M 27
144. Acknowledgment is due to the Superintendent of the Botanical and Forestry Department for the following notes on the present agricultural policy of the Colony which, of course, has a distinct bearing upon the problem of nutrition:-
"The present agricultural policy is somewhat difficult to define as the point of view must be taken into consideration. The bodies chiefly concerned are (i) the local agricultural population, and (ii) such bodies as are interested in the matter. The latter may be considered to be (a) Government, (b) the Agricultural Association of the New Territories, and (c) a few wealthy Chinese.
In regard to (i), their policy is to produce sufficient crops to provide them with a living and as an adjunct they are considerably interested in the rearing of pigs. The main crop is rice and practically all other crops are subordinated to its production. Subsidiary crops produced on a reasonable scale are sweet potatoes, ground nuts, sugar cane and vegetables (Chinese and foreign). Other crops produced on a very limited scale are jute, taro, tapioca and ginger. Fruits are poorly represented, consisting chiefly of pineapple and litchi, while oranges, papayas and bananas are occasionally met with.
In respect to (ii), the various bodies mentioned are proceeding along the following lines:-(a) Government has a general interest in the matter and is obtaining accurate information in regard to the subject generally with a view to assessing possibilities for development; (b) the Agricultural Association of the New Territories is chiefly concerned with vegetable (foreign) trials with a view to seed distribution of useful varieties; (c) wealthy Chinese are trying out various things.
In general, cultivation is confined to level areas and the crops produced are few in number. The present general policy is, to endeavour to enlarge the agricultural outlook of the peasant population with subsequent profit to themselves and increased production for local supply purposes.
Possibilities.
The possibilities may be summed up as follows: (i) increase in area, (ii) increase in crop production, (iii) increase in number and quality of crops. In respect to (i), increase in area is possible by utilisation of slopes and carrying out certain reclamations. In regard to (ii), increase in crop production is dependent upon some change in local practices and the introduction of up to date methods in regard to use of soil, manuring, etc. With regard to (iii), this can only be achieved by an organisation working along approved lines.
In general, there is scope for some considerable development which should result in increased production of present crops and the cultivation of additional crops in which fruits should play a larger part."
145. The most important Government slaughter house is at Kennedy Town on the Island. Smaller ones are situated at Aberdeen and Sai Wan Ho on the Island and at Ma Tau Kok on the mainland.
146. Humane slaughtering is not yet employed as extensively as it should be. The following animals were killed at the abattoirs in 1938: cattle 78,277, sheep and goats 15,657, and swine 510,297.
147. The slaughter houses are under the control of the Veterinary Branch of the Sanitary Department.
148. The wage level of the labouring classes in Hong Kong is so low that serious malnutrition is frequently met with,
M 27
144. Acknowledgment is due to the Superintendent of the Botanical and Forestry Department for the following notes on the present agricultural policy of the Colony which, of course, has a distinct bearing upon the problem of nutrition:-
"The present agricultural policy is somewhat difficult to define as the point of view must be taken into consideration. The bodies chiefly concerned are (i) the local agricultural population, and (ii) such bodies as are interested in the matter. The latter may be considered to be (a) Government, (b) the Agricultural Association of the New Territories, and (c) a few wealthy Chinese.
In regard to (i), their policy is to produce sufficient crops to provide them with a living and as an adjunct they are considerably interested in the rearing of pigs. The main crop is rice and practically all other crops are subordinated to its production. Subsidiary crops produced on a reasonable scale are sweet potatoes, ground nuts, sugar cane and vegetables (Chinese and foreign). Other crops produced on a very limited scale are jute, taro, tapioca and ginger. Fruits are poorly represented, consisting chiefly of pineapple and litchi, while oranges, papayas and bananas are occasionally met with.
In respect to (ii), the various bodies mentioned are proceeding along the following lines:-(a) Government has a general interest in the matter and is obtaining accurate information in regard to the subject generally with a view to assessing possibilities for development; (b) the Agricultural Association of the New Territories is chiefly concerned with vegetable (foreign) trials with a view to seed distribution of useful varieties; (c) wealthy Chinese are trying out various things.
In general, cultivation is confined to level areas and the crops produced are few in number. The present general policy is, to endeavour to enlarge the agricultural outlook of the peasant population with subsequent profit to themselves and increased production for local supply purposes.
Possibilities.
¿
The possibilities may be summed up as follows: (i) increase in area, (ii) increase in crop production, (iii) increase in number and quality of crops. In respect to (i), increase in area is possible by utilisation of slopes and carrying out certain reclamations. In regard to (ii), increase in crop production is dependent upon some change in local practices and the intro- duction of up to date methods in regard to use of soil, manuring, etc. With regard to (iii), this can only be achieved by an organisation working along approved lines.
In general, there is scope for some considerable development which should result in increased production of present crops and the cultivation of additional crops in which fruits should play a larger part."
145. The most important Government slaughter house is at Kennedy Town on the Island. Smaller ones are situated at Aberdeen and Sai Wan Ho on the Island and at Ma Tau Kok on the mainland.
146. Humane slaughtering is not yet employed as extensively as it should be. The following animals were killed at the abattoirs in 1938: cattle 78,277, sheep and goats 15,657, and swine 510,297.
147. The slaughter houses are under the control of the Veterinary Branch of the Sanitary Department.
148. The wage level of the labouring classes in Hong Kong is so low that serious malnutrition is frequently met with,
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