For Ith Anchlüs
فر
Ęredored in letter from Mr GEttacter (P. (D., F.0) does 30/12/42
Nachrichten für den Aussenhandel.
(Reed 50744/7/42)
24th November,1942.
159 21
Large reduction in the population of Hongkong. Despatch from langhai.
The chief task of the Japanese authorities in Hongkong is to secure adequate food supplies. This can only be done in one of three ways :- (1) by reducing the population; (2) by bringing in food from outside; and (3) by restoring local industries.
Before Pearl Harbour the population was 1.8 million, many Chinese having left since the outbreak of the China war. Prices have been rising with the increase of population from an index number of 100 in 1936, to 216 in the second half of 1941: Chinese living costs rising from $1.14 to $2.83 weekly. According to a Japanese census in September the population is now only 980 thousand, and the Japanese authorities are trying to bring it down to about 700 thousand.
Hong Kong's food came from outside to the extent of about 60 per cent. At present all dock workers are given 600 grs. of rice daily. All available junks are used for carrying rice from Indo-China, etc. A barter arrangement has been made with Canton food-stuffs against manufactured goods, and a similar one is to be made with the Philippines, Formosa and Central China. The Japanese are particularly anxious to increase Hong Kong's exports. The fishing industry helps in this, as Hong Kong possesses first- rate refrigerating plant
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