1940-05-30 — Page 24

Thursday,

HONGKONG TE LEGRAPH.. May 30, 1940,

One-Third Of Hongkong's Infants Died Last Year Before Attaining Their First Birthday: Startling Disclosures In Nutrition Report

ONE OF COLONY'S

MALNUTRITION

GRAVEST PROBLEMS

THE REVELATION THAT ONE-THIRD OF ALL THE INFANTS BORN IN HONGKONG DURING 1939 DIED BEFORE ATTAINING THE AGE OF TWELVE MONTHS, AND THAT MALNUTRITION IS ONE OF THE GRAVEST PROBLEMS FACING THE COLONY WAS. MADE ́IN A REPORT ON NUTRITION BY DR. P. S. SELWYN-CLARKE, THE DIREC- TOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES, TABLED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

·

Hongkong's population in June last year was estimated at 1,750,000, giving a population density of nearly 4,500 persons to the square mile.

The birth and death rates for 1939, based on the above figure, were 26.7 and 27.6 respectively.

"The importance of the problem of nutrition in Hongkong cannot be stressed too greatly, Dr. Selwyn Clarke states in the Report.

"This applied particularly poorer sections of the population. O! at cheaper rates is quite beyond their in 1939, when the number of the total number of deaths registered powers,

In 1939, 3,180, or 0.8 per cent., were "In many cases-work is done by refugees brought the total attributed to beri-beri.

contractors and sub-contractors who "Interesting-il regrettable-fea-merely turn adrift labourers who full population somewhere in

tures of the high incidence of beri- sick. Judging from the number of the neighbourhood of two beri in the community is furnished human wrecks suffering from beri- and SO on, million at one time during by the large number of instances in beri, tuberculosis, which beri-beri develops in the encountered in the

there hospitals,

there is n the year, as compared with course of a relatively simple disease can be little doubt that a 'normal' population of such as malaria, and in women inge body of persons of this who suffer from malnutrition, not much more than half

The

refugee influx inlo this figure.

"The flooding of the labour market brought about unduly low wage rates; and this, com- bined with the high rents charg ed for cubicles or even bed spaces, had a serious effect on the general nutrition of the people.

per cent.

the lying-in period.

"The balance between a sufficierity

as

class

SAYS

D.M.S.

221, 202 Rats Caught

In Hongkong

Nearly half as many again the number of rals caught -in-Hongkong-last-year--were-captured in Kowloon during the

same period,

This is revealed in the annual report of the Chairman of the Urban Council, which states that 88,581 rats were caught in Hongkong and 132,621 in Kowloon.

Of these, none was found to be plague infected. Twenty-seven members of the cleaning staff were em- ployed during the year setting traps, birdlime boards and also collecting rats from street rat-bins, private premises, etc., and taking them to the publle mortuary” for examination.

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IF THEY

COME

THAT HONGKONG is alive to the strategic con-

and a marked insuffieiency of anti-has oggravated this effecti Colony beri-beri factors in the dietary with does wage rates. Many instances resultant gross manifestations of this come to light of contractors deficiency discose is indeed a very and sub-contractors requiring semi-siderations which must be taken into consideration for

skilled labourers who once carned between 80 cents and si or even more the defence of the Colony in the light of the latest war ja day to accept a reduction of a third

(ine one.

Problem Summed Up

"It would be difficult to give any or even a half of their former wages, tactics evolved by the Germans in Europe is indicated by accurate estimate as to what pro- to give up their jobs to immigrants portion of the patients cared for in prepared to work for much less. a statement issued by an Army spokesman who was

kong Refugee and Seeint The Counci the hospitals would not be sick hadi they enjoyed a reasonably adequate during the year for maintaining

was responsible interviewed by a "Telegraph" reporter this morning. dietary. The ratio must be high.

four food kitchens. Here, about 5,-

Welfare

the

In

"The lessons of what has been happening in Europe, have not

on deaf ears in "the spokesman said.

Hong HISTORIC

EXPLOIT

R.A.F.'s Brilliant Achievement

Effect Of Malnutrition "This was reflected in (1) the high? death and infant mortality rates; (2) kong enn be sunned up in a very

The problem of nutrition in long-000 bowls of soup are supplied daily. the large number-7,501-of cases of

Their Only Meal

fallen few words, tuberculosis notified by the handful The labour market is oversupplied "In many cases, it is the only meal kong, of qualified doctors and the fact that and wages are low

and much un- that these people receive. 4,443 deaths were áttributed to the

The spokesman added he was un- unduly exists. Au

"It might not be irrelevant here to able to disclose the steps being taken disense during the year, forming 0.2 large proportion of the earnings of point out that

0.2mployment

the excellent work from all causes, and (3) the over-has to be spent in rents, since there fortunately cannot be continued.

of the number of deaths the poorer sections of the community carried out in the Welfare Centres in by the military authorities in Hong- kong to meet the new type of menace, else of small children un- but intimated that the question of crowding of the Chinese hospitals is a heavy demand for bed spaces in with cases of beri beri and other the tenements.

the schools in the form of medical parachutists hus already been under nutritional diseases.

