CANTON
959.
to reach the port. As matters stand, fully laden coasters and ocean vessels are obliged to load and discharge their Canton cargo at Whampoa, thus incurring the expense and delay of lighterage over a distance of 11 miles, Foreign rice imports fell by nearly 300,000 piculs, this being due entirely to the plentiful import of native rice from the Yangtze during the March quarter consequent on the withdrawal of the embargo enforced in 1928. Bran, of which 2,000,000 piculs were imported in 1926, has entirely disappeared from the 1929 tables. This branch of trade was deflected to other means of transport by the duty-free treatment accorded by the Native Customs. Stocks of woollen goods were very generally depleted by December through the unprecedented severity of the weather. Imports, however, do not seem to have been at all commen- surate with the observed demand; and it would seem that an increasing supply of goods of this nature is entering by illicit means as a result of advanced tariff rates. In the autumu foreign white sugar was somewhat handicapped by the abundance of the sugar cane crop in the East River districts and the resulting general drop of prices. Trade in exports of local origin with foreign countries shows an increase of 1 million taels. The new ruling, referred to above, whereby Chinese goods translipped at Hongkong do not lose their native status, has so far made no appreciable difference to these figures, though it may possibly help to account for the improved statistics of native imports. Waste silk more or less maintained the improvement shown in 1928, while white raw silk advanced by 4,181 piculs. Prices offered, however, have generally been low, and dealers have therefore been reluctant to incur the expense inevitable if the quality of silk is to be materially improved. During the first nine months of the year there was a vigorous demand from America, while Europe showed little interest until August. In con- sequence, spinners occupied themselves almost exclusively with American grades, and the belated demand from Europe caused the price of European qualities to rise sharply. The cement factory at Honani was quite unable to cope with the universal demand for cement for constructional purposes, and the erection of another factory in the district has begun. The construction of a bascule bridge destined to connect the city of Canton with the island of Honam was begun in November at the instance of the Canton Municipality. Considerable improvements were effected in the filtration plant employed by the Waterworks Company. The construction of intraprovincial roads was somewhat hampered by military movements, but roadmaking and other municipal improvements within the city itself made steady progress. A large fleet of motor-oninibuses came into operation and proved most successful in providing cheap and speedy transport. The automatic telephone system was widely introduced and gave general satisfaction. Aeronautics made steady progress, and military aircraft took a prominent part in the operations at and around Canton, particularly during the movements in early May. A disturbing factor affecting the trade passing through the Canton Native Customs was the importation into Canton by steamer of such com- modities as fishery and sea products, leather, rattan, and medicines, with a view to evading the payment of likin at Taishan and of the examination fee levied by the Native Customs. Conservancy work was carried on without interruption during the year.
The trade of the port coming under the cognisance of the Foreign Customs during the past ten years is shown by the following net figures: Hk. Tls. 183,589,036 n 1929; Hk. Tls. 171,580,923 in 1928; Hk. Tls. 172,482,412 in 1927; Hk. Tls. 261,605,704 in 1926; Hk. Tls. 201,720,711 in 1925; Hk. Tls. 201,566,440 in 1924; Hk. Tls. 219,203,728 in 1923; Hk. Tls. 197,287,935 in 1922; Hk. Tls. 165,232,378 in 1921; and Hk. Tls. 140,814,317 in 1920.
Ample means of communication exist between Canton and Hongkong, a dis- tance of 112 miles by railway and about 95 miles by water. Foreign steamers and a large number of native craft ply daily between the two ports. There is daily steam communication with Macao and regular connection with Wuchow and West River ports, and with Shanghai, Newchwang, and Kwangchauwan. The steam- launch traffic under the Inland Steam Navigation Regulations has proved a great success, though since rules were enforced in December, 1901, compelling all Chi- nese launches to undergo inspection at the hands of an engineer appointed by the Customs before obtaining licences to ply, the number of launches is not so large as previously. There is a safe and commodious anchorage within 150 yards of the river wall at Shameen. Canton was connected by telegraph (an overland line) with Kow- loon in 1883, and another overland line was completed from Canton to Lungchau-fu, on the Kwangsi and Tonkin frontier, in June, 1884. An agreement was entered into with the South China Wireless Co., a British concern, in the latter part.