SCMP, 5 May 1967
FLOWER WORKS LOCK OUT
The Hongkong Artificial Flowers Works continued to lock out about 1,000 workers at its plants in Belcher's Street, Western, and Sanpokong, Kowloon, yesterday.
A few workers arrived to collect back pay. But the management said the workers could claim their back pay only through the Labour Department, with effect from today.
Mr Tsui Tim-fook, Labour Officer in charge of the Department's Conciliation Section, said that he had already contacted the management and said that the Department would not handle cash for the company. It would act as a mediator if workers came forward to claim their wages.
***
SCMP, 5 May 1967
REPRIMAND FOR WEARING MAO BADGE
The Education Department said yesterday it had received a report that the headmaster of a Taipo primary school reprimanded a pupil for wearing a Mao badge.
A spokesman for the Department said it was understood the matter had been settled and, no action was contemplated.
Left-wing newspapers yesterday attacked the headmaster's action and called him a "reactionary element engaged in anti-Communist activities."
The reports alleged that the headmaster told pupils to take off all Mao badges on April when an Education Department inspector visited the school.
***
SCMP, 7 May 1967
Seventeen people were arrested yesterday afternoon when a police riot squad moved in to clear a group of about 60 striking workers of the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works after they had prevented other workers from handling goods in the factory.
One of the arrested men received head injuries from a police baton and was sent to hospital.
Four other men were arrested later.
Police action was taken after Mr. P. F. Cooper, Senior Police Superintendent, had reasoned in vain with the workers for more than half an hour to give free exit to the goods.
When police moved in to clear the streets and to make arrests, workmen who were working in other flatted factories, threw bottles and small pieces of iron, at the police from upper floors.
A few minutes before the clash, Mr Hung Piu, a foreman of the company, was involved in a general melee with the workers while trying to load goods on to a lorry. He was cornered by an angry mob and police moved in to give protection.
- FOREMAN SCOLDED -
The. week-long labour dispute appeared likely to be another normal day when yesterday began, he workers tried but failed to locate the management Jor discussion and Mr Hung Piu was scolded. for failing to get in touch with the manager.
Just before the lunch hour, representatives from other factories. came with money and food to express their sympathy.
At 4.20pm, a lorry arrived for a load of finished articles for shipment overseas The driver had to make a hasty retreat when he. was. prevented from entering the factory by the workers on strike.
Then other general labourers opened the factory door and moved out some cartons of goods already packed for shipment. The striking workers tossed them back and. they were left.stacked up at the entrance to the works.
During the melee, Mr Hung Piu was accused by a workman of assault and he was cornered and stopped from leaving the scene.
Police arrived soon afterwards and invited the victim of the alleged assault to undergo a medical examination and to take action against Mr Hung according to law. The victim refused and his refusal was given loud approval by his fellow workers.
When after about 30 minutes of reasoning had failed, police moved in and clashed with the workers. Seventeen persons were. arrested. As they were being led off to police vehicles, they shouted slogans, One or two were waving their red books of Chairman Mao’s thoughts.
As police cordoned off the area, lorries moved in and cartons of the finished articles were loaded.. The riot squad then moved forward to clear the road to permit eight loaded lorries and three empty ones to leave the area unhindered. Police remained in control of the area until 8:15 pm before they were withdrawn,
During the 45 minutes they remained there, a large group of youths who were gathering on the fringe of the controlled area, jeered at other workers cleaving. their factories after work.
They also banged on the doors of taxis and cars moving through the crowd to get by. As the small unit of police facing them withdrew, they followed and threw slippers and shoes at them.
Just as it looked as it, an ugly incident might develop, the riot squad moved forward and cleared the streets.
After this the crowd left.
A Government spokesman said a total of 21 persons have been charged with unlawful assembly.
- NO OTHER WEAPONS -
The spokesman added that police used no other weapons other than their batons during the incident.
At the Green Island Cement Company's plant in Hunghom, the situation remained calm yesterday although there were large groups of workers outside the factory after they had decided. earlier to veto a decision to meet Mr J. Brooker, the company’s Managing Director, at the Labour Department in the morning.
In a statement to the press, the workers said they would continue to insist that Mr Brooker meet them at their union or at the works. They also affirmed that they could not be “starved into submission. ”
***
***
SCMP, 7 May 1967
POLICE CLASH WITH STRIKERS 21 ARRESTED
By J. P. PRETTEJOHN
Seventeen people were arrested yesterday afternoon when a police riot squad moved in to clear a group of about 60 striking workers of the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works after they had prevented other workers from handling goods in the factory.
One of the arrested men received head injuries from a police baton and was sent to hospital.
Four other men were arrested later.
