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be effectively closed to any large extent (and it
must be assumed that in Japanese hands the closure
would be effective against both bribery and evasion),
the problem of feeding the Chinese population would,
subject to the observation in paragraph 8 of this despatch, be one of great gravity in that it would be almost impossible to find substitutes for the
pork, fish and fresh vegetables which, with rice,
form the ordinary diet of Chinese.
-5. As regards the ocean-borne produce which
would not be available for the postulated three
months, this Colony is in the happy position of being a great trans-shipment port for flour and rice as well as an entrepôt for tinned provisions destined for coast ports. The simple expedient of prohibiting the export of these commodities would therefore give a full supply for the Colony's needs for at least three months, and in most normal times for very much
longer.
6.
In the matter of fresh milk this Colony
is entirely self-supporting,
7.
As regards frozen meat, upon which the non- Chinese population largely subsists, the leading firm here invariably has a stock which would serve the Colony's needs for several months, as it is a large purveyor of this commodity to ocean-going liners, and this additional supply would be available in case of
war for the civil population.
8. In the event of a prolonged siege, such as is envisaged in your despatch, it is certain that a very great proportion of the Chinese population
would