DO CHINESE EAT RICE?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12755, 26 September 1919, Page 9

DO CHINESE EAT RICE?

There is a mistaken idea abroad that every Chinese man, woman and child in Chi mi eats rice ‘ every day. As a matter of fact, there are millions of Chinese living in Shensi, Shansi and Northwestern China, where rice is not grown, who never have seen or tasted nee. There are millions m the rice producing sections who cannot afford to eat rice regularly. With these qualifications, it may perhaps be said that rice is the staple article of diet of the Chinese people,' or, more correctly, of the people of Central and South China; though, strictly speaking, there is reason to believe that the sweet potato occupies _an even more general place in the dietary of the people throughout all sectiiohs of China than does rice. The Yangtze valley is ifie great centre d lice production Rico i traw Is the most common material for the manufacture of paper in China. It also serves as food and bedding for animals, as thatch for houses and as fertilizer. Rice wine, sam-sßu, is made in enormous quantities in China, although the people are not given to intemperance"