THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 16, 1988.
Factories Spread Like Mushrooms In Shanghai Settlement
Industrial Outlook Definitely Improving
While literally hundreds of fac- others were, or are in the process tories in the International Settle- of being erected on extra-Settle- ment's northern and eastern dis-ment roads, on former Central tricts and in Nantao and Chapei Government-controlled areas. Not have discontinued operations since more than 50 per cent of the pro- the outbreak of hostilities here last posed factories are operating or August, there are more factories in are being built to operate in areas. several industrial categories within completely under the control of the the Settlement to-day, than there Shanghai Municipal Council. were ever before.
It is a confirmed fact that own- Actual figures are not available, ers of factories on extra-Settle- for it is impossible to keep a close ment Roads, areas which are over- check on
the numbers. Some of run with organised loafers and these factories are fly-by-night protection rackets off the munici establishments, operating for apal roads, are paying large sums week, sometimes for two months, of money to "officials" or "protec». and then closing down because the immediate demand and that of the immediate future will by then have been met. These small, factories are equipped with primitive ap- paratus, which costs little.to build and can be manufactured locally.
tors."
Here The China Press was in- formed, Chinese factory owners pay "ransom" rather than go out of their way to seek protection.
The general trend of factories is to build dyeing works, and of sur prisingly extensive proportions. Also, there is a greater number of than there was at any other time silk filatures in the Settlement now in the area's industrial history.
Beatrice Lillie, the British come dienne who has been called the "Laugh-line of Empire" romps with Bing Crosby and Mary Car- lisle in "Doctor Rhythm" Para- mount's musical comedy, coming Sunday to the Queen's and Al- harabra Theatres Simultaneously.
cil.
are confined to Japanese-controlled areas in China, mostly North China. Trade with North China, in view of the new currency which has been circulated there, is difficult. The currency is not too welcome at Japanese banks, and there is no raw material worth mention which the local mills and factories can purchase in the north.
Despite the incre singly promis- ing industrial outlook, figures ob- tained by "The China Press" show clearly that the situation can not begin to compare with the state of affairs.
JOB STATISTICS SIGNIFICANT
In June, 1987, 921,070 male and female labourers were employed by various industries. Last month statistics show that there were only 142,603 holding down jobs.
While this figure is less than half of last year's total, it is better by more than 20,000 than the figure of May, 1938, which is 121,213. The improvement shows that 21,390 men and women have found employment in one month. It is not expected, of course, that this rate can continue, but there indications that further in- creases in employment are in sight. In June there were 6,200 labour- ers employed in the central dia- 870 the figure of June, 1987. In trict, a figure which exceeds by
the western district, 50,033 workers had jobs against 36,396 in June of
Lare
1937.
SPREAD LIKE MUSHROOMS Factories during the past month have spread with mushroom rapid ity, at a pace which made it impos- sible for the S. M. C. Industrial were only two silk filatures in the works has also begun to operate.
Prior to the hostilities, there is also a rubber factory. A glass Section to keep track of all of them. Settlement. To-day there are seven It is significant, however, that
Factories which, prior to the
-some of which have transferred all factories of any size at all are outbreak of hostilities, were operat- their operations from Wusih, for- located within the areas controlled ing in Nantao are establishing mer Yangtse Valley centre for this by the Shanghai Municipal Coun- themselves again in the French industry, and from Kashing.
But here the favourable com- Concession those of them whose
Textile mills are at present parisons end. Whereas 86,953 were owners have been fortunate enough. Silk filatures are equipped at
low cost. The machinery is light, operating at a large profit. Com-employed on extra-Settlement roads to salvage their machinery after and is made of wood with metal petition has been reduced by more in June 1937, there were only payment of large sums of money to the "government" in control there. fittings. The material and work than half and quoting their prices 19,900 last month. And the 1937 Factories formerly situated in manship is available here at a rea-in foreign currency, exports are figure of 16,831 labourers in the
sonable price.
bringing in undreamt of returns at northern areas has dwindled to Hongkew, Yangtszepoo, even those
the present rate of exchange.
6,160.. which operated in Wusih' and
All these factories cater to an Kashing, are showing partiality to the Settlement's western district.
of the Chinese factories export increased local demand, and most
DIFFERENCE GLARING Some of them are situated in areas
their products. Many factories the statistics of the eastern dis- The most glaring difference is in well within S. M. C. jurisdiction,
which formerly had no export trict. Last year in June 115,12, business at all are now shipping workmen were busy in various cargoes to Wenchow, South China,
1
1
LARGE CONCERNS STAY IN
In addition, weaving mills and tanning factories are springing up on extra-Settlement oads. There
They're well worn
but they've
worn well
!
via Hong Kong, and the South Categories of industry. Last month
Seas.
this vast area employed only 49,140,
In Frenchtown, too, the figures There is an increased demand in
have fallen, although here not be-- the South Seas, for 90 per cent of the retail trade there is controlled cause of destruction of factories but because of reduced- demand. by Chinese merchants. Prior to While the Concession's industrial the hostilities, they imported Ja-establishments gave work to 30,000 panese-manufactured goods, Since,
there has been a widespread boy.men and women in June a year.
ago,
last month saw only 8,000 on the
cotton Nipponese cargoes, and Chinese products are more than pay rolls.
ever în demand.
N. CHINA TRADE DIFFICULT
The few factories in Pootung kept 2,900 men and women at work last month as against 20,000 last year, and Chapel, which kept busy Local Japanese factories are said the hands of $5,000 in June 1937, to be encountering difficulties. A has not enough work within its large part of their output is con- large territory to fill the daylight sumed, locally, but their exportal hours of a one-armed cripple.
Here's Luck!
thanks to KIWI EWO
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