Dec. Jan. Feb.
March
Food Problems.
March.
91
3. All shops were closed and tightly barred.
Many put a small quantity of goods out for sale in a basket. Streets were lined with hawkers. Tinned food in great demand, Prices rose daily, sometimes as much as 100% overnight.
Ex.
The Japanese ordered all shops to reopen. By the 15th, the big Chinese shops (Sincere, Wing On etc.,) had resumed business. As soon as they opened again, prices of all commodities went sky-high. The big shops used Military Yen. The usual thing was for these shops to double the previous prices and then ask for Military Yen (One Yen Two Hongkong Dollars). Most shops preferred to keep their goods, to selling them. Result: severe shortage of daily essentials. (There are really huge supplies of necessities. Hoarders make the existing condition worst.).
=
•
Food was expensive and hard to get. In theory, every Chinese Family had a rice ticket, which would enable him to get rice at Forty Cents per Catty.
In some districts the rice ticket allowed each person half a catty of rice daily. To get that quantity a member of the family had to queue up and wait anything between four to nine hour's every day. Only one day's supply is handed out each time.
-
In parts of Kowloon, each family, regardless of number, is allowed one catty of rice each day.
They
Many people eat Congee twice a day. cannot afford rice. (Black Market rice was between Two to Three Dollars a catty) The prices of tinned food were beyond the reach of many people. Meat was a luxury. Price (Approx.) Before the Fall Pork (One catty) $1.60
Price After the Fall Mar. $12.00
Beef
t
1.30
Coffee (1 lb.)
1.50
Tomatoes
tt
.25
Soya Beans
.40
Rice (7 lbs. Sugar (1 lb.
•
'1.00 20
9.00
18.00
.75
1.80
(1 lb.) 2.00 - 3.00
2.40
The Indian Population
The Portuguese Population
The Japanese are trying to win over the local Indians.
Ex. They get special privileges. From the first week in Feb. each Indian family received free Seven Pounds of flour, some salt and oil weekly.
They could always buy rice and fire-wood at the lowest rates. They did not have to queue up like the Chinese. They received their supplies at the Mosque. They called at any time and received a week's supply. Indian guards search pedestrians. cases the authority given them seems to have turned their heads.
In many
The Government of Macau invited all those who
There was a wished to, to return to Macau. rumour that all Portuguese people would be
given/
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.