Financial circles here pointed out that the Hongkong Government has been tightening restrictions on transactions in the Chinese dollar since the latter half of December, corresponding to measures of the British Government, It was remembered also that the Chinese dollar has been the only major foreign currency which heretofore was left uncontrolled and whose purchase was believed to be causing flight of Chinese capital to Shanghai.
The Government issued an order late in December that persons purchasing more than $1500 in Chinese notes should present a reason to show that the purchases were based on real necessity and not speculation.
Furthermore the Government ordered cessation of sales of national savings certificates of the Chungking regime for the presumable purpose of preventing outflow of Hongkong money.—Domei.
Tokyo, Jan. 4.
Taking further steps to promote trade, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry decided to establish in foreign countries between now and March eleven more trade consultation offices, augmenting the 25 now operation, it was learned today.
The projected bureaus will be opened in several countries in South America, the Far Eastern South Sea Islands, and Africa, which offer favourable markets for Japanese products since the outbreak of the European war.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.