The sllustion vis-a-vis food sup-munity suffers from illness of various Kingdom-except for about ten per

“A_high proportion of the cum-inspection, free meals and free milk consideration in Hongkong: and eed ver oll-as the

Will Bo Dofonded

LONDON, May 29 (British United plies

deteriorated during the year cincts which further reduces earnings cent, of the school population.

*If trouble ever comes here, Hong-Wireless)-An R.AF. bomber following

the extension of Sino- and the money available for food. farm three per cent. of the total child man said.

These kong will be defended," the spokes-squadron in France has recently Japanese hostilities to the island of "The lack of vitamin B1, with its Hainan

pepulation between six and soul-western Kwang-ret

There is no question of anything received a message of congra- regrettable consequences on health

years of age."

Italation from General Georges, and ability to take part in heavy oil furnishes a problem which should

From another source, the "Tele-Chief of Staff to General be capable of solution

graph learns that the Government Weygand,-on-a-historie exploit. has given consideration recently tā The message merely stated: the question of traluing every able-Gentlemen, I thank you.

and

This was particularly noticeable th July and Augist, when the Colony was subjected to a partial blockade and supplies of imported vegetables were cut off.

•Steep-Rise-In-Prices-

Rice Market Manipulation

"Manipulation' of the rice market

to the prejudice of the consumer---- "has become of more serious-momeni

"Following the decloration of war since Government Introduced its sub.

In Europe In September, prices of¦xidy scheme in 1939. Low wage rates staple commodities rose steeply.

make I dificult for the poorer "Fuel for cooking—frewood is used classes to buy enough protein by the bulk of the poorer sections of reasonably high biological value and

price. Wood stealing became common-and meatless weeks ble in very prevalent and hundreds of acres much less frequeiil.

Aftéen

•

cise."

NO RABIES

IN 1939

bodied man in the Colony in the use

of a rifle and machine-gun and it is possible that measures of this nature may be adopted in the near future.

A.R.P. Shelters

Exploit Described

The following are the details of the... exploit.

No case of rabies occurred in the Colony throughout 1930, according

All bridges over the Meuse near to the unntal report of the Chaliman

Maastricht, where the Germans were The question of A.R.P. shelters has making a thrust to divide the Allied of the Urban Council.

also received increased consideration forces, had been blown up except one. Nevertheless, control of movement recently.

Over this bridge poured tanks and continued,

In this connection, unofficial plans armoured units of the enemy advance, A total of 305 ...dogs,

the community-became nearly dou- animal fats. Meatiess days are very and muzzling was us, one-nonkey have-been-revived-for-the-construc-stores-of-petrol, ammunition-CVETY--

noi

of woodland were completely de- Fish which should be available ripped to pieces and garage doors re-able quantity and within the limits

vastated-oven public

are

and two cats were kept under obser- tion of a tunnel linking the city of thing came over that one bridge. vation during the year on account of Victoria and Aberdeen. Such a tun- It was heavily defended.

Anti- eg suspected of being rabid, but nel, as the "Telegraph" pointed out aircraft guns kept up a barrage of fire. all were found free from the disease. before the war in Europe, could be Enemy fighters maintained constant

Seven broins the Government Eacteriologist. but times, thus relieving the congestion

were examined by used as a vehicular tunnel in normal patrols.

no Negri bodies could be

in the city, dermons- trated.

Increase In H.K. Press Traffic

Eight Fruitless Attacks Eight attacks were made by British jbombers. The river banks were shattered by high explosives, fighters were shot down in flames and anti- alrcraft batteries

bombed out of action. But no direct his was scored un-the-bridge.

A substantial increase in the press short spanding Officer made

scals being under normal conditions in reason.

moved plece-meat,"

of the purse of the ordinary labourer "The Report reveals that laboratory is less plentiful and more costly for and field research was undertaken reasons already given. during the year under the auspices "The prejudice existing against the of the enlarged Nutrition Research | consumption of soya bean is unfor Committee.

Dletaries were evolved tunate, since large quantities

Answers To Correspondents. for the many thousand inmates of available in the foent markets.

"As in other countries, so in this the Government camps for destitutes:

Y. K. Chan: The impression and refugees.

Colony, the

that unfortunate effects of the newspapers make excesivo profits-in- "A step

which

was regarded as raiddleman systent,

market manipula

war-time 19 erroneous. The "Tele-

Still the advances poured over that somewhat revolutionary at the time)tion, merchant guilds interested in was taken by the Medical Department obtaining the maximum profit, and follows the polley adopted by

une crossing. the Newspaper Proprietors Associa-

At the R.A.F. squadron headquar during

the year to

. and Introduce red, multiple handling

transportion

ters, the unpolished rice into all the camps charges all combined to increase the ion in London, which is to maintain

the m

number of afternoon editions but

to the pilots. The for destitutes and refugees and into cost of foodstuffs to the individual.

reduce the number of pages. This trame the Government hospital," the Report

Volui- Hand To Mouth Existence

figures in the tramc and bridge must be destroyed. conserves newsprint. The Teleservices section of the Hongkong Post teers were wanted. continues.

