PRIMARY PRODUCTION
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to advise the Director of Marketing (currently the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries). Its main objective is to provide for orderly transportation of locally-produced vegetables from the New Territories to the wholesale market in Kowloon, and the super- vision of sales and financial transactions in the market. Revenue is obtained from a 10 per cent commission on sales of vegetables. The organisation is a non-profit-making concern and seeks to obtain maximum returns for growers by minimising their marketing costs. During 1971, 83,222 metric tons of vegetables, valued at $65,116,921 were sold through the organisation.
The Fish Marketing Organisation operates under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance, which likewise provides for a board to advise the Director of Marketing. The organisation grew out of the steps taken to rehabilitate the fishing fleet at the end of the Pacific War, with the long-term object of developing the industry on a sound economic footing. It provides orderly marketing and transportation facilities for the primary producer and the retailer of marine fish, at the organisation's seven wholesale markets. Revenue is obtained from a six per cent commission on sales of fish. As a non-profit-making body, surplus earnings are ploughed back into the primary sector of the fishing industry through low-interest loans for productive pur- poses. In 1971, landings marketed through wholesale fish markets totalled 75,463 metric tons valued at $141.78 million.
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As part of the forward planning of marketing facilities in 1971, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries carried out a pre- construction survey with a view to obtaining information and data relating to future improved wholesale marketing facilities for im- ported vegetables, fruit and poultry. Similar surveys have been carried out in connection with locally-produced fish and vegetables.
MINING
Iron ore and, at times, graphite are mined underground and kaolin, feldspar and quartz by opencast methods. Iron ore concen- trate (magnetite) is exported to Japan, graphite principally to the United States and kaolin to Japan and Taiwan. Most of the feldspar and about 30 per cent of the kaolin are consumed by local light industries.
Under the Mining Ordinance, the ownership and control of minerals is vested in the Crown. The Land Officer is empowered to grant mining leases and the Commissioner of Mines to grant mining and prospecting licences. Details of leases and licences in operation are published twice a year in the Government Gazette. At the end of