shortly after 6.13 pm, another bomb, wrapped in paper, was found under the lamp post about ten yards from the Hongkong Country Club, Wong Chuk Hang Road.

Two men riding on bicycles made the discovery and reported it to the Country Club's watchman.

It was later detonated by an Army bomb expert on the spot with a big bang.

In Kowloon, a bomb was found in Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui, shortly after 6 am. Thirty minutes later another was found in Yu Man Square, Kun Tong.

A bomb wrapped in paper was found near the Church Assembly Hall in Kimberley New Street near Observatory Road shortly after 8 am.

Another bomb was found In Argyle Street opposite the old Kowloon Hospital about an hour later.

Army and police bomb experts detonated all the bombs on the spot.

All the false reports received by police were found to be either stones wrapped in paper or tins of which one was found to contain biscuits.

A suspected bomb at Kaitak Airport turned out to be a tin of sweets when an Army explosives expert examined the parcel.

A CPA ground hostess, Miss Eugenia Yau, noticed the suspicious looking bag behind an ash can next to the departure gate No 3 on the first floor of the airport terminal about 4.20 pm and reported it to the airport police.

The area was cordoned off by the police as curious crowds gathered round. An Army bomb expert arrived about 50 minutes later and carefully placed the “bomb” in an ash can and took it inside the departure compound. He found the tin to contain several sweets.

A beer bottle containing an inflammable liquid was thrown at a watchman's kiosk at the China Provident Godown in Connaught Road West at about 10 p.m. The small fire it caused was quickly put out by firemen, and there were no casualties.

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

Five Leftist Reporters Charged

Following a disturbance at Wangtauhom resettlement estate on Saturday night, four men and a woman were charged yesterday with participating in an intimidatory assembly and making inflammatory speeches.

The men are Law Yuk-wo (31), Wong Yat-lau (37), Chan Chi-fung (32) and Ng Choi-shing (23). The woman is Wong Ling (34).

An additional charge, of possessing an inflammatory poster, was brought against Ng.

All five defendants are leftist reporters and were arrested on Saturday night.

Commenting on complaints in local Communist newspapers yesterday that the five had been “carrying out their routine work,” a police spokesman said.

“Anyone who engages in the kind of activities which’ he police witnessed at Wangtauhom resettlement estate last  night will be arrested irrespective of who he may be.

“If sufficient policemen had been present, we would have apprehended everyone who participated in the assembly.”

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 6)

INFORMATION SOUGHT ON EXPLOSIVES

A Government spokesman yesterday urged people to continue to pass on to the police any information they might have of hidden explosives and weapons.

He was commenting on the recent seizures on both sides of the harbour of quantities of explosives, including gelignite. People rendered a great service when they informed the police about these weapons, the spokesman said.

Government had set aside a sum of money for the payment of rewards to these people, in recognition of their co-operation with the authorities.

The rewards ranged from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the quantity of arms involved and the seriousness of the case concerned, he said.

“We must co-operate and act as one in stamping out the present terrorist activities and eliminating the handful of local Communists responsible for them,” the spokesman added.

***

SCMP, 31 Jul 1967 (Page 10)

THE EMERGENCY LAWS

THE necessity for the emergency laws that have been enforced as the disturbances lengthened out has naturally been questioned by some critics, and where genuine flaws can be pinpointed there is no reason to think amendment impossible. However, there is a simplicist attitude to, say, the Emergency Deportation and Detention Regulations which seems wilfully to ignore the fact that the politics of the region in which Hongkong lies create special problems. It is impossible, for instance, to deport aliens whose countries of origin will not accept them. It may well be equally impossible, for security or other reasons, to conduct public inquiries into methods of “planning and instigating disturbances behind the scenes.” One of the other reasons, which applies equally to drug trafficking, is the difficulty of obtaining independent witnesses through fear of reprisals. It should further be realised that the original Emergency Regulations Ordinance dates back to 1922 and empowers the Governor in Council “on any occasion which he may consider to be an occasion of emergency or public danger” to “make any regulations whatsoever which he may consider desirable in the  public interest.”