"The ordinary labourer and his graph" policy "Opposition to this Innovation was family live a completely hand

is. wherever practi-Office was shown during 1939 states The pilots stepped forward as one to cable, to give the main lines in the the annual report of the Postmaster nun.

So they met in the early stages,

was mouth existence and so bulk purchase poster to entirely new stories.-Ed.

wrote their names on but

General.

silps of paper and put them in a hat. largely overcome by health pro

The figures for press traffic which Four crews were chosen. They paganda.

Owing to the rising costs

represent a full year's working show went off without waiting. of animal and fish protein, an effort

a substantial increase over the 1930 was also made to popularise the use

Fighters went up as escort and figures, which covered less than six made straight for the bridge

at of soya bean products, bean curd,

months. The services started at Maastricht. The Oghters look on the bean sprouts,

Chinese cheese, bean

varying dates in 1938. mlik and so on. This was also an

enemy's fighter guard, welcoming uli An additional press service "Havas" odds to give nt first, since the

the bombers their unpopular meustire

started In November 9 and the Ger- chance. Southern Chinese are rather inclined

man newsagency, "Transocean" to look down upon soya bean as a

censed on the outbreak of the Eur- food for pigs. This dislike was

opean war, largely surmounted in the Gover

The varlous increases and ment camps and soya bean milk,

creases recorded under unpaid trame were due to changed condi- of war. tions consequent upon the outbreak

Sir Stafford Cripps, New Ambassador To Moscow

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

LONDON May 29 (UP).—-Sir Stafford Cripps, the Labour Leader, has been appointed British Ambassador to Moscow. The appointment is subject to Moscow's approval. which has been used at the maternal and child welfare centres for some!

Following the appointment, there Allied contraband control in French time, was also introduced into the has been considerable conjecture in Indo-China. Government hospitals. The cost of 'cow's milk is, of course, prohibitive parliamentary and diplomalle circles

for the poorer classes.

High Death-Rate "The high death-rate, particularly

regarding the prospects of a change

in the Soviet policy towards Ger-cording to an authorised statement many

the

ESCAPES VIA

HONGKONG.

dc-

The Bridge Was Blown Up

Facing a blizzard of enemy fire, the bombers dived low on the tar Fet.

Of those four erows, not one man came back. Bath bridge at Aaastricht was blown up.

Unsuitable Food Destroyed

Soviot Rejection, Report LONDON, May 30 (Reuter).—Ac-

issued by the **Foss" agency. in children and Infants, is attribute Moscow's assent to Sir Stafford is their ambassador in London to in- Soviet Government. have instructed abic, in part at any rate, is nutri-ssumed to be personally welcome form the British Government

SHANGHAI, May 30 (Reuter).-—- A large quantity of foodt WOB that Dr. M. by the Soviet leaders.

Nowlon, a 05-year-old taken

for lional factors.

analysis by the Urban "Deficiency diagnose is most up- M. Malsky, the Soviet Ambassador they are unable to receive Sir Star-American wanted by the local au- Council last year and some

of It ford Cripps or parent in relation to vitamin B1 com-in London, l

anyone else in the thorities for allegedly passing a which was found

WAS understood to plex. Apart from the very large informed the British Government ur delegate.

have capacity of a special or extraordin- forged cheque, excaped arrest by fly-, destroyed. numbers of cases of beri-beri en-that Moscow would appreciate and

ing to London from Hongkong, ac- A large quantity was, voluntarily countered, a vast burden of physical regard as a favourable prelude to really wants to

The statement adds that if Britain cording to the United States Mar- surrendered and destroyed, inefficiency and inability to perform better relations the release of the with the Soviet, it can do so through

conduct trade talks shal'a Omec liere.

Newton had proviously tried to LONDON, May 30 (Reuter),——A a man's work is met with in the Soviet steamers Selenga and Maya-ita Ambassador in Moscow or some-join the French Foreign Legion in further contingent of Canadian air-

kovsky, which are detained by the one taking his place.

Indo-China.

Imen arrived in Britsin yesterday.

a New GAUZE

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SEND 1,000 PLANES, SAYS U.S. GENERAL

NEW YORK, May 29 (Reutor)-Major-General John Ryan, Commander of an American division in the World War suggested In an interview, that 1,000 American planes with crews be sent Immediately to the assistance of the Allles.

This will amount to a declaration of war on Germany, but it is more valuable tó“American interests to act now than to send four times as many planes in six months hence," said the General.

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