CHINA
735
distribution of foreign goods, and in doing so it must be noted that the figures of net foreign imports given in the preceding paragraphs represent the total net quantities imported at the various ports from all sources, and either retained at the ports or sent inland on payment of transit dues or likin. In two sections of the Empire only-in Manchuria and in the Two Kwang-was there an increase in the foreign goods retained. The increase in Manchuria, as compared with the figures for 1907, was as much as 40 per cent., 21 per cent. being added by the new stations on the frontier and 19 per cent. by the sea ports. In Kwangtung and Kwangsi a total increase of 1.50 cent. was contributed to by most of the ports in these provinces. Swatow, however, stood aloof, and taken by itself shows a decrease of 20 per cent. Tientsin and Chinwantao, whose imports, chiefly consumed in Chihli, also penetrate in considerable quantities to Shansi, Kansu, Shantung, and Honan, retained 40 per cent. less of foreign goods. Shantung fell off by 5.30 per cent. The Yangtze ports retained 5 per cent. less; but Hankow alone, which distributes foreign goods in some quantity to half a dozen provinces, shows a decline of 8 per cent., and Chinkiang alone, from which Kiangsu, Shantung, and Honan are largely supplied, a decline of 11 per cent. At Shanghai the decline in retained imports was 24 per cent; in Fukien, 6.40 per cent.; and in Yunnan, 14.50 per cent. It will thus be seen that, except in the Two Kwang and Manchuria, the decline in demand for foreign goods has been fairly general throughout, the Empire. It will be seen, further, that the decline has been most marked in the districts served immediately by Tientsin and Shanghai.
"Foreign Trade. The direct foreign trade during the year gives a net value of Hk. Tls. 671,165,881, as compared with Hk. Tls, 680,782,066 in 1907; and it consists of imports to the value of Hk. Tls. 394,505,478 and exports to the value of Hk. Tls. 276,660,403, compared with Hk. 416,401,369 and Hk. Tls. 264,380,697, respectively, in 1907.
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Imports.-The decrease in the value of imports is about Hk. Tls. 220,000,000; but owing to a general rise in silver values resulting from the lower exchange, the real decrease in the volume of imports is much greater than the difference of value would indicate. Foreign opium imported, although in quantity less than in 1907 by 6,129 piculs (48,347 against 54,4′ 5 piculs), has a value larger by Hk. Tls. 5,573,000 (Hk. Tls. 34,226,337, as against Hk. Tls. 28,653,653). In the case of opium, however, the rise in value is due not only to lower exchange but to higher market prices, the result of reduced exportations from India and of Chinese measures for suppressing poppy cultivation. Almost every port shows a smaller consumption of foreign opium, the principal decreases being 2,000 piculs at Shanghai, 2,000 piculs at Yangtze ports, 600 piculs in Chekiang, and 900 piculs in Fukien. So far as the movements of native opium are disclosed in the returns they were not less than in previous years, and the quantity of Szechwan and Yunnan drug passing Ichang on the way down river was considerably greater. Cotton goods show a decline in value of 8 million taels, which would have been 18 million on the valuation of 1907. The decrease is chiefly seen in cotton yarn and in sundry piece goods, such as prints, turkey reds, cotton italians, and cotton lastings, although white shirtings and T-cloths continue on the downward path. Of grey shirtings, 4,887,000 pieces were imported, giving an increase as compared with the importation in 1907 of 1,400,000 pieces, and fully maintaining the average of the last five years. It can hardly be said that American piece goods have recovered from the collapse of 1907, although they show a total of 1,586,000 pieces, as against 578,000 pieces in that year. In 1906 these goods totalled 83 million pieces, and in 1905 123 million. pieces, and the Customs returns might be searched in vain for another. instance in which a reverse so sudden and complete has befallen a leading branch of trade. There seems to be no evidence that the American goods have been supplanted by others, and no reason why they should not, in better times, regain the ground they have lost. The importations of the principal makes of plain cottons are comparatively shown as follows:-
1905.
Great Britain, pieces ...13,548,025
American Japanese
Indian
""
...12,566,093
780,580 650,636
11
1906. 10,785,227
8,544,165
733,436 85,003
1907.
8,224,951
578,647
840,401
67,905
1908.
8,993,534
1,586,989
986,982
141,312
Cotton yarn has declined by 450,686 piculs as compared with the amount imported in 1907, and is now in a lower position than it has occupied since 1900. Native cotton mills have had much to do with the decreased imports of foreign yarn, with which they must increasingly compete. The importations of woollen and cotton mixtures were less by one-half in respect of quantity and by Hk. Tls. 1,100,000 in respect of total value as compared with the preceding year's figures, and woollens, while maintaining about the