CO129-504-18 Food supply for the civilian population in event of war 7-4-1927 - 12-12-1927 — Page 13

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done in the 1925 emergency, though they were actually not required.

8.

Flour will be dealt with later, but of the stocks which are generally ample it might be found necessary to set aside a small portion sufficient as a reserve for the

non-Chinese population.

9. Tinned foods and condiments are generally ample as the local wholesalers normally supply the neighbouring ports in China. It does not seem necessary to make any advance in this matter; but on war becoming imminent it would be desirable to take an immediate census of stocks (by art- icles) in godowns and the larger shops in order that a decision might be arrived at as to the necessity of Government interference by rationing or otherwise.

10. As regards the distribution of food stuffs to non- Chinese, this would follow the normal course unless a

hostile population is assumed. In the latter case the situa-

tion would be identical with that in 1925 when nine food

depots were manned by Europeans in convenient localities and the food conveyed in lorries driven by Europeans. This

offers no difficulties in view of the small area of the

Colony.

11. As regards the Chinese population we are instructed to work on the basis of an estimated population of 500,000.

The main item in the Chinese diet is rice and this is

generally very plentiful in view of the transhipment trade of the port. With a population of half a million the daily

consumption would be about 3,000 bags in normal times. At

the beginning of the 1925 emergency there were at least

350,000 bags in godowns besides very large stocks in retail shops and hoarded privately. It would seem desirable to ask

the