A446
KONGMOON
Kongmoon no longer enjoys a direct junk trade with Shanghai and Foochow, and the opening up of Kiungchow and Pakhoi as treaty ports has still further diminished th junk trade and commercial importance of the port. In normal times there is dail communication by steamer with Hongkong and Macao, and an extensive traffic with Canton and other riparian cities in the province by the now familiar West Rive "Tow". These large floating hotels are towed by launch and equipped with every convenience for Chinese passenger traffic, including electric lights, fans and radios.
A railway from Pakkai to Toushan in the Toishan district was constructed inf 1909-10 by native engineers trained in America. It is about 80 miles long and stop short six miles from the sea, because there is no good harbour in the vicinity. The 1 railway authorities once contemplated shortening the line by constructing a steel bridge across the South-West River at Kungyick to replace the pontoon ferry at Niuwan, but this project failed for lack of funds when half completed. The failure is ascribed to decrease in railway receipts caused by keen competition from the bus service which parallels the entire line.
A few hundred miles of highways have been completed during recent years in the districts around Kongmoon, as a result of the unremitting efforts of the provincial authorities and co-operation of the people. The most important of these are the Kongmoon-Fatshan and Sun-Hok Highways. The former links this port with Fatshar and connects there with the Canton-Samshui Railway. The latter takes its name from the nearby towns of Sunwui and Hokshan and opens up the prosperous south- western portion of Kwangtung Province through a network of connecting roadways. A regular motor-bus service over these highways operates throughout the year and connects Kongmoon with the surrounding districts.
The West River between Kongmoon and the sea was closed to navigation in 1937 on account of the war. Thereafter steamer traffic with Hongkong was compelled to proceed via Yungki and through the Bocca Tigris entrance of the Pearl River. After occupation of Canton by the Japanese forces in October, 1938, steamer communication between this port and the outside world was entirely suspended. In its place junk traffic with Macao soon developed, and rapidly assumed large proportions. As all of the main waterways had been closed, the junks were forced to follow a devious route through the numerous small tidal creeks with which the delta abounds. Kongmoon soon became the centre of a large trade extending far into the interior and with Macao as an outlet. As a result of the hostilities, trade from distant sections of the province was temporarily diverted through Kongmoon-thus demonstrating the extraordinary capacity of the Chinese merchant to "carry on" under adverse conditions. After several false alarms, this trade was eventually terminated on 29th, March, 1939, following the sudden arrival of the Japanese forces who still continue to occupy the
port.
TRADE IN 1938
Despite the Sino-Japanese conflict, the trade of the port of Kongmoon proved to be more satisfactory than anticipated, especially taking into consideration the fact that statistics for the year cover a period of 10 months only. Direct imports from abroad were valued at $3.7 million as compared with $4.6 million during 1937, coast- wise importations of Chinese goods at $4.5 million as against $1.8 million; direct exports to foreign countries at $4.4 million as against $4.8 million; and coastwise exportations of Chinese merchandise at $0.4 million as compared with $0.1 million.
Of staple imports, cotton and artificial silk piece-goods declined on account of the public will to use native products in time of war. An increase was recorded under salt fish, due to insufficiency of catches by the Chinese fishing fleet. A decline in the import of sulphate of ammonia from abroad was due to increased importations from Canton. A decrease in white sugar was the result of increased native production following the extensive planting of foreign-style sugar cane in the province.
Among staple exports, silk fell away, while lack of transport accounted for a considerable decline in the value of palm leaves and manufactures thereof. Decreases were also recorded under oranges, dried and salted turnips, fresh vegetables, black tea, soy and sauce, wood oil and mill paper. The chief increases were in garlic, leaf tobacco, fresh fish and live pigs, all resulting from heavy foreign demand.