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1

HONG KONG.

Weekly Air Mail Report on local situation (Secretary of State's Telegram No.233 of 20th November, 1938)

Cost of Living and Supplies.

Report for the week ending Friday, 17. 2. 39.

Fresh Vegetables:

Green vegetables:- supplies and prices approximately normal. Root Vegetablesi- supplies about 80% of normal and prices up about 30%.

Freshwater Fish) Supplies and

prices approx-

Saltwater Fish) imately normal.

Poultry: Supplies about 85% of normal for the week preceding Chinese New Year and prices up about 35% Meat

Beef:- supplies normal and prices up about 10%. Pork: supplies approxi- mately normal and prices up about 30%.

The rise in prices is due to the approach of Chinese New Year, with the Japanese occupation of Hainan and the possibility of decreased supplies from that vicinity as an additional excuse in the case of poultry and meat.

2

Population and Refugees.

No.of persons of all kinds entering Colony during week ended.

·

14. 2. 39.

16.2.39.

By

steamer.

By

railway

other

By

routes (if

known)

35265

Nil

No. of refugees in Kam Tin Camp on 16. 2. 39.

- or no change.

No. of refugees in border and

other camps on 16. 2. 39.

population Trend of

Nil

2715

2803

3

Remarks on State of Industrial and Shipping Activity

See report appended.

4

Remarks on Revenue Position and Prospects.

Approximate revenue for the four weeks ended 18th February was $3,325,000, equal to 100.4% of average revenue for corresponding periods of three previous quarters. Approximate

revenue for first seven weeks of

1939 was $5,866,000, equal to 111% of first seven weeks of 1938.

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