TNAG-0609-FCO40-757-Local-Intelligence-Committee-assessment-of-political-situati-1977 — Page 26

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RS 450

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT/A

FM HONG KONG 040936Z

SECRET

SECRET

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY NO. 51 15 APR 1977

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TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NO 354 OF 4 APRIL INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, CANBERRA, SINGAPORE INFO SAVING WELLINGTON.

14 M Put A will no

seading UNDET Different quidé

PLEASE PASS TO CABINET OFFICE FOR SECRETARY JI C.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE L I C ASSESSMENT FOR MARCH 1977.

ECONOMY AND LABOUR

高

5/4

C

A DECREASE IN THE IMPORTATION OF FOOD-STUFFS FROM CHINA SINCE FEBRUARY IS ATTRIBUTED PARTLY TO A TEMPORARY RELAXATION OF RATIONING CONTROLS IN CHINA OVER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AND PARTLY TO FOOD SHORTAGES IN SOME AREAS OF CHINA TO WHICH THE EXTENDED DROUGHT IN CHINA IS THOUGHT TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED.

2. THE LABOUR SITUATION REMAINS QUIET.

RATES

3. FOREMOST AMONG PROTESTORS AGAINST THE REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE

VALUES IS THE JOINT ASSOCIATIONS' ACTION COMMITTEE WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNIST INFLUENCED CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION. ALTHOUGH OBJECTIONS CONTINUE TO BE RAISED, MAINLY THROUGH THE MEDIA, THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF A GRADUAL SUBSIDENCE OF PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE.

SECRET

CHINESE