CO537-(1262-1649) — Page 393

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CIPHER TELEGRAM

18511

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments, or Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased. (Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased.)

REC

33

22F!

090580

Read:- 200320 Feb 46; (

From: C. in C. Hong Kong.

D.T.0. 1904140

To: The War Office; Info

C, in C, India,

SACSEA

ALF SEA

HQ. British Troops China,

2

cms

Ref.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

CO 537/1402

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

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IMMEDIATE

CA. 2121 Cipher 19 Feb SECRET.

For Civil Affairs and Colonial Office.

(One) General Strike which at one time seemed possible has been

avoided at least for time being, (?Administration) sponsored negotiations

between Employers and .mployees which proved successful,

(Two) Labour situation generally appears less tense.

(Three) Times report of January 31 referring to surfeit of food

and commodities in Hong Kong has been read (?only) with bitter amusement..

(Four) Rice ration cut to eight ounces last week in face of

dwindling supplies and prospectsi

(Five) Prices of essential commodities again beginning to show

very slight downward trend but shortage of oils and fats kerosene

firewood and meat keeps basic living costs high.

(six) Value of imports and exports handled by Port in January

excluding all official supplies totalled 71 million Hong Kong dollars

of which about two thirds imports.

(Seven) Increasing clamour from all Sections of community for

clarification Debtor-Creditor relationships and decision on duress notes,

(Eight) First batch Quislings pears before the courts today,

Note by C. 6. Tels.

Advance copy passed Colonial. Office,

/Distributirn.

1

cms

Ref.:

CO 537/1402

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

2

Ins

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright leaflet.

Ins

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