62
F.I.R. Nos. 6 & 7.
11
ECONOMIC.
7.
Hongkong Finence Department Announcement Concerning Rendering of Business Accounts: The Finance Department of
Hongkong announced that all business concerns had to render their accounts to the authorities before the end of the year. They were to be under three headings: Moveable and Innoveable Properties, Assets and Liabilities, and Balance, in order that the Government auditing department could assess the amount of surplus and other taxes due. No taxes are due on amounts under 5,000 yen annually in the Profit and Loss Account. (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 21st, on 850 kes.)
8. AW Bogn How Organizes Rice Transport Company in Honkong: On the
28th of November, Aw Boon Haw allotted 500,000 dollars for the organization of a company for transporting rice and other foodstuffs for the people of Hongkong. The Government of Hongkong is also sharing in this concern in conjunction with its own plan for importing food- stuffs. The company will import foodstuffs from nearby localities, and from Indochina, Burma and Thailand. Shipping companies in Shanghai, Swatow, and Aroy will be invited to join in the trans- portation of foodstuffs as at least twenty vessels will be needed. The vessels will fly the Red Cross and Chinese flags. (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 5th, 1130 GMT, 31.68 m.) See F.I.R. Hongkong, No.2, para 1.
9.
Repatriates to Return Ration Cards: Those wishing to return
to their villages must hand over their ration cards to the authorities otherwise permits will not be granted. (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 28th on 850 kcs.)
10. White Rice to be Issued: As from December 30th, white rice
will be issued to the public instead (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 28th on
of that issued hitherto. 850 kcs.)
11.
Census of Hawkers in Hongkong: On December 25th and 26th a census was taken of hawkers in Hongkong and the Leased Territories. According to the Hawkers' Association it was quite satisfactory, but it was necessary to prolong the census for another eight days in order to include every hawker. (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 26th on 850 kcs.)
12.
Progress of Construction in Hongkong: Lieut.-General Isogai,
Governor-General of Hongkong, reporting on the progress of construction in Hongkong during the past two years, declared that all the key industries including shipbuilding, were contributing greatly to Japan's fight- ing strength. He stated that a number of trade promotion measures would be launched in 1944. (Dorei in English, December 21st).
13.
Government Official on Conditions in Hongkong: In answer to
questions put by reporters, a high Hongkong Government official stated that as the Hongkong generating station had been cut of order, the electric supply had been suspended for quite a long time. It was however being repaired and would be in operation within the next few days.