FO371-46256 — Page 44

Page 44

TOP SECRET

CIPHER TELEGRAM

F

7543

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments

or Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being bagaphrased. 1945

(Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased.)—

в

075029.

FROM:-

C.-in-C. HONG KONG.

C.C.M. (Naval) Flag Officers Secret by W/T.

Addressed: War Office.

IMMEDIATE.

TOP SECRET.

2312342/Sept.

Date 23.9.45.

Recd: 2312.

For Civil Affairs, Admiralty pass to War Office.

In spite of control of rice at 20 cents per catty spt catty basic cost of living continues abnormally high owing to scarcity

One Hong Kong of essentials like firewood, peanut oil, meat and fish. dollar per day was fixed as standard wage for unskilled labour in advance re-establishment of Hong Kong dollar currency. Figures now available as result of investigations suggest basic living wage as nearer three dollars per day. Prices fluctuate with slight tendency to decline but in meantime am forced to consider temporary high cost of living allowance

As immediate move propose granting for Government and essential workers. high cost of living allowance to all subordinate employecs other than European (including casual daily labour) of 100 per cent subject to maximum allowance of two rpt two hundred Hong Kong dollars.

Allowance will be kept under continual review and warning given that it is temporary and liable to change. Regard one hundred rpt 100 per cent for lower paid personnel as minimum required to meet present situation and after consideration have decided on allowance rather than alternatives such as (?food) rice or wholesale relief which we lack staff to administer.

Would appreciate your early observations as I have to act almost

immediately.

D. F.S.L. P.A.S. (L) D of P (Q) (3). M (16) for W.0.

2312342.

Advance Copy sent M Branch

for W.0.

War Office distribution by C.A.4.

P.U.S.(F)

D. S. A.

Col. C.A.(3)

Treasury.

C.A.4, 17.

F. 1, 5.

C. 4, 5, 10.

Col. Office (Mr. Gent) (Telegraph Section) Foreign Office

Min. Food (Mr. Sanderson)

C.A. S. (Hong Kong) 2, Park Street (2).

Page 44

Page 44

Page 44

Page 44