PUBLICATIONS, BROADCASTING AND FILMS
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the installation of more modern printing plant. It is indicative of the progressive outlook of Hong Kong newspapers that, despite circulations that might seem small by European or American standards, there is an eagerness to make use of all the newest technical advances available to the industry. This is particularly noticeable in photographic processes. A recent development has been the introduction of a radio-photo service by one of the inter- national agencies.
Among new daily newspapers published during the year the largest has been the Fai Po (Express) printed by Sing Po Amalgamated, the group which also publishes the Hong Kong Tiger Standard in English and the Sing Tao morning and after- noon papers. The same group also took part in another unusual development when they undertook the printing in Hong Kong of an edition of the Fookien Times, a Manila Chinese daily. Another newspaper, which in a way symbolizes the rapid growth of the Colony, is the Chinese-language Kowloon Evening News, whose name is itself a recognition of the status of the city which now houses one-and-a-half times as many people as the Island of Hong Kong. The small numerical increase in the total number of daily newspapers compared with the previous year does not however, tell the whole story. One or two small papers have ceased publica- tion and slightly more have taken their place. It is this steady rather than spectacular increase in the number of newspapers that is one of the healthy signs of the Hong Kong newspaper industry, especially when compared with other countries which bewail a progressive contraction of the press. The explanation lies essen- tially in the economics of newspaper publication in Hong Kong. One or two journalists together can make a living, between circula- tion and advertising, from the publication of a small one-sheet newspaper with a circulation of only two or three thousand. There is no need to invest in expensive plant at that stage since there are many printing houses able to undertake the printing of two or three such newspapers at a time. The requirements of registra- tion under the law are simple. All newspapers published in the Colony must be registered with the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. The fee is $100 a year. In addition, the applicant must deposit $10,000 as a surety or provide two acceptable guarantors in this sum. Thus, many journalists are able to satisfy their ambitions to