SECRET & GUARD.
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considerably during 1954 and is now estimated at 3,000 tons a month. Main sources of supply are Formosa, Australia, Central America and Japan.
In March, 1954, Government relinquished its part in the sugar trade and stocks held by Government were run down. It is now the aim to ensure that stocks held com- mercially do not fall below 6 weeks minimum consumption i.e. 3,000 tons. The average stock at the end of each month since March, 1954, was 8,000 tons. The bulk of the sugar stock is always held by the local refinery.
6.
Salt. Estimated consumption is 2,300 tons of which approximately 2,100 tons is in the form of rock salt for salting fish, etc. Thailand is the main source of supply for rock salt and the U.K. for table salt. Local production is difficult to assess but is thought to be able to meet about 8% of the Colony's requirements. Stocks in commercial hands are usually sufficient for 6 weeks normal cors umption.
B.
7.
COMMODITIES, SUPPLIES OF WHICH ARE DEPENDENT OR PARTLY DEPENDENT ON CHINA,
Green Vegetables.
Consumption of fresh green vegetables is difficult to estimate but is thought to be of the order of 10,000 tons maximum and 6,000 tons minimum a month. Local production can, in winter, meet half the maximum consumption and in summer about a third. The remainder is predominantly imported from China.
Cessation of China supplies would be a matter of serious concern although soya beans (see paragraph 8) would go some way towards replacing green vegetables. Local production could be increased considerably in an emergency but would depend on the time of the year and the extent of hostilities. Australia and Japan are considered practicable short term sources of crude vegetable supplies.
8.
:
Beans. The bulk of the Colony's bean consumption, now estimated at 1,800 tons a month, is in the form of soya beans. Beans are important, mainly for their oils and sauces, but not essential to the local population. Principal sources of supply are China, Netherlands and Burma.
Government maintains a stockpile of 4,000 tons of soya beans because of their storing qualities and because they are acceptable as a vegetable substitute. The Colony possesses a large bean industry and considerable quantities of bean products, awaiting export, could be requisitioned in an emergency.
9.
Meat (fresh or frozen and canned). The Colony's normal consumption of fresh, frozen and canned meat is estimated at 2,000 tons monthly. Pork accounts for more than half of the consumption and beef about a quarter. During 1954, China resumed her exports of cattle and swine and is now the Colony's main source of fresh meat supplies; small quantities are also obtained from Thailand. Australia is the main source of frozen meat.
The aim is to maintain a stock of 1,500 tons of frozen meat and 400 tons of canned meat which is estimated to last 6 weeks if rationed. Present stocks, which are up to the set target, are maintained by the Government which has a monopoly of the frozen meat trade. Arrangements are now in hand to return the trade to commercial channels, traders accepting legal responsibility for reserve stocks Page 59tfel 54se of rice.
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