F.I.R. No. 2.
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by the authorities without further warning. A large group of "repatriates" numbering over 1000 left Hongkong on July 15th for Tai - Ping. (Hongkong News, July 9th and 16th). Comment: Owing to the food shortage in Hongkong the Japanese authorities have been making strenuous efforts to evacuate all Chinese whose presence in Hongkong is considered unnecessary. Rico-ration cards were issued only to those who were long resident in Hongkong or who could prove adequately that their presence was required. Others were told to report to "repatriation centres" in order to be sent back to thoir homes in China proper. Final dates for completing the repatriation. have been announced from time to time, but inspite of successivo warnings and vigorous propaganda campaigns, the response has been so disappointing that repeated extensions have had to be made. Despite the official announcement that July 31st was the final dato for ropatriation after which forcible repatriation would be carried out, one Hongkong official was quoted by the Hongkong News as saying that "ropatriations" would continue to be carried out through the three months of August, September and October. Chinese sources havo repeatedly reported these repatriations as "mass murders" stating that the shipping accommodation supplied was totally inadoquate, and the "repatriates" were taken out to sea in small boats, many of which subsequently sank with great loss of life.
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6. Increase in Number of Suicides: Five suicides and attempted
suicidos were reported in the Hongkong News for the first half of July, in the issues of July 6th, 7th and 11th. Comment: "Desperation due to poverty and want" were given as the reasons for the suicides, but the fact that the majority were attempted by leaping from balconies of tea-houses after partaking of generous refreshments, as well as one suicide from a ferry, indicates that the individuals forced to those straits were not of the 'beggar' class, but people formerly in good circumstances.
ECONOMIC.
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Hongkong Banks Raise Interest Rates: The Hongkong branches of the Yokohama Specie Bank and Bank of Taiwan have jointly decided to raise the interest rates in deposits, effective from October 1st. The interest rates on fixed deposits will be raised from 2.5% to 3% per annum, and on special current deposits from 0.3% to 0.5% per annum. Existing rates have been in force since February 20th 1943. (Domei in English, September 30th).
8. Fishermen's Guild Formed: The Hongkong Government-Goneral has
formed a Federation of Fishermen' Guild, the aims of which are as follows: First, unitary control and guidance of junk fishers; secondly, elimination of exploitation by fish brokers; thirdly, supplying and rationing of necessary materials to members; fourthly, strengthening of storage equipment; fifthly, experiments and guidance in producing by-products of fish; sixthly, financial aid to members; seventhly, promotion of mutual benefits and aid to members. (Domei in English, October 2nd).
9. Prices of Foodstuffs in Hongkong: The Hongkong News published
the official prices per catty of foodstuffs in Hongkong on July 11th as follows:- Pork, 16.45- Y7.40; Lard, Y6.90; Beef, Y4.00-Y5.60; Chicken, Y7.47-Y13.76; Gouso, Y8.47; Duck, Y5.87; Pigeon, Y5.05; Chicken eggs, Y0.47 each, Duck oggs, 10.69 each, Salted eggs Y0.58 each, and Leghorn eggs, Y0.75 each; Fish, Y1.60-Y5.40; White Cabbage, Y1.20; Lettuce, Y0.96; Spinach, Y0.56; Bean Sprouts, Y0.66; Sweet Potatoes, YO.73 to YO.90; Potatoes, Y2.04; Cucumber, Y0.92; Carrots, Y0.50; Beans, Y2.04; Tomatoes, Y2.16; Pouches, Y1.26; Oranges, Y3.12, Bananas, YO.84-Y1.20; Water Melon, Y1.08. On July 15th Chicken had gone up in price to Y15.
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