Police action was taken after Mr. P. F. Cooper, Senior Police Superintendent, had reasoned in vain with the workers for more than half an hour to give free exit to the goods.
When police moved in to clear the streets and to make arrests, workmen who were working in other flatted factories, threw bottles and small pieces of iron, at the police from upper floors.
A few minutes before the clash, Mr Hung Piu, a foreman of the company, was involved in a general melee with the workers while trying to load goods on to a lorry. He was cornered by an angry mob and police moved in to give protection.
- FOREMAN SCOLDED -
The. week-long labour dispute appeared likely to be another normal day when yesterday began, he workers tried but failed to locate the management Jor discussion and Mr Hung Piu was scolded. for failing to get in touch with the manager.
Just before the lunch hour, representatives from other factories. came with money and food to express their sympathy.
At 4.20pm, a lorry arrived for a load of finished articles for shipment overseas The driver had to make a hasty retreat when he. was. prevented from entering the factory by the workers on strike.
Then other general labourers opened the factory door and moved out some cartons of goods already packed for shipment. The striking workers tossed them back and. they were left.stacked up at the entrance to the works.
During the melee, Mr Hung Piu was accused by a workman of assault and he was cornered and stopped from leaving the scene.
Police arrived soon afterwards and invited the victim of the alleged assault to undergo a medical examination and to take action against Mr Hung according to law. The victim refused and his refusal was given loud approval by his fellow workers.
When after about 30 minutes of reasoning had failed, police moved in and clashed with the workers. Seventeen persons were. arrested. As they were being led off to police vehicles, they shouted slogans, One or two were waving their red books of Chairman Mao’s thoughts.
As police cordoned off the area, lorries moved in and cartons of the finished articles were loaded.. The riot squad then moved forward to clear the road to permit eight loaded lorries and three empty ones to leave the area unhindered. Police remained in control of the area until 8:15 pm before they were withdrawn,
During the 45 minutes they remained there, a large group of youths who were gathering on the fringe of the controlled area, jeered at other workers cleaving. their factories after work.
They also banged on the doors of taxis and cars moving through the crowd to get by. As the small unit of police facing them withdrew, they followed and threw slippers and shoes at them.
Just as it looked as it, an ugly incident might develop, the riot squad moved forward and cleared the streets.
After this the crowd left.
A Government spokesman said a total of 21 persons have been charged with unlawful assembly.
- NO OTHER WEAPONS -
The spokesman added that police used no other weapons other than their batons during the incident.
At the Green Island Cement Company's plant in Hunghom, the situation remained calm yesterday although there were large groups of workers outside the factory after they had decided. earlier to veto a decision to meet Mr J. Brooker, the company’s Managing Director, at the Labour Department in the morning.
In a statement to the press, the workers said they would continue to insist that Mr Brooker meet them at their union or at the works. They also affirmed that they could not be “starved into submission. ”
***
SCMP, 8 May 1967
POSTERS TAKEN DOWN
‘Clean-up’ At Artificial Flowers Factory
PROTEST TO POLICE
Workers of the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works in Sanpokong yesterday took down without any interference, all the "big character posters" put up by left-wing workers at the factory on Saturday.
Shortly after 5 pm, after the walls have been cleaned, the management put up notices prohibiting the posting of notices by workers on the walls of the building.
There was no incident at the factory yesterday, and no mass gathering outside.
Between 10 am and noon yesterday six lorry-loads of goods were moved from the factory, but there was no movement of goods in the afternoon.
Only a few uniformed police officers were seen, but the whole area was “covered” by plainclothes detectives.
- Representations -
Twenty-one people were arrested by the police on Saturday after they had clashed with the Police Riot Squad when they prevented other workers from handling goods in the factory.
Meanwhile, 12 people in two groups, identifying themselves as members of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Plastic Workers’ General Union and members of the Federation of Trade Unions, called at Police Headquarters in Arsenal Street yesterday to make representations about police action and the arrest of the 21 workers.
The first group, comprising three men and two women, arrived at 3:30 pm and the second (six men and one woman) two hours later. They were interviewed by a Police Superintendent.
According to an official statement, the Superintendent told them he had noted their remarks and pointed out that the people in question were about to be charged with certain offences against the laws of the Colony.
"Since this matter is now of concern to the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to say anything now about the circumstances of the arrest," the Superintendent added.
- Inappropriate -
"But on the information available to me, I believe that the arrests were lawful and correct and the question of the release on bail before their appearance in court is still receiving consideration."
The two groups left without incident.
A police spokesman said last night that the 21 people arrested have been charged with a local assembly and would appear in North Kowloon Court this morning.
There were also no incidents at the Green Island Cement Co plant in Hunghom yesterday, following the closure of the works on Thursday night.
