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"
HONGKONG TRADE STATISTICS,
SHOULD THE STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT BE RESTORED?
ARE THE STATISTICS WORTH THE COST OF COMPILATION?
The Finance Committee of the Hongkong Legislative Counci: yesterday discussed the question as to whether it is advisable to restore the Statistical was abolished branch of the Imports and Exports Department, which last year is part of the Retrenchment Scheme. There appeared to be a diversity of opinion on the subject and the question is to be referred to the Committees of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for their views on the subject. The COLONIAL SECRETARY (Hon. Mr. S R. HALIFAX, C.M.G.) presided over the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said the subject of re- storing the Statistical Offea of the Imports and Exports Department was postponed from the last meeting. The department was abolished last year at the time the retrenchmeat was made in
the Estimates, and no criticism was made at the time and in fact the opinion of the Government that it was not worth the money spent on it was supported by several documents and opinions of the commercial community.
common
that for statistical purposes a denominator was needed to show tenden- cies. The reply was that this only inter- ested newspapers, and writers of articles und reports.
The Committee realised that"statistics of trade might be of use for revenue pur- poses where there was regular taxation of various commodities, and the question, rose of finding new sources of taxation, but they held that this did not apply to the present circumstances of the Colony.
The general feeling seemed to he antagonistic to the keeping of any statis
ties at all.
I told the Committee that if fall figures were required I could not recun- mend any alteration of the present system taking into consideration the heteroge
neous nature of the mercantile community we have here.
[
It was made quite plain to me that the average British business man in the Colony makes little use of statistics, and can see little practical use in them. This has been my impression since I have been
in this cfice.
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The cost of the statistics might also. it is suggested, be reduced by; abandon ment of quarterly publication; publica- tion of summaries only once a year; and sale of the statistics of each commodity on separate sheets as applied for, at a
certain price, any 81, per sheet.
The CHAIRMAN read an extract from speech made in the Council on October 15th. 1918, by Mr. David Landale who said the Taocial Members of the Coun. cil particularly wished to know in what way, the 850,000 asked for in that year for the Imports and Exports Office was going to be spent. "We hope," he said, "the construction of this building does hot foreshadow a continuation of the
Mr. LLOYD explained that he, had pro- irksome demands of this office, which are
posed certain small amendments to the only put up with as a war measure, anıl
"The Sub-Conuuittee finally decided to Regulations. The Government referred bare very largely increased the clerical ask the Chinese Chamber of Commerce them to the Chamber of Commerce inbours in all shipping and other offices, whether the figures for purely Chinese Chamber then said: "We would like the It must not be lost sight of that Hong-
coastal trade were of any use to Chinese matter to be discussed between our sub- keng owes its prosperity to the fact that merchants, and to ask the General Com-committee and the Statistical Depart- until quite recently it was a free port
nittee of the hamber whether statistics ment." Instead of the discussion being and the sooner it becomes again a free were of any practical value, and whether strictly confined to these small amend. An early date."
they could not be abolished, or at leastments it broadened out into a general discussion as to whether the statistics Secondly, the Superintendent of the very much simplified and confined to
were any good. The sub-committee de Imports and Exports Department. Mr. | foreign ports culy.”
cided that it was 21 question for the Lloyd, was invited by a letter from the Hon. Mr. Hazrok said that to the general committee and the proposal was Chamber of Commerce to discuss with best of his recullection Mr. Lloyd met the made finally that the whole question of Chamber for the year 1824.
whether the Statistical Department shoati the Shipping Committee this very que Shipping Sub-flomaittee of the Chamber he abolished or not should be referred tion," and his report I will read to you." and the question as a whole had never said the Chairman. We must take the been dealt with by the Committee of the report at its face valpe because there is Chamber of Commerce. The first occa no further communication from the Chant- sion they had of dealing with it in recent ber of Commerce on the subject."
years was in September 1923 when they The invitation from the Chamber of had a communication from the Govern- ment which gave them exactly five days Commerce dated 29th April, 1924, read:
port the better."
the General Committee who could take the opinion of the members as, to whether the department should he carried on or
not.
"The Chamber trusts that the Govern- ment will find it possible to resume the compilation of the Trade Statistics at
The CHAIRMAN remarked that the saving was larger than 841,000. It was $70,000), apart from the housing of the Office.
Hon. Mr. HOLYDAK also read extracts on the subject from the Report of the
NO UNANIMITY.
The CHAIRMAN said he did not think the Chamber was quite unanimous on the subject.
