COPY.
NOTES FROM A RELIABLE CHINESE SOURCE.
CANTON/HONG KONG SERVICE.
42
Until a very short time ago, two Portuguese Lighters
of 300 and 500 tons capacity were running between Hong Kong and
Canton. They were blown up by mines outside Hong Kong Harbour
a little while ago.
Besides these lighters there are six junks, two
operated by one Company and four by another running to Canton. They are towed to Taishan, and therefrom towed up to Canton
by launches flying Japanese flag. On the downward trip
they are towed to Taishan by Japanese launches and the
Hong Kong launches take up the tow for Hong Kong.
Types of cargo for Canton are: oil, beans, salt fish,
It is reported
groundnuts, medicine, fertilisers and sugar.
that several shipments of rice, salt and sleepers had gone up.
Downward cargo consists of bamboo ware chinaware, Ching Lee
canes, fowls and vegetables.
It is reported that no duties are paid at Canton. There should be no difficulty for Canton to check up whether any cargo has passed through the Customs.
It is not possible to find out whether the Japanese have any direct financial interest in the operation of these crafts, but it is certain that some form of squeeze is paid
to them.
EONG KONG. 6.11.39.