CO129-629-11 Manufacture of shirts 1-1-1950 - 30-11-1950 — Page 86

(a) Allow inspection by Co mittee at any stage of

($}

Manufacture.

87

Give close end immediate attention to H.. Custome requirements on Imperial Preference.

(r) Have the support of own industri 1 association.

Local merchants #111 buy from factories appearing on thể

accredited list only.

8.

There are over 190 labour Uniēna fuetioning in Hong Kong

and most wagen show a six to eightfold increase over prem ar years.

Hong Kong no longer enjoys the benefits of "cheap" labour, although

production corts are still below those ruling in the United Kingdom.

There are 395 registered textile factories in Hồng Kông

producing all types of textiles, including these shirts, and

employing a labour force of between 18 and 20 thous" people.

The Commissioner of Labour supervises the implemente ti on

of the Hong Kong factory and labour legislation, and Hon;: Kong

workers are the highest paid in the Far East.

9.

10. The trade figures for 1949 when published will show Hong

Kong sports from the thited Kingiom at approximately £25 million,

of which 68 milling ranrerende British textiles. Heng Kong's

28

exports to the United Kingdom for the same period will be in the

region of £9 million sterling and will cover montly oils and

produce.

Since it was not possible to import Hong Kong textiles

until the latter part of 1949, the Hong Kong exports to the United

Kingdom will show only a few thousand pounds worth of Hong Kong

textiles as having been marketed in this country.

Hong Kong's total world trade in 1948 antunted to 2288

million sterling, and the 1949 figure is expected to be in excess

of £300 million sterling. With there figures in mind, such

reciprocal trading se demonstrated by the shirt imports, appears

justified and the United Kingʻlom, particularly the textile industry,

∙ill obviously continue to enjoy a very heavy balance of trade

in her favour.

30.1.50.

5.0.A. Grin ond.

cond.