17
CONFIDENTIAL
(c) As was forecast in your Saving Despatch 109 of 22nd September, 1967 it has not been possible to develop to any great extent alternative sources of fresh food, particularly meat. In October last year, an Assistant Director of Agriculture & Fisheries made trips to Korea, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, and Thailand, and later another officer visited Indo- nesia. While all these countries were willing to export more live cattle and frozen meat to Hong Kong, there has been no significant increase in im- ports from these countries because of the return of Chinese supplies to the local market.
(d) As regards frozen meat and poultry, these are both now reserved commodities under the Importation and Exportation (Reserved Commodities) Regulations, which means that all importers have to register with the Department of Commerce & Industry, apply for import licences and give details of their stocks. Regular returns are now available, but we are not taking measures to require importers to stockpile a minimum quantity of frozen meat, because of the public's preference for fresh meat and the consequent diffi- culty in turning over stocks.
(e)
There are considerable problems in replenishing the proposal to maintain a stockpile of frozen meat in Australia against a sudden deterioration in local supplies from China. However, the matter is still under examination and discussions have been held with representatives of the trade locally.
(f) As can be seen from the conclusions in the revised
paper, we have been forced to accept the position that Communist Chinese firms will maintain control over both supplies and distribution of food; however, investigations are being made to see whether the non-Communist food distribution network would be able to continue to function in an emergency.
(g) During last summer, a sub-committee of the main
Emergency Food Control Committee examined the possibility of rationing basic commodities if necessary. In its report, the sub-committee came to the conclusion that rationing of rice, edible oils and kerosene would be feasible; also that meat, vegetables, fish and eggs should also be included in any overall scheme, but there would be formidable difficulties in doing so.
/4.
CONFIDENTIAL
You