Page
ALLISON
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH, 1918.
PIANOS
AN INSPIRATION TO THE ARTIST,
MUSICAL STUDENT AND AMATEUR,
15 DISCOUNT
ALLOWED FOR CAS
EASY TERMS CAN BE ARRANGED.
MOUTRIE'S
Ready to Wear
SOLE AGENTS.
26-4
TROUSERS
London made of a thoroughly dependable and unshrinkable- cream Gabernette cloth.
First class cut & workmanship.
ALL SIZES IN STOCK-
-$10.50 per pair.
MACKINTOSH
& CO., LTD.,
Men's Wear Specialists,
16, DES VŒUX ROAD.
LA
Telephone 29.
126期:
MINERVA
CIGAR FACTORY.
ESTABLISHED 1888,
EPICURES
A REALLY DELIGHTFUL SMALL CIGAR in Boxes 25-82.
REINA MARIA EXCELING IN RICH FLAVOUR
AND FAULTLESS BURNING
in Boxes of 50 84.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.,
AGENTS IN HONGKONG AND SOUTH CHINA.
FULL 1918 EQUIPMENT
DODG
CARS
E
DUE EARLY
IN JUNE.
FOR PRICES AND PARTICULARS, "APPLY TO ~
SHEWAN, TOMES & CO.,
MACHINERY DEPT.,
HONGKONG.
THE TRADE COMMISSIONER SOUTH CHINA SILK EXPORTS
SERVICE
EXPORTERS AND THEIR
MARKETS."/
Some interesting particular's concern- ing the South China silk exports arg given in a recent report by the U.S. Con- sul-General at Hongkong
JAPAN'S FOREIGN TRADE IN 1917.
"COTTON PIECE-GOODS TRADE
IN HONGKONG.
THE NO CREDIT SYSTEM.
During the earlier part of 1917, reports the US Consul General, Mr. George E. Anderson, there was some trouble with Chinese buyers over new terms of clear- ance of goods established by the importers through the Hongkong General Chamber of Commieres, but when buyers found that the terms and conditions were meant to The result has been that while the volume of business in cotton-goods imports has
REPORT OF H.M. COMMERCIAL ATTACHE, YOKOHAMA, [ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] The trade recorded the highest prices
According to advance agures and are for raw silk reached in many years; yet, LONDON, April 8th. In its altered and improved form the things considered, the year was a very port issued by the Japanese Departament
unsatisfactory one,
and the closing of Agriculture and Commerce on Dec. Board of Trade Journal is devoting con months especially involved many firms, Esth, the total foreign trade of Japan siderable space to explaining to home
importers, particularly American
in for 1017 (as known up to Dec. 2th) was producers and others concerned the essen Severe losses. The total yield of silk for valued at 2,533,577,000 yen, of which
requirements of overseas trade.
the year is placed at the same quantity 1,540,086,000 yen represented exports and There is a wide field open to the Departs last year 38,000 bales, as compared 990,611,000 yen imports the excess of be permanent, they were finally accepted.
in this direction, for it must be with 35,000 a year before, and an average exports over imports being 549,405,000
that British manufacturers
of
Confested
their business.
JA
only 30,07% bales, as compared.
have been slow to adapt themselves to the 44,600 bales for the ten years previous yan. These figures constitute a record, been only.n fraction of the normal m
war general and Lapccial requirements of particuiar coun- Exports of raw silk to all markets and compared with the corresponding ports, because of
finan tries in which they desired to extend with 45,703 bales in 1916, though exports period (t, up to December 20th) of last cial conditions, the year's trading has However, the Trade Commissioner Bye of waste silk increased from 28,177 bales on the prosperity of Japan's been reasonably profitable, and the piece tem is now being organised by the Deto 37,192 bales There was a decrease in foreign trade was thought to have reached goods business, as a whole and the proc partment of Overseas Trade (Develop sports of pierced cocoons, Japan came its zenith, the total result shows an in condition to handle a large-volume of ment and Intelligence), and there is an into the South China market for waste crease of 723,840,000 yen, or 40 per cent trade as soon as normal conditions inve
In exports the increase was 482,947,000 been re-established. silk to an unusual extent.
