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are paying for their rations. A system of tickets for
meals on repayment, has been inaugurated.
Preparations are being made to provide cheap meals
to Chinese employees of the Administration and of Essential
Services. It is hoped that, early in December, it will
be possible to serve about 2,000 Chinese meals a day in a
restaurant which is easily accessible to the majority of
the Chinese employees.
TRANSPORT.
77.
3.
Shortage of personnel in Supplies, Transport and
Industry Branch, coupled with pressure work in obtaining
supplies, rendered it necessary for the control of Land
Transport to be handed over to General Admin 3ranch.
Lack of transport has been, and remains acute, in the
absence of the M.T. Company for Civil Affairs. The
civilian vehicles recaptured from the Japanese, were in
most cases damaged or derelict, but by intensive work in
three temporary workshops, manned by Chinese mechanics,
79 damaged vehicles have been put on the road since
1 Oct.
The shortage of load carriers, has to some extent,
been offset by a loan of vehicles from the R.A.F., but
the number available remains inadequate. Moreover, some
of the R.A.F. vehicles may shortly have to be returned,
for use in the construction of the new landing ground.
The arrival of C.A.S. M.T. Coy. will mitigate the shortage
of load carriers, but the lack of cars and light utilities
will remain. Provision of these is an urgent necessity,
for it is most desirable to return the civilian cars,
at present in use, to their owners, or to allot them to
civilian firms, which are restarting their businesses.