CO129-591-4 Situation in enemy occupied Hong Kong 7-1-1944 - 21-11-1944 — Page 63

63

F.I.R. Nos. 6 & 7.

12 -

Conscription did not apply in Hongkong. Permits for moving goods were not necessary; only detailed reports were required by the Inport Department. Permits were not necessary for the movement of goods within the city unless the articles were of 'public interest. Permits were necessary to open business. Arrangerents had been made to deal with the firewood shortage; the position had become easier since the Canton-Kowloon Railway was now in Japanese hands. Hongkong in Cantonese, Deceriber 23rd on 850 kcs.)

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14. Director of Commerce in Hongkong Answers Questions Regarding

Trade Problems: On December 27th, the Director of Commerce

answered questions put by pressien regarding trade problers. The following answers were given:- (1) Permits for imported goods are unnecessary unless in the use of goods from Kwangchowan and Macao. (2) The proper procedure is to report to the authorities within five days of the unloading of the goods; if stocks are being increased, permits are necessary. (3) Rice merchants wishing to sell stocks to the Government must report to the Govern- Lent departient which will pay as high a price as possible to encourage rice merchants. It has been arranged that one rice company shall negotiate with the. merchants. (4) The Goverment is uneble to pay certain debts with various business firms, but arrange- rents are being made to clear up the hinderances so that they will most probably be paid at the beginning of next year. (5) For popular convenience, the Government has arranged that special banks will deal with the proper tax payments. (6) The proper procedure for imports is an application for a 'Merchandise inport permit' and an application for a 'Price-quoting permit'. (7) The procedure for exports is to apply for a 'Merchandise export permit' and to register the order under which the goods are being exported. Where there is no order, special permission is required. (8) As in the case of Kwangchowan and Macão, when goods imported under one order cannot be transported in one consignment, a special 'Extension remit for imports' will be arranged for merchants. The quantity received must correspond with that in the original permit. Should this not be the case, the matter must be reported in order to secure another kind of pernit. (9) Under Article 5, Section 22 of the Hongkong Government rules for business licences, fims possessing

Opening Licences' may not import or export unless additional licences for these functions were obtained when opening the shop. All three licences are desirable when starting business. (Hongkong in Cantonese, December 27th on 850 kcs.)

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL.

15.

Japanese Race Horses arrive in Hongkong: Eighteen Japanese

race horses recently (Hongkong in Cantonese,

arrived in Ingkong. After training, they will be raced against the Australian horses now in Hongkong. December 5th, 1130 GMT, 31.68 m.

PIM.