As a matter of fact, the piece-goods interesting article on this subject in the demand from the United States yen, or 43 per cent, and in imports current number of the Journal, which explains how direct touch is kept between has, of course, proved the critical factor 260,702,000 yen, or 95.7 per cent. The imtrade of the Hongkong field, and more in the year's trade. American buyers provement was steady throughout prac. or less in China generally during the past year, has been saved only by the high ox- manufacturers and exporting houses
came into the market in January and ically the whole year.
Prices of all home and the Commissioners in the vari
February, chiedy for coarse sizes, while
The following statistics of Japanese change value of silver. ous parts of the Empire. This is secured. Europe took mostly fine and medium trade since 1912 show at a glance the goods in Great Britain and the United States have advanced to such a degre by periodical visits to this country of
that at ordinary rates of exchange the Corumissioners on service abroad, and it
Exports. Imports.
price of goods in silver would have been is also the intention that one of the Trade
great advance that has been made
Yen.* Yen.*
.out
of the reach of Chinese con Commissioners shall always be attached
entirely. to the headquarters of the Department
626,982,000 618,992,000 sumers, and, with the facility the Chinese 642,460,000 729,432,000 people always show in dealing with in London. The Trade Commissioner af
591,101,000 505,738,000 situation of this sort, they would have present at headquarters is Mr. C. Hamil ton Wickes, the senior member of the
708,307,000 532,450,000 done without foreign fabrics entirely, and Service, who, in addition to previous
1,127,468,000 750,428,000 would have taken up more generally with
native cloths woven from native. yarns commercial
20th)1,040,036,000 $90,541,000 made from native as well as imported
cotton yarns.
This use of native cloth Up to 1914 the exchange value of the has been increased very materially during
the present period of high prices.
The old crop was completely dis posed of before the beginning of the way In July and August the United season. States developed a particularly strong demand, with the result that prices 1912. rapidly and assumed a boom level. Ame 1913. rican importers bought so heavily as these 1914 advanced prices that when rising silver 1018
rosa
years' experiperience, has hul fair exchange and unsafe prices later led to 1016
in Australia and avea oppage of business and a fall in 1917 (up to Dec. sears in Canada. Mr. W. G. Wickham, prices the Americans were caught, and some of them experienced considerable Trade Commissioner in South Africa, is losses. on his way home, and already largo number of business houses and Chambers of Commerce have intimated a desire to consult with him upon his arrival
is true,
of
Q
The exchange value of silver ruled high during the whole of the year, however, and as cotton went
ap in usually high value of silver reached in
price, the un-
THE EXPORTER OF EXPERIENCE. atisfotoly, condition timt characteris and cips, which declined by 12,090,000 August and September carried Chinese
Applicable to the market con of silver.
Nevertheless,
The result was that in the closing yen was £s. Old.; it is now about 2s. 1d.
EXPORT TRADE. months of 1917 American manufacturers
In exports the increase has been almost were loaded with high-priced stocks, mid- diemen were overstocked, orders were general, and with the exception
and the trade assumed the very cotton hosiery, woollen cloth, and bats It may seem strange, though it that the Department can help an expored it until the end of the year, Ayen, 1,800,000 yen, and 9,000,000 yen re-buying power along with it, for the in- ter of large experience more readily and moderate demand from Europe is all that spectively, and surplus, leather goods creased price of cotton goods was mora surely than one who has everything 10
has prevented a collapse in the South and camphor, in which there was athan counterbalanced by the increased learn. The man of experience is con
China market. Even this favourable smaller decrease, all the main articles of buying power of silver. fronted by specific difficulties and now factor has been modified somewhat by importance in Japan's export list showed the volume of trade at all times during exactly what he wants. He is able to
the year has been small. Political dis- place his system of invoicing before the farther restrictions on shipments of silk an inercase. In the case of cotton
France. The outlook for 1918 seeDIA Department, or perhaps his agreements to with agents, and to ask if there is to be followed by American buyers, as
to rest almost entirely upon the course hosiery, political disorder in Russia, and turbances in South Chine, particularly more cepecially the ban on imports into in August and September, prevented any way in which they may be improved an affected, of course, by the exchange value the United Kingdom, which was one of expansion in trade, and then in a general made more
the largest buyers in 1916, largely ac way the buying power of the Chinese dittoria
As regards people has been very low, because of their counted for the decrease. the Trade Commis
inability to export their usual
products sioner Service has not existed for more
woollen cloth, the disorder in Russia was in the usual way. Trade in the count than ten years, it has acquired consider
