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FORMOSA
in Taiwan has decreased, as they are being shipped to Japan in the form of Ores. The total mineral products of the island during 1925, according to investigations made by the Mining Bureau are given as approximately Gold Yen 385,135, Silver Yen 16,997, Copper and Copper ores Yen 948,635, Coal Yen 11,645,466, Petroleum Yen 283,856, Sulphur (crude and refined) Yen 39,214. The output of Coal has greatly increased due to the enhanced demand for export to South China, and the South Seas, and for bunkers. Petroleum has likewise considerably increased of late owing to the active gush within the last few months.
Amongst sundry factories and mills at various places in the island are ice-works, a brewery, a straw-board factory, two flour-mills, fertiliser factories, ramie and jute mills, cement works, brick-works (many using Manchester kilns), numerous oil- .extracting and rice mills, several electric-light plants, and a gas works (in Taipeh).
From the north of the island tea forms the principal export, and the authorities are energetically pushing its cultivation and preparation. The value shipped to foreign markets in 1925 was Yen 11,393,742, of which about half was Ooloong, and the remain- der Pouchong, a scented tea mainly consumed in Netherlands India and the Straits. Camphor, the annual production of which about ten years ago footed up to 86,000 piculs has in recent years declined, and is now in the neighbourhood of about 60,000. It is estimated that the supply of natural camphor will be exhausted in another thirty years, or so. Export in 1925 amounted to Yen 3,609,366, and to Japan Yen 915,092 together with Yen 2,468,013 of camphor oil. Coal exports amounted to Yen 9,349,761, of which Yen 1,901,472 went to Japan, and the remainder abroad. The export of rice to Japan in 1925 was the largest on record, and was in a great measure attributable to the cultivation of Japan varieties, the total figures amounting to Yen 72,110,218. Bananas and canned pineapples are likewise exported to Japan and Dairen, ship- ments amounting to Yen 9,504,199, and Yen 345,274 respectively. The production of sugar, the leading industry of the island, in the 1925-6 season amounted to piculs 8,532,097 of a value of Yen 111.539,097. It is estimated that this season's crop will show a deficiency of nearly 800,000 piculs owing to drought at time of planting, and to decreased arca of canes planted, more land being taken up for rice: an increased acreage yield is, however, anticipated, due to improvement of varieties, and method of cultivation. In this connection the rapid propagation, and intensive cultivation by the use of fertilisers is worthy of note. For sugar, sulphate of ammonia is mostly used, whilst for rice, fruits and other crops, bean-cake is generally applied, and during 1925 imports of sulphate and bean-cake amounted respectively to 35,000 tons, and 6,500,000 cakes, showing an increase over the previous year of 10,000 tons, and 1,200,000 cakes. Sugar Factories: there are now 47 of these equipped with modern machinery scattered throughout the island, mostly in the central and southern dis- tricts, in addition to 13 factories of improved Formosan_type, and 132 old-style .ones. Alcohol to a value of Yen 3,854,578 was shipped to Japan, in 1925, and Yen 1,987,301 sent abroad. Of Miscellaneous items: Lumber, cement, dried fish, salt, sweet potatoes, cotton cloth, etc., over Yen 142,228,607 were likewise exported, of which about Yen 102,359,966 went to Japan and the remainder abroad.
The following articles are classified under the Monopoly Law, and can only be handled by the Government:-Opium, camphor, salt, tobacco, wines and spirits. Miscellaneous imports amounted to Yen 69,477,353.
The trade and industries of the island are steadily developing, and both fish and fruit are now being largely exported to the mother-country and Dairen, whilst recently attention has been directed to the gathering of coral, supplies of which have been found in the waters of the northern vicinity. All the principal towns are now equipped with water-works, electric lighting, and large markets, etc., and con- nection between them by motor lines of cars is becoming general, replacing the push cars hitherto mainly in use. A Japanese Electrical Company under Government support that had suspended work a year or two ago, is contemplating restarting, and the prospects of its being successful in doing so appear favourable. The electrifica- tion of the railways and other industries was the object for which it was originally started.
One great drawback to the island is its lack of good harbours, which is more especially felt on account of the strength of the monsoons in the Formosa Channel. Those on the eastern side are few and neither commodious nor accessible; whilst on the west coast, with the exception of Keelung in the north and Takow in the south, they are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements are still being car- ried out both at Keelung and Takow and these, when completed, will greatly
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