I
FOOCHOW
A397
Consumption of kerosene oil, always a reliable guide to the condition of the local population, was well maintained, imports totalling 6,621,614 litres as against 5,321,398 litres during 1936. Sales of gasolene improved, the import being 841,398 litres as compared with 411,803 litres. Direct imports of sugar from abroad totalled $330,315 as compared with $351,159 for 1936. No smuggling of sugar was reported during the period. Extensive planting of sugar cane has been carried out in recent years in Southern Fukien; the loss of the Shanghai market was, however, a serious blow to local producers. The import of sulphate of ammonia almost doubled, from 43,938 to 79,078 quintals due to the improved financial position of farmers and the increased assistance extended to them by the local authorities. Imports of Chinese cotton yarn were valued at $715,244 as compared with $600,906 in 1936, the business of local weavers increasing on the destruction or closure of many of the factories in Shanghai during the hostilities there. Direct imports of Formosan coal again declined, arrivals of Chinese coal also being somewhat lower, largely owing to the laying-up of many of the steam-launches that normally ply in neighbouring waters. The value of domestic imports of tin ingots and slabs (mostly from Yunnan) was $219,916 as compared with $225,926. A large proportion of this tin is used in the manufacture of tin facing for joss paper. Direct imports of dyes from abroad were valued at $67,081; since the evacuation of Japanese from the district, European and American products now enjoy a monopoly of the market.
With a view to controlling the black tea trade and improving manufacture and packing, the local authorities instituted a Black Tea Trading Bureau and a Testing Bureau. If the efforts made by these bodies towards improvement of cultivation of plants and preparation of the tea by up-to-date, methods prove successful, Foochow teas may once again be known throughout the world. Local teamen had another satisfactory season. The quality of the 1937 crop was fair, and almost all arrivals found buyers. Of the 15,589 half-chests of souchong whicli arrived at Foochow only 3,250 half-chests were left on the market at the close of the season. Congou arrivals totalled 60,840 half-chests as compared with 74,900 in the previous year. Quotations for congou at the opening of the market were about 10 per cent higher than at the beginning of the 1936 season, while souchong prices showed an increase of about 5 per cent. Both, however, eased off later. Flowery pekoes, of which only 3,490 chests reached the market, found buyers at some 35 to 40 per cent over the previous season's prices on account of short crops. Great activity continued to be witnessed in the timber export trade until the outbreak of hostilities, when it became impossible to make shipments to northern Chinese ports. Coastwise exports of timber were never- theless valued at $5.8 million as against $4.4 million during 1936. During the year shipments of paper to other Chinese ports declined considerably, while exports abroad increased. Coastwise shipments were valued at $1.8 million as compared with $2.5 million in 1936 and $1.9 million in 1935. Exports abroad were va
valued at $332,881 as in coastwise shipments was due to the hostilities, which also caused the Fukien Paper Manufacturing Company to close down its local factory. The proposed construction of a moden paper mill at Nanping by the Ministry of Industries has been postponed.
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against $162,072 during the previous year. The decline were
The total number of vessels entered and cleared at this port during 1937 was 1,469, of 1,538,106 tons, as against 1,912 vessels. of 2,084,513 tons, in the previous year. The decrease was due to cessation of Chinese and Japanese shipping' following the inauguration of the blockade of the coast by the Japanese Navy from the 26th August. The Min River was blocked off Temple Rock below Kuant'ou by the naval authorities during the night of 3rd-4th September as a precautionary measure against possible invasion, a narrow channel being left in the boom to permit of the passage of small craft. Steamers visiting the port were therefore compelled to work cargo at Sharp Peak, some 33 miles from Foochow, but despite this serious handicap foreign shipping companies found it profitable to maintain limited schedules. Fears that the export trade of the port would be brought to a standstill were thus proved groundless.
The highway connecting Foochow with Kienou has been practically completed and will probably be opened to public use in the near future. This important high way will do much towards the development of trade in the interior, which in the past has been confined largely to waterways. The long-distance telephone service was considerably extended during the year, and direct communication, is now possible with most important provincial centres.