50.4
INTRODUCTION. -cont'd.
Also favouring the medical authorities is the fact that this is not the worse season for the spread of infectious disease. Cholera occurs mainly during the hot weather, when other bowel diseases are prevalent. On the other hand smallpox can be expected now. Plague has fortunately been absent from the Colony since the first decade of the century but, with the sociological and epidemi- ological upheaval brought about in recent years, it is not safe to rely on such immunity continuing, either from plague or other zymotic diseases not formerly prevalent in Hong Kong.
Conditions in the Colony today are materially
Many buildings
different from those found on re-entry. have been destroyed but fortunately this destruction is confined to certain areas, especially dock areas. Never- theless buildings have deteriorated very greatly and there has been extensive looting. Civilian transport is limited in amount and character but the chinese, with their native ingenuity, have devised many ways of replacing lost transport. A favourite form of conveyance is a kind of truck mounted on a tricycle pedalled from behind and ordinary bicycles, with a cushion on the pillion seat behind for the passenger, are much in vogue.
Many emergency measures were put in hand at once on re-entry, and even before that, when the "Stanley" Government functioned. Kitchens were set up, from which free rations were issued. Inspection of housing accommoda- tion in urban areas was rapidly re-introduced and supplies of food were brought in. Tree postage was also introduced; letters could be dropped in any postbox for delivery without a stamp. An emergency Medical Roard, including members of all the Services and the D.D.M.S., Civil Affairs, was created to deal with the situation and many other ad hoc measures were instituted. Liaison with the Services has all along been admirable.
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The process of rebirth of the Colony referred to earlier is thus progressing rapidly and even in the short period I have been in Hong Kong much change is evident. The Chinese with their amazing industry, ingenuity, self-reliance and patience are working hard to re-establish things. With improved conditions of feeding and dropping prices their capacity for work has grown and they have received ample guidance and direction from the various technical members of the Civil Affairs establishment. Although there is no record of figures, immigration is proceeding apace and some areas of Victoria are already overcrowded. This ingress is not confined to coolie population; clerks and their families are increasingly returning from Macao, and from what was formerly known as Free China. The immediate question is whether the capacity of industry and possibilities for employment generally can meet the access of persons clamouring for work. A similar question arises in regard to housing accommodation. The Royal Navy are arriving immediately in Hong Kong to establish their headquarters here and this will throw a further strain on available accommodation.
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