CO129-611-3 Weekly summaries of press reports and comments 24-12-1946 - 27-9-1947 — Page 55

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PRO/879/3.

Comments on Colonial Matters.

(a) Though the price of rice in Hong Kong remains fairly firm, other foodstuffs show a fall in price. (Kung Sheung Daily Press, 28/4).

b) "Wah Kiu Yat Po" of 28/4 sees in the enforcement of the exchange control regulations a means of keeping up prices of imported American goods, and approves thoroughly. The evasion of the control by using Macao is regarded as right and natural.

(0)

"New Life Evening News" of 29/4 asks for more lenient treatment of the hawkers in Hong Kong.

(a) "Wah Kiu Yat Po" of 1/5 commenting on the anniversary of the return to Civil Administration in Hong Kong takes a depressed view of industry which lacks materials, inhabitants who do not qualify for ration cards, "Income Tax" destitutes and says "times are bad; poverty is abroad."

(e) Cost of living in Hong Kong is now five times what it was in 1938. (Kung Sheung Daily Press, 28/4).

4.

Comments on International Matters.

(a) The allocation of considerable space to International Affairs in the Local Chinese Press is maintained. A B.O.A.C. aircraft, forced down at Hainan by weather was detained until permission was obtained from Nanking for refuelling and release.

(Sing Tao Jih Pao, 28/4).

(b) The matter of the two Peace Preservation Corps men gaoled for piracy in Hong Kong continues to receive considerable publicity, and tends to become of international importance.

(Sing Tao Jih Pao, 29/4).

(c)

"Sing Pao" of 30/4 urges China to prevent Japan regaining aggressive power. It shows how U.S.A. is building up Japan as a bulwark against Russia.

(a) "Sing Pao" of 30/4 devotes considerable space to a discussion of the Moscow Conference and hopes that before the next meeting in August "all clouds will be cleared from the sky" assuming U.S.A. does not provoke war with Russia in the meantime.

(0)

Further stores, presumably naval, are being sent by China to the Paracels. (Wah Kiu Yat Po, 30/4). The question of sovereignty is to discussed between China and French Govern- ment. (Tai Kwong Pao, Canton, 3/5).