CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946 — Page 125

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are paying for their rations. A system of tickets for

meals on repayment, has been inaugurated.

Preparations are being made to provide cheap meals

to Chinese employees of the Administration and of Essential

Services. It is hoped that, early in December, it will

be possible to serve about 2,000 Chinese meals a day in a

restaurant which is easily accessible to the majority of

the Chinese employees.

TRANSPORT.

77.

3.

Shortage of personnel in Supplies, Transport and

Industry Branch, coupled with pressure work in obtaining

supplies, rendered it necessary for the control of Land

Transport to be handed over to General Admin 3ranch.

Lack of transport has been, and remains acute, in the

absence of the M.T. Company for Civil Affairs. The

civilian vehicles recaptured from the Japanese, were in

most cases damaged or derelict, but by intensive work in

three temporary workshops, manned by Chinese mechanics,

79 damaged vehicles have been put on the road since

1 Oct.

The shortage of load carriers, has to some extent,

been offset by a loan of vehicles from the R.A.F., but

the number available remains inadequate. Moreover, some

of the R.A.F. vehicles may shortly have to be returned,

for use in the construction of the new landing ground.

The arrival of C.A.S. M.T. Coy. will mitigate the shortage

of load carriers, but the lack of cars and light utilities

will remain. Provision of these is an urgent necessity,

for it is most desirable to return the civilian cars,

at present in use, to their owners, or to allot them to

civilian firms, which are restarting their businesses.