Senior officials of the company went to the factory yesterday afternoon and some of them were seen inspecting various machines while other toward the plant's compounds.
Some Chinese workmen were also seen checking and repairing some of the machinery.
***
SCMP, 9 May 1967
Chau Ka (30), an embroidery worker of 264 Reclamation Street, seventh floor, Mongkok was discharged on entering a recognisance of $250 to be of good behaviour for the next 12 months.
The court was told that Chau shouted "Long live Chairman Mao Tse-tung" in Tseuk Luk Street on Saturday evening, and attracted a small crowd.
Chau was arrested by two detectives after he had ignored their warnings to leave the scene.
In mitigation, Chau said he had committed the offence on the spur of the moment. He was on his way home after work when he was attracted by the disturbances.
SCMP, 9 May 1967
Man Admits Misconduct Charge
A man pleaded guilty before Mr E. C. Barnes in Kun Tong Court yesterday to a charge of misconduct arising from the disturbances in Sanpokong on Saturday.Chau Ka (30), an embroidery worker of 264 Reclamation Street, seventh floor, Mongkok was discharged on entering a recognisance of $250 to be of good behaviour for the next 12 months.
The court was told that Chau shouted "Long live Chairman Mao Tse-tung" in Tseuk Luk Street on Saturday evening, and attracted a small crowd.
Chau was arrested by two detectives after he had ignored their warnings to leave the scene.
In mitigation, Chau said he had committed the offence on the spur of the moment. He was on his way home after work when he was attracted by the disturbances.
***
SCMP, 9 May 1967
DEFENDANTS APPEAR IN COURT ORDER UNDER POLICE GUARD
Under heavy police guard, 21 men arrested on Saturday in Sanpokong appeared before: Mr F. de F. Stratton in North Kowloon Court yesterday, on charges of unlawful assembly, common assault, intimidation, and shouting slogans.
All pleaded not guilty, except one, to a charge of unlawful assembly outside 33 Tai Yau Street, He was fined $100 and was give seven days to pay the fine.
Chang Ma-wan (26), plastics worker, of No. 257, Block 27, Wongtaisin resettlement estate, second floor, told Mr. Stratton he had not the money to pay the fine. He said: “Even if you let me go home, I still cannot raise money to pay the fine. Chang was told by Mr. Stratton that he had seven days to raise the money.
The 20 men who pleaded not guilty were Pang Fai (33), Tang Hung (27), Leung Mi-fat (24), Tsang Kin (27), Lai Hong-lam (25), Chow Chung-shing (40), Wong Yip-to (25), Wong Kang-ling ((25), Siu Kim-fai (31), Law Chung-wan (30); Lam Luk (25), Chung Yuk-fong (25); Ku Yuk-kan (40), Mak Ming (19), Yau For-wai (38), Cheung Kan-leung (28), Lee Sing (25), Au-yeung Chun Keung (40), Fung Kam-shing (20), and Ng Ping-ming (25).
All of them are employed as plastics workers, except Fung Kam-shing, who is employed in a rubber factory.
Wong Kang-ling and Siu Kim-fai are additionally charged with intimidation. They are alleged to have intimidated Mr Hung Piu, a foreman of the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works, on Saturday. Both denied the charge.
- Deny Assault -
They also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Hung.
Pang Fai and Lai Hong-lam also pleaded not guilty to the assault charge.
Cheung Kan-leung is also charged with shouting slogans. He denied it.
The 20 defendants were offered bail ranging from $100 to $200. The case will be heard in South Kowloon Court on May 16.
After Chang pleaded guilty to the charge, Det Insp C. K. Chan told the court that about 4:14 pm on Saturday, the supervisor of the Artificial Flower Works told Mr Hung to load flowers into a van. The strikers, including Chang, prevented Mr Hung. Police later arrived at the request of the supervisor.
Despite several warnings. the strikers did not disperse. Finally, they were arrested.
A large number of spectators packed the courtroom. Extra police constables and plainclothes police were on guard inside the court building.
***
SCMP, 10 May 1967
FLOWER WORKERS DEFY MANAGEMENT’S ORDER
More than 70 workers concerned in a dispute with the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works in Sanpokong yesterday returned to the factory and for two hours recited Chairman Mao’s quotations, shouted the slogans and sang songs in front of the main building.
The workers also put up posters on the wall at the factory’s entrance despite notices by the management forbidding the sticking of handbills.
The posters denounced last Saturday’s police action when 21 people were arrested. They also demanded the release of the workers’ representatives who were among those arrested.
- Withdraw –
A party of police arrived on the scene and it looked as if there might be a repetition of Saturday’s disturbances.
