Affiliated Associations, Sub-Organizations
Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Luen Yue Tong Limited(Martial Artists’ Association)
The Luen Yue Tong was once a private association of Tak Wo Tong, which was equivalent to nowadays' affiliated branch. It was the venue for most of the actors to learn martial arts, for the actors could start acting only after they have a good foundation in martial arts. According to the literature and Mr. Lam Kau and Mr. Koo Hung-kin, senior martial artists, whenever the statue of Master Hua-guang was lifted from his seat for a parade, there were always martial artists who carry Luen Yue (meaning King's Carriage) along. Hence, the Association was later named as Luen Yue Tong.
While there are not many records on the evolution of Luen Yue Tong, it was known that a President (now called the Chairman of the Board of Governors) was elected before World War II (WWII), and Mr. Leung Ka-sum (the late president) was in charge of internal affairs in the industry. When first joined the group at the age of early 20s, Mr. Koo Hung-kin's role was to help collect membership fees. As the actors scattered everywhere during WWII, it was indeed very difficult to contact the them one by one. During that time, there were around 200, 20, and 10 martial artists in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau respectively. To keep the Department running, Koo Hung-kin, who stayed in Macau, still collected welfare fees as usual in order to continue with the operation of the Department.
The social situation in Guangdong and Hong Kong resumed normal after WWII. Hence, Koo Hung-kin went to Guangzhou and passed the money he collected during the war to the president for arrangements. Later, a unit was rented as the office. Because the Mainland Government took back the site of the Barwo's old club-house, compensation was given to Luen Yue Tong. After discussion, the Directors decided to buy the current unit in En Ning Road and rearrange the office and practice area so that the disciples could pass the traditional skills to future generations.
The martial artists who came to Hong Kong in the early 1950s continued to perform Cantonese opera locally. With the rise of the motion pictures, many actors, actresses, and even martial artist joined the film industry. As a result, the Cantonese opera performances were very short of manpower. In order to accommodate the shortage of manpower, the story arrangements were revised in order to minimize the evenings that required the appearance of martial artists. This phenomenon last until around 1980. In order to sustain the operation during this difficult period, Luen Yue Tong had to collect welfare fee from members who had performances to stage ($2 per member per day on the days when performances were scheduled).
In 1981, the CAAHK Luen Yue Tong was established, with the first Board of Directors was elected. Mr. Lam Gau was appointed as the Chairman of the Board in leading the operation of Luen Yue Tong. When the entire group of Directors and some members returned to Guangzhou to visit Mr. Leung Ka-sum, President of Luen Yue Tong in 1981, they learned that the ancestral hall and the wall behind it had collapsed and needed money for repairs. After returning to Hong Kong, the group swiftly initiated donations from members. Finally, a total of $300, 000 was raised. The money was brought back to Guangzhou by Koo Hung-kin and Hui Chiu-man for the maintenance of the club-house of Luen Yue Tong in Guangzhou. In 1985, Luen Yue Tong held the election for the 2nd Board of Directors, and Mr. Lam Gau was once again elected as the Chairman of the board. At that time, there were 72 members. After the reorganization, it was agreed with the troupes that rather than just appearing on scheduled scenes, martial arts actors must participate in the entire stage performance. While there were new regulations on the daily salary in order to protect the welfare of the members, the welfare fees required for martial artists was also raised from $2 to $20 per day, with welfare payments still distributed at lunar year end in accordance with the regulations. Previously, there was a rule to distribute bonus benefits (??? Please clarify with Barwo) to members. However, the practice has been canceled nowadays due to the decreased number of members. As some older members have retired and members of the younger generation are still active in the film and television industry or other jobs, there are only around 20 people who are often engaged in Cantonese opera performances. Furthermore, the shortage of staff was also a cause for the gradual cancelation of distributing bonus benefits (??? Please clarify with Barwo).
When the new building of Luen Yue Tong in Guangzhou was completed and opened in early September 1993, the Board of Directors of Luen Yue Tong in Hong Kong launched a goodwill delegation tour group to visit Guangzhou and participate in the opening event. By witnessing the grand commemorative occasion, members of the industry in Hong Kong and Guangzhou were able to meet, share the joy, and exchange their invaluable experience.