This may appear rough justice in certain aspects but for most of us the regulations will seem, in the words of one correspondent, “a necessary evil.” General public endorsement appears to be reflected in the absence of any widespread outcry, save from the left. There is no general fear of the laws being indiscriminately enforced or abused, or the freedom of the responsible Press violated. The regulations will have to be rescinded --- indeed public opinion will see to it --- as soon as circumstances warrant their withdrawal. But it is wrong to argue that simply because the absence of some of these regulations during the worst phases of the disturbances produced few visibly adverse effects there is no need of emergency measures now. The lesson of history is that prolonged tolerance of aggression in whatever form increases the danger to free societies. And the real motives behind the emergency laws should be in no danger of being misinterpreted abroad if reports sent overseas are not distorted or grossly exaggerated.

***

31 July 1967 [FBIS]

MORE BRITISH INTRUSIONS, ARRESTS IN HONG KONG
Kidnaping of Chinese Correspondent

Peking NCNA International Service in English 1944 GMT 30 July 1967--W

(Text) Hong Kong, 30 July--On 29 July the British fascist authorities in Hong Kong again kidnaped correspondents of NCNA and patriotic papers while they were engaged in normal reporting activities.

At about 2030 on the evening of 29 July NCNA correspondent Lo Yu-ho, WEN WEI PAO reporter Huang I-liu, TA KUNG PAO reporter Wang Ning, Hong Kong SHANG PAO reporter Chen Tzu-feng and CHING PAO reporter Wu Tsai-cheng were kidnaped by plainclothesmen in the Wan Tau Hom area as they were returning from a normal reporting assignment.

On the early morning of 30 July the British Hong Kong authorities admitted that they had been "arrested" by the criminal investigation police of the Kowloon headquarters of the Hong Kong police and were being detained by the Wong Tai Sin police division. Feng Po-kan, the driver of the WEN WEI PAO car, who was kidnaped with the five correspondents, was released after more than 20 hours in detention. Early on the morning of 30 July the NCNA Hong Kong branch issued a protest statement which described the British authorities. action as a fascist crime. It said that this brutal kidnaping was another serious political provocation of the British imperialists against the NCNA Hong Kong branch and the patriotic papers and was a frenzied action in which they deliberately set themselves against the 700 million Chinese people. The statement expressed the staff's great indignation.

It declared that in their last desperate struggle, the British Hong Kong authorities had suppressed and arrested patriotic Chinese in the past few days so as to cover their weakness. It warned the British Hong Kong authorities immediately to release correspondent Lo Yu-ho and the other reporters including NCNA correspondents Hsueh Ping, Chen Feng-ying and Chen Te-mu and those of patriotic papers who were kidnaped previously, make a public apology and ensure freedom for the NCNA correspondents and reporters of the patriotic papers in their work; otherwise, the British Hong Kong authorities would be held fully responsible for all the serious consequences. The committee of the workers of WEN WEI PAO, TA KUNG PAO and CHING PAO to struggle against persecution by the British Hong Kung authorities issued a joint statement today. It pointed out, that for several days running, the British Hong Kong authorities have escalated their suppression are have committed monstrous crimes. Fearing that their atrocities would be exposed by the patriotic correspondents, they resorted to the fascist means of kidnaping correspondents in an attempt to cover up their crimes. In fact, this is nothing but wishful thinking. The British authorities! repeated persecution and kidnaping of patriotic correspondents in the course of their normal reporting activities can do nothing but arouse stronger indignation among the patriotic Chinese and broaden the movement to struggle against British violence.

In conclusion, the statement warned the British Hong Kong authorities that their persecution and kidnaping of patriotic correspondents was another serious political provocation against the 700 million Chinese people. "Our great leader Chairman Mao teaches us: ‘We will not attack unless we are attacked; if we are attacked, we will certainly counter-attack.' We will resolutely follow Chairman Mao's teachers and carry out a tit for tat struggle to the end. The patriotic correspondents who are armed with Mao Tse-tung's thought are not to be trifled with. You must release the kidnaped correspondents immediately, publicly apologize to them guarantee them personal security and freedom to carry out their work and ensure that similar incidents do not occur again, otherwise you must beat the full responsibility for all the consequences arising therefrom.”

"On four occasions over the past two months, the Fascist British Hong Kong authorities have illegally kidnaped patriotic Hang Kong correspondents--14 in all. The British Hong Kong authorities must settle in full their accounts for these fascist crimes.