Inferior Grade Rice Most in Demand

Bapak mentioned that following the Second World War (Japanese War) in Malacca, there was lawlessness and food shortage. Bapak and his uncle Haji Noordin took a wheel-barrow to town to obtain some flour. They had to eat.

I researched the prices of food following the war. These prices were for Singapore in 1947. They should be about the same for Malacca.

The Straits Times, 6 December 1947, Page 10
Inferior Grade Rice Most in Demand
Produce Market

From A Market Correspondent.
Demand for inferior quality rice was fair yesterday, although the market for Nos. 1 and 2 qualities remained stagnant. Indian merchants continued to patronise the Sago flour market in order to fill December contracts with Bombay.

Very little interest, however, was recorded in other sections of the Singapore produce market, and most prices eased a little. Only the price of imported copra firmed further.

Yesterday's prices were:

Rice No. 1 $120; No. 2 $119; other qualities: 1. $80; 2. $75; 3. $70.

Glutinous Rice: No. 1 $80; No. 2 $75.

Sugar: Java white $59.00; Philippine brown $45.00; Taiwan white sugar No. 1 $58.00; Soviet white $52.00; Cuba white $53.00; Siam brown $44.00; rock $46.00.

Coffee: Bali No. 1 $95; No. 2 $91.50; No. 3 $85.00; No. 4 $80; Sourabaya $85; Palembang AP1 $80; AP2 $78; 15% $72.00; 30% $71.00.

Pepper: Muntok white $139; Sarawak white $137; Lampong black $91.

Coconut Oil: $63.
Coconut Cakes: Local No. 1 $22; No. 2 $20.
Copra: Dried $36.00.

Gum Benjamin: S.T.T. $130; B.B. $85; other brands $75.
This is benzoin, franckincense, kemenyan or Laban Jawi.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gum-benjamin
It is sold as big rocks, small rocks, crushed rocks, pebbles and oil.
Kemenyan is burned and the smoke is used for fumigation. This is often done at nightfall or dusk (maghrib). Some believe it keeps jinn away.
Kemenyan added to milk is used in ancient civilisation.
Benzoin oil is used as a therapeutic oil and antiseptic.
It is used for bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
It is also added to sawdust and made into small coloured incense cones and incense sticks for aroma therapy.
It is produced as a resin by the benjamin tree or benzoin tree by injuring the crumpled tree bark.
The tree takes 7 years to grow 20 feet tall.
The tree is native to Siam, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Lampung and India.
http://lilianausvat.blogspot.com/2014/05/medicinal-trees-benjamin-styrax-benzoin.html#
There are 2 tree varieties known and with scientific names.
Styrax tokinensis grows in Siam and Indochina.
Styrax benzoin grows in Sumatra and Java.
Java produces red, grey and black kemenyan blocks.
Sumatra produces small crushed kemenyan rocks.
It is called Gum Damar in Lampung, and is a clear yellow, crystalline resin.
Siam produces a few coloured kemenyan.
India produces small coloured rocks.

Cloves: Sumatra $47; Bombay $41.

Tamarind: Siam: $14.50; Siam black $7.50.

Gambier Rounds: No. 1 $125; No.2 $110.

Sago Flour: Lingga $18.50; Siak $18.20; Sarawak $16.
Sago pearl: Local $31.

Tapioca Flour: Malaya No. 1 $29; No. 2 $26; Malacca $36.
Tapioca Pearl: $40.

Rice Noodles: No. 1 $65; No. 2 $60.

Soya Beans: Manchuria $36.00; Siam No. 1 $30.00; No. 2 $28.00.

Green Peas: Siam small $29; large $28.

Peanuts: Siam $43.

Lard: No. 1 $130; No. 2 $125.

Salt: Siam Spot $4.50.

Dried Chillies: No. 1 $65; No. 2 $58; No. 3 $38.