But when the workers inside the factory managed to close and lock the front gate, the police withdrew from the scene.
The workers stayed for another hour, singing, reciting and shouting slogans, before dispersing.
Meanwhile, it was learned that several men claiming to represent more than 200 employees of the flower factory had approached the Labour Department to try to reach a settlement for resumption of work.
A Labour Department spokesman said that six men from the company’s factory in Belcher’s Street in Hongkong called on the department and expressed their desire to resume work under the new terms set out by the management.
- Mission –
A “comfort mission”, organized by local left-wing film studios, visited the workers who squatted outside the Hunghom plant of the Green Island Cement Co, Ltd. The mission, comprising three film stars – Miss Chu Hung, Mr Fu Chi and Mr Pao Fong - presented a case of fruit from China to the workers.
The actors and actress then chanted several quotation of Chairman Mao from their red booklets.
As on the previous days, the workers sat down in front of the main gate or walked round outside the plant during office hours. They left at 5pm, as if they had finished work.
There were no incidents.
The workers were protesting against the company’s closure of the plant following a dispute with the management.
These pictures, taken at the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works, Sanpokong, yesterday, show (top) police telling chanting workers (below) to behave in an orderly manner and to keep away from the main entrance of the factory.
***
SCMP, 10 May 1967
FLOWER WORKERS DEFY MANAGEMENT’S ORDER
Posters Appear Again On Factory Wall
More than 70 workers concerned in a dispute with the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works in Sanpokong yesterday returned to the factory and for two hours recited Chairman Mao’s quotations, shouted the slogans and sang songs in front of the main building.The workers also put up posters on the wall at the factory’s entrance despite notices by the management forbidding the sticking of handbills.
The posters denounced last Saturday’s police action when 21 people were arrested. They also demanded the release of the workers’ representatives who were among those arrested.
- Withdraw –
A party of police arrived on the scene and it looked as if there might be a repetition of Saturday’s disturbances.
But when the workers inside the factory managed to close and lock the front gate, the police withdrew from the scene.
The workers stayed for another hour, singing, reciting and shouting slogans, before dispersing.
Meanwhile, it was learned that several men claiming to represent more than 200 employees of the flower factory had approached the Labour Department to try to reach a settlement for resumption of work.
A Labour Department spokesman said that six men from the company’s factory in Belcher’s Street in Hongkong called on the department and expressed their desire to resume work under the new terms set out by the management.
- Mission –
A “comfort mission”, organized by local left-wing film studios, visited the workers who squatted outside the Hunghom plant of the Green Island Cement Co, Ltd. The mission, comprising three film stars – Miss Chu Hung, Mr Fu Chi and Mr Pao Fong - presented a case of fruit from China to the workers.
The actors and actress then chanted several quotation of Chairman Mao from their red booklets.
As on the previous days, the workers sat down in front of the main gate or walked round outside the plant during office hours. They left at 5pm, as if they had finished work.
There were no incidents.
The workers were protesting against the company’s closure of the plant following a dispute with the management.
***
SCMP, 11 May 1967
Over 100 Workers Hold Three-hour Demonstration
More than 100 workers held a three-hour demonstration outside the Hongkong Artificial Flower Works in Sanpokong yesterday.
They sang songs, recited Chairman Mao's thoughts and shouted slogans. Occasionally, visitors from other factories join in the demonstration.
The demonstration started about 12:10 pm when the workers arrived outside the factory gate in groups. They quickly posted bills on the same wall that had been washed and cleaned earlier by the factory management.
The demonstration ended about 3 pm without incident.
Police patrolled the area in jeeps but the demonstrators, who were assembled outside the side gate of the factory premises, were left alone during the three-hour-long demonstration.
The posters put up by the workers yesterday condemned what they called "the interference of the British authority in Hong Kong in the labour dispute."
The posters called on the workers to be united and "the Chinese patriots" to present a united front.
For the first time yesterday, a political cartoon appeared on the wall. It showed up "paper tiger” which was representative of the “imperialists and the revisionists.”
- Locked-out -
At the Green Island Cement Company's plant in Hunghom, more than 100 locked-out workers continued to picket outside the factory premises.
Mr Mao’s quotations were read from time to time when small groups of sympathisers visited them and donated food and beverages. They also donated 60 film tickets to the workers.
Students from left-wing schools arrived in modern school buses and cheered the workers.
The workers appeared to be in a friendly mood yesterday. They did not object when reporters came near to read the wall posters.
Later, a man addressed the workers and asked them to support the United Nations Association of Hong Kong but Mr Ma Man-fai, the Secretary-General, said last night the UNA had no knowledge of the man nor had any instructions been given to anyone to make a speech to the workers.
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