0003160 G.F. 316
}
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(a)
the determined opposition of local communists who would do their utmost to upset any scheme, and
(b)
additional hostile measures which China might take.
Moreover control of some 3,000 rice retailers would be impractical and undesirable in normal circumstances. The committee referred to above is examining the need for rationing of this and other basic foods.
Meat.
10.
Live Cattle. There is a daily consumption of over 500 head of cattle, 65% of which comes from China. Other sources of cattle in 1966 were Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia which provided respectively 17%, 13% and 6% of the total imports. No cattle are raised specifically for meat production locally but some 3,000 culls from dairy herds and draught animals were slaughtered for meat during 1966. In January 1967 local farmers' stocks included 3,300 dairy cattle kept for milk production, 13, 200 yellow cattle and 1,500 buffaloes kept for draught purposes. In an emergency it would be possible to slaughter some 6,000 to 7,000 yellow cattle and buffaloes while still retaining a nucleus breeding stock. This could however affect crop production, as ploughing would be curtailed, and could only be considered in dire emergency.
Australia, Formosa, South Korea and South Vietnam are being considered as alternative sources of supply. Limiting factors in increasing supplies from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia are availability of port facilities and shipping and difficulties in mustering shipments in these countries.
11.
Live Pigs.
There is a daily consumption of over five thousand head of pigs, some 87% of which comes from China and 11.5% is produced locally, the small balance coming from other sources such as Thailand, North Vietnam and Indonesia. In January 1967 local farmers held stocks of some 266,000 head of which 30,000 were breeding stock. In an emergency there would therefore be some 200,000 pigs available locally for slaughter. Alternative sources of supply worthy of consideration are Formosa, South Vietnam, South Korea and the Philippines. Increase in supplies from present sources other than China and from proposed alternative sources would be subject to the same limiting factors as for cattle.
12.
Frozen Meat, There were some 2,668 tons of frozen meat in stock on 31st May. This represents one month's normal consumption but if alternative fresh meat supplies were not available the off-take would be expected to increase substantially, unless rationed. The two main power stations are vulnerable to subversive attack despite protective security measures and if electric power stopped this frozen meat would start to go bad after about three days. The total cold storage capacity in the Colony is 5 million cubic feet of which four fifths is on Hong Kong island. About 700,000 cubic feet of this total is under Communist control and much of the frozen meat stock comes from China and is owned by Chinese agents
13.
Tinned Meat. Commercial stocks of tinned meat, preserved meat, and tinned fish in godowns on 31st May amounted to 179 tons. Stocks in retail stores and in houses would only last a few days if fresh meat supplies stopped. More tinned food is being eaten by Chinese but there is still a good deal of prejudice against it.
Marine Fish,
14.
Average monthly consumption is some 6, 400 tons of which some
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/5,500
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