TNAG-0011-FCO40-47-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 4

REGISTRATION COPY ON T.S. AnMEX.

SECRET

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)

248A

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63

Cypher

D. 16 June 1967 R. 16

1?

04502

IMMEDIATE

SECRET

No.851

My telegram No.641.

Paragraph 8.

*Z JUN 1767

HUD 1/17

(773) on T.S. Amiex

DACO

(A) Rice

The basic facts are as follows.

Present consumption is 30,000 tons a month. Existing stocks are in excess of 93,000 tons. In the event of difficulties in supply demand would increase and these stocks would represent something like two months supply. At present 30 per cent of imports come from China and 60 per cent from Thailand. Local supplies account for less than 5 per cent of total consumption. In view of world market conditions alternative sources would be difficult to find.

(B) Meat

5,000 head of swine (85 per cent come from China), 500 head of bovine cattle (65 per cent come from China) are consumed each day. Local farmers' stocks represent one month's normal supply. The stocks of frozen meat (2,700 tons) also represent one month's normal consumption. But as in the case of rice, we would expect demand to increase rapidly in time of difficulty. Alternative sources exist in Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Taiwan.

(c) Marine Fish

5,500 tons of the monthly consumption of 6,400 tons is landed by the local fishing fleet but only a small proportion of this is caught in colony waters. Much is caught in Chinese waters and the supply could therefore be interdicted. Over half of the imported fish comes from China. Alternative supplies might be arranged through diversion of Japanese or Thai deep sea fishing vessels.

(D) Vegetables

60 per cent of the consumption of 29,000 tons a month comes from China and the remainder from local sources. Alternative sources could be found in Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand but prices would be high.

(E)

Edible Oils

About 80 per cent of 2,680 tons consumed each month comes from China. The stocks by the end of last month were down to 271 tons. Alternative sources can be found in the Far East.

SECRET

/(F)