again responsible for the decline, while porta, like Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow, able expérience upon just those points
in hats and caps the decrease is attributed for these reasons has been dull. During where difficulties originate. And dish-
to diminished purchases by the United the year the general effect of the war on According to a report from H.M. culties in export trade naturally tend to
States, Australia, and the United King the trade also became more and more Consul at Foochow trade generally con repent themselves in individual instances, and to beerme familiar to the Commis tinued to be very bad during the Decemdom. To compensate for the loss of trade apparent, sioner who is constantly in touch with ber quarter. The autumn rice crop, in in these countries, however, there was a them. Although mang enquiries, spite of the drought, proved to be a good marked increase in exports to China and
the Netherlands East Indies. especially by experienced firms, need to one." ise transmitted to the man on the spot. before the latest information can be ob tained, very many can be dealt with by the Trade Commissioner at beadquarters, and by those other Commissioners who From time to time come home, in order to visit the chief business centres,
of this country.
WHAT A TRADE COMMISSIONER MUST KNOW.
BLS
TRADE CONDITIONS ‹ AT. FOOCHOW.
A merchant has furnished the following notes on the ten trade at Foochow during 1917
The restricted mumber of markets, and the disorganisation of the few remaining oper, owing to war conditions, caused very late opening of the tea season, and there was practically no tea exported A Trade Commissioner stationed in any from Foochow until July. Russian buy Dominion or Colony, and responsible for ing dominated throughout, but great e particular area, has to make himself iniculty was experienced in getting the ten forward. The American market was fully conversant with:-
(1)--The Business houses trading in inc. only free outlet, but even then ship-
his area.
as the local ments have been restricted owing to exces manufacturers and public bodies.sive consignments from Java Business quantity and value that the with France was greatly limited on (2)The qu
Country
purchases of articles account of lack of tonnage. Shipments which the British manufacturer to Australia and New Zealand were very and merchant can supply.
small, due in the case of the former to (3.)-The tariff and customs regulations the embargo which permitted only the for goods entering the country. execution of orders placed some time be (4.)-The foreign goods competing with fore the season opened, and in the case
British
their method of Bale, of the latter to the very heavy duty in their character and price. (5)Freights and charges and the composed on imports of China tea. At the parative rates between British close of the year there was still a con ports and foreign ports serving siderable stock of tea for which there was no market. Most of it was fine tea from his area
the first crop, and the Chinese would lose more heavily upon it than if the stock bad ixen of more common grades from later crops. The existing financial condi- tions are such that the carrying of these teas for some time yet must be a very heavy burden. The very high exchange rates that have prevailed throughout the season do not appear to have affected business so much as did the difficulty of shipment.
to
A certain amount of tea has been bought in anticipation of shipments to London. Until the war is over Russia has to be looked to as the chief market for Foochow tea, and conditions there are being anxiously followed by these
concerned.
HOW A MARKET 19 STUDIED. All these categories of information are essential to any British exporting house, and an important function of a Trade Commissioner is to obtain precise details with regard them.
For instance, take category
These concerns consist, as they do in Great Britain, of :-
(R)-Importing Merchants generally wholesalers, though in some in- stances they are retailers (b)-~Loeal manufacturers who are in
porting machinery, material, or equipment. (c) Local agents who import, buying for their own account, sotac with an exclusive right to serve a parti- cular markot, as well as agents aeting on commission. (The
big railway Corporations, Municipalities, and Public Works tish firms are impatient of what they
are importing all classes of call "red tape," and make needless diffi
culties for themselves. They should con- (e) Mining Companies carrying on form strictly to the Regulations it is mining and other similar opera of no use to kick against the pricks and tions, who are also large buyers should seek to obtain all the information and (/)Shipping Companies, Telegraph ma
available in regard to the proper way to Companies and Wireless Con make out invoices and papers. For in stance, the Canadian dutics are levied panies, who are also considerable on the value ex factory, from which importers from time to time. The Trade Commissioner works in close sometimes 21 per cent. is permitted to be touch with the Government of the terri deducted, whereas the Australian duties are collected upon the fo.b. value plus tory to which he is attached, and, with 10 per cent. added. the resources at his disposal, he is able to obtain considerable information about
When the question
goodE.
