CO129-592-6 Reports on current situation- including weekly intelligence reports 18-9-1945 - 20-12-1945 — Page 147

12

INWARD TELEGRAM

This document must be paraphrased if the communication of its contents to any person outside Government Service is authorised.

COPY

Cypher

FOR REGISTRATION

FROM COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, HONG KONG

146

TO COLONIAL OFFICE.

D. 25th October, 1945, R. 27th

ff

16.30 hrs. (Via War Office)

IMPORTANT

218 cipher 25th October

Affairs.

RESTRICTED.

For Civil Affairs and Colonial Office from Civil

?

Part one my 250722 4. Following is appreciation of present situation.

Paragraph one. · Banks opened local current account business Catober 17th. At present receiving deposits totalling about 500,000 dollars per day.

Paragraph two, Supply bank notes running low but additional consignment expected soon, Cross rate Chinese national dollars with Hong Kong developing slowly in our favour, Present rate Hong Kong dollars 97 equal CN dollars 10,000.

Paragraph three, Cross rate US dollars in local free market of H.K. dollars 7.6 equal 1 U.S. dollar probably indicates caution rather than lack of confidence by local Chinese,

Paragraph four,

Prices continue very gradual downward trend but lag in arrival supplies taxes to limit administrations powers of improvisation, Two months after reoccupation Hong Kong has received by way of supplies only 6000 tons of rice and from Navy 4000 tons of coal.

Paragraph five.

Canton beginning serious

agitation for removal of immigration restrictions and negotiations are contemplated.

Paragraph six..