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Applications for import licences are however being received with promising regularity, and it is interest- ing to note that in many cases they confirm the fact that Chinese merchants appear to have U.S. dollar balances available in America to finance orders.
84.
The export of printing materials, foodstuffs, all kinds of cotton yam and motor accessories was pro- hibited by Proclamation during the months under review. The prohibition of the export of these commodities, in addition to the collection of revenue from liquor and tobacco led to the re-establishment of water front preventative patrols which are now in operation in spite of the staffing difficulties which are characteristic of every branch of the Administration.
85.
The Statistical Branch of the Imports & Exports Department opened on 1st November and trade figures will shortly be ready, although it is unlikely that this first return will present a true picture, since imports sponsored by the Administration are not included in the return, and since a large quantity of fresh food products are brought into the New Territories and Hong Kong in minor forms of transport which are not amenable to registration.
86.
Much the same conditions cover the export trade, as yet of insignificant amount, largely comprising at the present time the export of goods which are mainly China products imported into Hong Kong for re-export elsewhere.
87.
A system of import licences for most manu- factured goods and raw materials was put into force on November 26th in accordance with instructions received from London. Certain essential goods and foodstuffs from sterling areas will be outside this system. Goods from gold currency areas require a special import licence.
88.
A large barter trade is reported in goods which are strictly China products and are exported to America and elsewhere, not against currency but in ex- change for American or other manufactured goods.
LABOUR.
89.
There is a shortage of both skilled and unskilled labour due to voluntary and enforced evacuation of the Colony during the occupation and to a lesser degree to starvation and the effects of allied bombings.
90.
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The effects of four years of malnutrition are everywhere evident among such unskilled labour as remains. These facts, together with the abnormally high cost of all foodstuffs except rice, have been exploited to the full in the several demands for increased wage rates with which the Administration has had to deal. Since 25th September basic wage rates and allowances have been continually under review. Basic rates, comprising the 1941 rates plus 1941 High Cost of Living Allowances, were increased by a Rehabilitation Allowance computed on the difference in price of the five main items of the average household budget between the years 1941 and 1945. This scheme was satisfactory in its application to unskilled labour but there were repeated indications from several quarters that a more detailed grading scheme was required in the case.
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