all classes of importerases of particular arms acting as agents for British expor
ters it
is necessary to know whom they already represent whether British For foreign firms and the is a subject to
the Trade Commissioner The porrectness
time to time, and in this respect
FOREIGN
Foreign coMPETITIVE GOODS.
PRINCIPAL INCREASES IN EXPORTS.
the
MATCH TRADE IN MALAYA. Of the other principal goods exported
At one time Sweden was the principal raw silk, cotton cloth and yarn, copper supplier of matches to the Far East. In refined eugar, habutae, coal, waste silk recent years, however, Japan has prac- tea, matches, timber, rice, etc-all re-tically captured the trade, as is shown
by the following statistics from corded particularly inrge gains, the in- crease in raw silk alone amounting to Straits Settlements.
The value of the imports and exports 85,850,000 yen. Although this was partly due to an advance in prices, the chief of matches into the Straits Settlements factor was the increase in purchases by over a period of four years was as fol-
Imports. Exports, the United States, where the demand for lowe silk goods has grown.
£112,918 £63,813
102,244
1913 1014 Ju15
1016
81,903
190,435 120,177 100,876 120,188
The imports came chiefly from the fol. lowing places :
1913. 101-4. 1915.
£
The increases in the export of cotton cloth, some 66,030,000 yen, is one of the outstanding features of the expert trade, showing as it does that Japan has, for the time being at least, captured the markets in the East which can no longer wonted supplies from obtain their Europe. Exports of cotton yarn also in Japan crossed, but in value only, as there was Sweden a diminution in volume. The increased Hongkong. 1,663 5,134 export of copper was due to the larger Denmark supplice that went to the United Kingdom United and France, exports to Russia, which was the largest huyer in 1916, being quite small.
1910.
F
99,254 86,962 134,339 162,964 .....19,142 8,495 20,079
15,741 19,058 19, 108
7.207-
108
Kingdom... It is probable that the matches m- ported from Hongkong wore largely f motely Japanese manufacture, being transhipped at the northern port.
Habutae exports improved, owing to increased purchases by the United States, while exports of refined sugar increased to the extent of 3,570,000 yen, exports. being mainly to China, Siberia, and the imposed on Australian wool, Japan had Far East generally. In coal and waste to obtain the bulk of her supplies from
Considerable purchasen silk the advance in prices accounts for South Afrion. the increases, as the volume was less than were also made in South America. in 1910. Rice went in larger quantities Imports of oilcake increased by to the United States and to the United 18,040,000 yen, owing to its use as a Kingdom, as supplies for the Expedisubstitute for sulphate of ammonia as a tionary Forces.
fertiliser, the price of the latter having There was also a substantial increase advanced considerably since the begin- The increase in im- in the export of many articles considered ning of the year. of secondary importance, such as flour ports of machinery amounted to 14,300,000 beans, beer, leaf, tobacco, leather, coco- yen, most of the imports being from the nut oil, soap, pencils, printing paper, United States and the United Kingdom, window glass, brass plates and sheets, with a lesser amount from Sweden P and other brass manufactures, electric Larger shipments of hemp from Manila boxes, India, the Straits Settlements and and weaving industry accounted for the machinery and wire, and shooks for tea to provide for the growing hemp spinsing the Netherlands East Indies shared the rise in imports of that commodity. In increase in beer; four went largely to iron-pig and ingot the increase of China and the Far East generally 8,120,000 yen was due to enhanced prices, tobacco to Egypt, beans to the United and did not denote an increase in quan- States; shooks to India; coconut oil totity Russia and the United States; window Imports of less importance which re glass, soap, printing paper, etc., to the corded a substantial increase were am Far East generally as well as to Kadis follows:-Malt (due to the increased beer and Australia; and pencils largely to the export), tallow for soap and glycerine making; morphine; precious stonen United Kingdom.
