18 -
November 1st and is at present limited to United Kingdom, Canada, China and Macao.
114.
Air Mails are despatched by R.A.F. aircraft to London and Calcutta three times weekly; to Kunming twice weekly and to Sydney, Leyte, Singapore and Shanghai once a week. Negotiations are in progress for the despatch of air mails to Canton, Chungking and Shanghai by China National Airways. The arrival of air mails from all
British Postal Orders
parts is at present irregular. were placed on sale on 19th November.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
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115.
Considerable assistance has been given to Cable & Wireless in re-establishing the commercial radio- telegraph services which are at present operated with temporary equipment in temporary premises. The cable instrument room is installed in the G.P.O. Building. Equipment has been delivered to the Cape D'Aigular site where work will commence shortly.
116.
No cables are at present in operation, but the radio-telegraph services are able to provide communications on as wide a field as existed prior to the Pacific War. Rates are at the pre-war level and the quality of the present services gives no cause for dissatisfaction.
BROADCASTING.
117.
Broadcasting was resumed in Hong Kong on September 1st and at the present time two transmissions on medium wave are in operation in English and Chinese and one transmission on short wave. Most of the studios and prewar stock of records were found intact and it is now possible to provide a broadcasting service at a reasonable level of entertainment value. Three news bulletins in English are broadcast daily.
118.
The number of sets in operation is at present unknown but it must be small. The probability is that the European programme is chiefly listened to by members of the Services.
119.
Considerable importance attaches to the Chinese broadcasts which form the main channel by which the Chinese can be reached. Four news bulletins in Mandarin and Cantonese are broadcast daily.
120.
The condition of the Short Wave Transmitter is poor and until a new one of not less than ten kilowatts is in operation, it is unlikely that this programme will be able to resume its former position as the chief British shortwave station operating in this part of the world. The value of this service to shipping, air movements, cultural relations with China, propaganda and entertainment should not be under-estimated.
PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS.
121.
Both the English and Chinese press have been most co-operative. Articles and notices relating to the policy of the Administration have been issued daily by the Public Relati ons Officer and guidance has been given on the general line to be taken with regard to news.
121
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