Hon. Mr. HOLYDAK: There never will be unanimity on this question, because shipping men will be opposed to it be cause of the extra trouble necessary in. connection with obtaining permits, and the holding up of shipping
Hon. Mr. Lasa; It does not inconveni
With reference to the Government's in which to discuss the matter and the letter from the Secretary of the Chamber cace the shipping offices to any extent
Chairman should carefully note that the
letter dated 29th March. I am directed to enquire whether the Shipping Sub-question had been discussed only by Committee of this Chamber may have the members of the shipping sub-committee. advantage of a discussion with the Statie The feeling of the general mercantile tical Officer of the Imports and Exports interests of the Chamber and the Colony Department on the subject of the sug was that a first-class port like Hangkong gested amendments to the regulations could not afford to stand alone in the under the Imports and Exports Ordinance world as lacking trade statistics No. 12 of 1929.
The CHAIRMAN A free, pors cannot "It is desired to discuss in connection Leep accurate statistics. with these amendments some suggestions!
whereby it is hoped that the clerical work of the statistical department shipping companies and merchants alike may he
reduced.
ریه
the
Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK: Even 10. air,
without them.
ון
Hon. Mr. BIRD: Can you tell us, sir, how many copies of the Trade Statistics were bought by merchants?
The CHAIRMAN: Very few. Mr. Lloyd cau pomilly tell us.
whatever. The permits were obtained by
the shipper or imparter.
The CHAIRMAN: Are the returns worth
the cost of their compilation
Hon Mr. POLLOCK: flas that meeting of the General Committee taken place ! The CHAIRMAN: Not to our knowledge. LETTER FROM THE CILINDER OF COMMERCE.
Hon. Mr. HotroAK" read the following of Commerce to the Government dated December 11th, 1925-
"I have the honour to refer to the decision of the Government to abolish
Hon. Mr. LANG: That is a point I can- the Statistical Brunch of the Importa
oneself what use can be made of these and Exports Department as from ist aut give an opinion on. One must nak October, 1825, announced in a letter to Agures? I cannot see myself that they the Chamber from the Superintendent of are of very great use to merchants.
imports and Exports, dated 25th Septem- The CHAIRMAN That is the opinion of ber. This decision has been carefully the Government. considered by several Committees of the Chamber and they are unanimous in arging that trade statistics are of vita! service to the commerce of the Colony.
Hon. Mr. Lasao: It has been my opinion all through, but my colleagues out voted me and I could only bow to their opinion." The CHAIRMAN repeated he bad been asked to lay the subject before the Com- mittec in order to see whether any reasons which might possibly be convine. ing could be given to His Excellency why the Government's decision should be reversed.
statisties can be kept within a certain and that the Statistical Branch should degrees of exactitude, and can be made be reinstated, the system of Import and ExportDeclarations being revived in more useful by more sub-division than order to provide the material from which in the past. The returns of imports and the statistics are compiled. exports are of immense service both to "It appears from discussions during the A REPORT BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.
the Budget that the con- Hon. Mr. LANG: If I could ascertain. this Colony and to people at house. The introduction Mr. Lloyd's Report, made to
sideration of expense weighed largely what use these figures are I might change comparatively small sun per annum in with the Government in deciding to my mind. I certainly purchased every Colonial Secretary, stated:
"As directed, I attended a meeting of yolved is well worth spending on it, and abandon the compilation of statistics. quarter two or three copies which I keep cannot remember it is a penny wise pound foolish policy The Chamber would urge that the saving in my office, but I the Shipping Sub-Committee of the Cham-
of $44,000.00 achieved by closing the having referred to them for a consider. Branch, of comparatively small ac- able time. I also sent some bome, hut ber of Commerce to discuss the proposed not to compile these statistics. They are amendments to the Ordinance for the essential and we cannot afford to de count in comparison with the normal my people did not think the figures quite
trade of the Port. which last year. accurate. registration of imports and exports.
amounted to £138,800,000. The statistics Hon. Mr. HOLTOAX commented that : The CHAIRMAN : The opinion of the provide information of great value res they desired, for instance, to find out "The Rub-Committee at once raised the Government is distinctly adverse, but pecting foreign competition with British what had been the effect of recent condi- whole question of permits; they pointed His Excellency is naxious to see whether goods, the movement of commodities, and tions in the Colony those statistics were out the trouble in getting permits hefore any convincing "reasons can be put for the fluctuations which occur from time to necessary
The CHAIRMAN: Are they worth the shipping or taking delivery of cargo.ward to justify a reconsideration of the time in the staple trades of the Colony,
for example, the rice trade, which in money! They suggested that all permits should decision..
recent years has passed through vicis- Hon. Mr. HoLYOAK: In itself, perhaps be abolished and in place the steamship
situdes clearly indicated in the statistics. not, but it is anomalous that such a trad companies should furnish particulars of
Statistical Branch the effect of the anti-them.