(chiefly diamonds); rails motor cars (up to October 622 cars had been imported, almost all from the United States, 28 compared with 174 for the corresponding period of 1916); copra for the manufac
IMPORT TRADE.
In imports the increase wis not so great as in the case of exports, but in is very closely eleven out of the twenty-two chief items Directly he observes that a certain clie watched by a Trade Commissioner. on the list there was a substantial in
acter.
*
of foreign goods is established, or is be erense, viz, in rice, beans, erude rubber, ture of coconut oil (already mentioned raw cotton, hemp and flax, saltpetre, in connection with exports); sulphate of oilenke, pig-iron, iron ingots, shapes, armonia from the United Kingdom. an export business has been commenced in this article, and supplies from the United Kingdom will probably diminish
mainly from the United States.
p his lists of importers is ver quality, Next, whether it is more attraeiuport of steel as well as machinery into hereafter); and caustic soda and soda ash
established, in the market, of
which the United Kingdom which particular attention is given by could supply, he makes a most careful platos, pipes and tubes, and machinery.(owing to the increased domestic output
situation.
PRINCIPAL INCREASES IN IMPORTS. First, there is the
Notwithstanding the ban on the export question whether the article is
being sold at a lower price, although of equal of steel from the United States, the firms have shown themselves ready to live in style or pattern, or better boxed, Japan in 1917 created a record. Lasted assist the Trade Commissioner who, in or has soam fosture in manufacture plates and shapes the increase amounted which benefits the foreign-made article to 96,780,000 yen, which may afford some examine the method idea of the industrial activity of the of sale (whether
bis turn, is frequently able to assist them.
A correct and up-to-date Importers' Last Then he proche more economical country during the year, the require- and hides, pulp for paper-making, lead,
is invaluable; it prevents wasteful loans vassing and proves beneficial both to the local agents. and
to the Trado
ado Commis sion KIPP AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS,
TARIFF
PRINCIPAL DECREASES IN IMPORTS. Chief amongst the articles in which a decrease was recorded were sugar, skins than oure or more skilful. The questions ments of these goods being mostly for brass and yellow metal, cotton cloth, of freight, of credit, and of other factors shipbuilding and for the manufacture of paper, petroleum, and iron nails. In which cause the foreign goods to sell bet various kinds of machinery. The imports the case of palp the development of the part of a Commissioner's dutica is ter than British goods are taken into nc- No
came chiefly from the United States.
domestic industry accounts for the count. When the Commisioner has more important than the close study of analysed the situation in all its bearings
As regards imports of raw cotton, the diminution, while decreased orders for Tarifle and Customs regulations. More
increase of 48,540,000 yen, almost wholly army boots from Russia was the chief than once anomalies, adve
adverte to British he is in a position to advies British manu-
reason for a falling off in imports of exporting interests, have been detected facturers and exporters where to took for from the United States and India, was
ne to the rapidly increasing demand kidos and skins to the extent of 2,820,000 and successful efforts made to obtain remedy
for Japanese cotton goods in India,yen. The decrease of 1,774,000 yen im rectification. A Trade Commissioner is
In conclusion, too much emphasis can- working in a very friendly atmosphere not be placed on the fact that, although thina, the East generally, and in other the import of iron nails is said to be in which both the people and their Gova Government Department, however well countries. The increase in imports of due to the increased output of Japanese ernment are anxious to assist trade with it may be organised cannot sell British wool amounted to 16,180,000 yen, but this nail makers, and partly also to the fact the Mother Country. But he cannot a goods in Empire markets, it can, through was due mainly to the increase in price, that in 1916 a shortage of wire rods pre solve from embarrassments the British its Trade Commissioners, whether sbroad as the quantity was only slightly larger vented Japanese factories from working exporter who will not take the trouble to
at full capacity, which led to a larga import of nails in that year. observe the regulations Sometimes Bri- (Continued as foot of next column)
or at home, do much to assist British than in 1916. Owing to the restrictions manufacturers and exporters in maintain
·ing and developing their overzean trade
(Continued as foot as next column)