Milk Powder for Minqing 1960's from Sibu

 Today milk consignment could be arranged to be sent to China from the UK, New Zealand, Australia etc. It is called MilkMail, managed by Seven Seas Worldwide. How convenient!!

Terms and Conditions"

• You must classify your shipment as 'personal effects'
• The quantity of milk powder must not exceed 6kg per parcel
• If your shipment exceeds this weight, it is automatically classed as 'cargo' and tax will need to be paid on it
• The tax rate is 10%
• If the total value of items sent exceeds 2000 RMB, these will be taxed too

After reading this on Google I was reminded of the days in the 1960's and 70's when many of my relatives were sending milk powder to Minqing. their favourite brand was Li Too Gin or Lactogen.

A grand uncle who had come to Sibu and prospered had his daughters send two tins of milk powder at a time as they to wrap the tins together with paper and then a white piece of cloth. The two daughters had to sew each parcel neatly with good stitching. Small tins of milk powder would be wrapped with cloth for making of baby clothes too. This went on for a few years until the babies were older. It was to fulfill the promises he made to his brother. And he did help his brother's family until he passed away. His brother's grandchildren were like his grand children. He was always so happy to receive photos from China.

In his words,"I have come to Sibu and had made promises to help those left behind in China. Now I can afford to send milk powder back to feed the little ones."

The Post office in the 60's in Sibu were always full of Sanba (down river) people who wanted to send parcels to China, especially after the days of good rubber prices. Every one in the Post Office spoke Foochow in those days and the service was extremely friendly.

It is very much like today's Iban oil palm growers who will  buy loads of food supplies and fill up their hiluxes when the prices of oil palm are as high as RM 700 per ton.

Lactogen made in UK was the favourite milk powder for China relatives.

(Borneo Company was the main agent for Lactogen in Sibu in those days)