Through the present suspension of the ing port as Hongkong should be without all cargo or that merchants should be
British Boycots upon the Colony's trade THE CHINESE CUSTOMS REPORTS. called on to furnish a periodical refurr
can only be vaguely estimated, although
Hon Mr. LANG: Is it not possible to of all "cargo shipped or imported.
it is of the greatest importance to know "The Committee expressed the view that
Mr. J. D. Lloye, Superintendent of the precisely as possible the strength and get practically all, the information that effectiveness of the attack now being made is necessary from the Chinese Maritime collection of figures for purely Chinese Imports and Exports Department, who upon the Colony's vital resources. This Customs reports? Hongkong is only a exports and imports by coasting ships attended the meeting by request, said year... Export Trade is principally distributing centre and most of the goods was mere waste of time and money and that in 1923 the total number of the affected, but in 1926, the full effect will exported from bere naturally go through that the Chinese merchants did not make Returns sold was about 284. This repre- begin to be felt upon Import Trade, and the Chinese Maritime Customs to the
sented sales for the whole year, in which it will be highly desirable to resume the consuming districts. any use of the statistics at all. It was
compilation of statistics with the begin suggested that the keeping of statistics ave sets of Returns were issued.
Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK: The value of the ning of the year, in order that the hiatus should be confined to the import and Department cannot be estimated by the may be as far as practicable reduced.
As to possible means of reducing the export of cargo from and to foreign conn- sale of the Reports.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that the Com- cost of compiling statistics, it appears to tries other than China and the neighbour.
Hon Mr. KOTEWALL replied that two ing porta, such as Singapore, Manila,mittee must consider the matter as a this Chamber that clerical work might Formosa and Boraco, The Committed whole. The expenses of compiling and be lessened by classifying Chinese cargo years ago the matter was considered.
under as few headings na possible. The CHAIRMAN: There was no great were very sceptical as to the value of publishing these Returns would be 870.000, trade figures at all, and doubted whether and in addition accommodation must be The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, enthusiasm about it?
rather large staff in a letter to this body dated 27th Hoa. Mr. KoraWALL: My hon, colleague the keeping of any figures was worth the provided for
required,
May, 1924, expressed the opinion that and I would ask that an opportunity he time, money and bother involved. Only
the statistics of Chinese Trade with given to the Chinese Chamber of Com two, members diasented from this view:
not much mercé to have the matter considered" Much emphasis was laid on Freedom of Hon. Mr. Hoctor said the Chamber Far Eastern Ports have the Port.'
of Commerce considered it a retrograde value to the Chinese shipping and again by the General Committee.
Totals cannot be Finally the further discussion of the trading community. Some of the shipping representatives step to close the office. It was obvious neglected, because the purely Chinese subject was adjourned in order that both information in a sufficiently accurate that the hipping community would be information ja a "sufficiently # accurate opposed to it on general grounds because trade forms so large a proportion of the Chambers of. Commerce might consider form could be rendered by the shipping it gave them good deal of trouble. whole, but until Chinese merchants ex-it, the Chairman remarking that it was companies supplying a manifest in a Whilst unquestionably the compilation of press a desire for differentiation of not entirely a question of the expense of slightly fuller form than at present, with these Returns meant a great dent of particular items it is considered that the Department but inconvenience to the values inserted, the amounts being guess extra work, yet after the system had been native trade might be treated under a community was also to be considered,
Hon. Sir SHOU SO CHоw: We should ed from the standard packing usually in operation some time, it began to work few general beadings for Statistical pur- employed by various trades. Many mem- quite smoothly.
poses, and the Department concentrate on like the Government to write officially to bers did not see why values should be Hon Mr. BIRD inquired why the Cham- articles of foreign, commerce, in regard the Chamber of Commerce.
The CHAIRMAN said that would be. wanted at all; the merchant interested ber of Commerce appointed a subcom to which statistior are generally desired, only wanted quantities. I pointed out mittes to consider the matter.
and are more securátély obtainable.
done.
the
A RETROGRADE STEP,
CHINESE OPINION.
The CHAIRMAN asked the Chinese mem- bors of the Committee whether the statis tics were of any particular value to Chinese merchants.