}
184
from overseas sources. One large importation of over 5,000 cases of branded smoking tobacco arrived as Civil Affairs cargo from Great Britain in November but unfortunately there is practically no demand for this type of tobacco from the native population which pays over 90 percent of the total tobacco duty. The general revenue outlook, however, is good as regards Liquor and Tobacco the Chinese are coming back to Hong Kong in a steady stream and they appear to have money to spend on these luxuries. Another source of revenue from Liquor and
Tobacco is the issue of Licences for the several forms of trade in
these commodities. Licences are issued for twelve months from the
date of issue and the revenue to date from this source is
Liquor.
Tobacco.
(b) Trade Control.
.$136,719.13
.$75,668.57
The export of certain goods from
Hong Kong was prohibited by proclamation in Sept. These goods were:-
(1) Printing Materials:
Newsprint, printing paper of all kinds,
printingink, roller composition, brass matrices type metal, types, and all printing materials, including chemicals used in process work.
(ii) Foodstuffs:
Rice, Peanut Oil, Beans, Sugar and Salt. (iii) Cotton Yarns:
All Kinds.
On November 5th Motor Accessories, Parts and Tyres of all kinds were added to the list. The goods enumerated above were urgently required for Hong Kong itself and any exports tended to force up local prices. Recently however peanut oil, flour, salt, slab sugar and white sugar have been imported from adjacent areas of China and as a result prices. of these commodities have fallen considerably. Motor Accessories and Parts were added as it was found that motor cars were being dismantled in Hong Kong and the parts exported to adjacent areas where owing to the prevailing shortage they fetched fantastic prices.
The prohibition of the export of goods plus the collection of revenue from Liquor and Tobacco led to the reestablishment of water front preventive patrols. These have done excellent work considering the difficulties under which they are working and they have stopped many attempts to export salt, flour, rice, paper, motor parts and cotton yarn. In two cases where large scale deliberate attempts were made to export (a) cotton yarn & (b) special printing paper described as other goods the exporting firms, were prosecuted and fined by the Military Courts.
*
(c) Trade Statistics.
The Statistical Branch of the Department reopened on November 1st and trade figures will be ready at an early date. Owing to the fact that goods sponsored by Government are not included the returns will not present a true picture of goods