REMEMBER TEL. No. 977
MERCURY GARAGE
HIGH PRICES OF RICE-
THEIR CAUSES EXPLAINED, FRANK OPINION OF JAPANESE HOUSE
("Hongkong Telepip!" Special. There are many in the Colony who are obsessed with the view that the Japanese have been largely instrumental in bringing the rice situation to a serious head. Some wild reports of the manipulations of the Japanese have gained wide currency. have stories of tactics that Japanese exporting houses
as
to
the
in
THE MOST
MODERN CARS IN TOWN.
advan
the
rice in Safgon cost 8 piastres, the fea for a loance is & piastres; alto gether, the cost amonts to, for instance, 16 pilastron Lob. Saigon. This is abnormal. Also: ex- change from Saigon to Hongkong has advanced rapidly, from about 4 to 40 per cent, recently, on account of money being tight in Saigon. There is no cash in Saigon because there are no imports into the country. That is the rea- son why cash is not coming into the market there. Somebody in Saigon has apparently formed a syndicate to sell licences. We buy from them the rice and the licence. But for these wretche licences the price of rice would not be so high. Supposing the about Shanghai ?" asked our representative.
price of rice is $15 per pical. The price of a licence is likewise, so "Some rice has been exported that the consumer instead of from Shanghai ander special having to pay $15 pays $50. arrangements between the Have you any criticisms to Chinese and Japanese Govern- offer against the Hongkong ments. I wish to explain why Government's rice scheme? the demand from Japan asked our representative. accumulated in Hoogkong. It is
"The Government scheme because Saigon exports have been does not affect us." restricted.
Otherwise Japan "Why?" would have purchased direct from Saigon. She has now to fall back upon Hongkong, as she is getting very little from Saigon."
+
The
"What
"Because,
far they have allowed us to ship our purchases hade here. Their re strictions are not strict."
"You do not handle tranship- ment cargoes of rice ?"
"You expect the new crop in Japan very soon." remarked our rice-representative...
"We do, of course, but there are alleged "Yes, in October or November: are no restrictions whatever have adopted ⚫
prospects are yet against transhipment of rice. For boosting prices. One such story unknow. We have not passed every transhipment cargo of rice accused the Japanese of the critical stage in the crop when we get a certificate from the continually buying and selling storms and rain may destroy the British Consul at Saigon or any to Chinese and giving the latter whole crop. These usually occur port of shipment. With this such handsome prosts on their about next month, and until the certificate we can re-ship without that they crisis is passed we cannot make any hindrance. As I have said, purchase price induced the Chinese merchants
any forecast. If the crop proves we are not experiencing say after to be satisfactory, the demand for difficulty in handlingtranshipping to come in again
rice the disposal of their stocks. foreign
will naturally cargo." thus helping to establish a higher decrease- That's what we Are you desirous of seeing level of prices.
the present prices maintained ?** Are Japanese merchants "If we can, we like to keep speculating in rice in Hong-market prices down. We are not kong?" asked our interviewer. trying to put up the prices. On "No. Japanese merchants only the contrary, we try to put them to buy for the Japanese Government down, so we are buying slowly. get a frank view of the whole for immediate requirements. They Sometimes we have to pay very matter from a reliable Japanese firm in Hongkong. which is greatly interested in the export of rice, and it is principally through the courtesy of its man ager that we are to-day in Fosition present this.view."
ረሱ
In view of the conflicting of the machinations reports of the Jap_nese merchants
the local rice
advisable thought it
in:..
же
trade,
expect."
are not cornering the stocks at all."
„never try to secure the whole of
of them. It is impossible."
high rates owing to competition. There are many buyers besides "Do you buy all the stocks that fus. Our connections with the come in daily or weekly from Hongkong Government have been Saigon and thus compete with very smooth, and we have no the Rice Controller?"
complaints to make against them. No. These cargoes are put up I may mention that some of the The Manager, in opening the for open sale when everybody can Japanese merchants have sold conversation, said "We are dobid, and we get generally a part a portion of their stocks ing business in the ordinary way of it, and not the whole. We to the Eongkong Government." according to the instructions of the Japanese Government. We are buying for the Japanese Gor. ernment. The Superintendent of Imports and Exports has renewed most of our permits, while some of them are under consideration. I should say, he has not been very strict with us. Rice-exporting is the foremost business of Hong-
We kong.
cannot do any business except.
with Japan. Suppose any orders come from America we
cannot entertain them."
"Why?," asked the inter-
viewer.
"Because the demand from Japan is so acute that every available quantity of rice must naturally be tried to be shipped to Japan.
"I wish to emphasise," said our representative, "one point to you. I have read that Japan is exporting rice today."
Oh, no, no. We used to get our rice from Japan. We are accustomed to eating Japanese
rice.
We have now to live on
Chinese and other foreign rice. We do not like it, but we are compelled to consume it
"How long have you been buy- ing rice for the Japanese Govern- ment?"
"Since
the middle of last
asked
RICE SNATCHERS.
month. We are authorised to to six weeks hard labour for A Chinese was to-day sentenced buy a certain quantity."
snatching a bag of rice from an you other man in Borham Strand open West yesterday. The man said our that a rice shop in Bonham Strand West was looted yesterday. and he obtained the 150 catties by sweeping together the rice which was scattered all over the street The Magistrate, in passing the sentence, said that there was no excuse, as free congee was being distributed by the Chinese gentry.
How much have purchased in the market since?" representative.
We have bought about 20,000 tons in Hongkong. Others, and I mean other Japanese firms, have purchased 20,000 tons more, making altogether 40,000 tons."
"Can we safely state that owing to the pressing demand for rice from Japan, the local prices have jumped so high? enquired our interviewer.
Chinese received six months. He For a like offence, another snatched a bag of rice containing 2 Na What aggravated matters 47 catties, from a Chinese woman was the demand from Ceylon who was carrying it on her and Europe, which countries shoulder
in Morrison Street, came into this market for rice yesterday.
the at
same time 28 Japan That is one reason for the rapid advances in prices."
"You have been accused out- side of inanipulating the market by giving the Chinese rice mer- chant big profits on his stocks,
The demand for rice in Japan is buying them and then re-selling
CHILDREN'S CONSTIPATION.
BABY'S OWN TABLETS A SAFE-
AND SIMPLE REMEDY.
The careful mother will always very acute. Japan does not im-to him, and again re-purchasing safeguard her infant or young port rice to trade in it, but for her them at a higher price, thus help children against constipation. consumption."
What is the quantity of rice ing to stabilise the higher prices." Care in feeding and the admis
at present awaiting shipment to Japan
The Japanese merchants have about 15,000 tons of rice in stock for export to Japan.'
"Is it true that you are export- ing rice to Vladivostock?" asked the interviewer.
"No. It is impossible. We bave not sent a grain of rice to Vladivostock."
What is the present volume of rice exports from Hongkong to Тарап"
That is a very difficult ques tion. Thedeficiency ofricain Japan is so great that you cannot satisfy that country, so that any quantity available will be shipped to Japan. I would say that there are 70,000 toua short in Japan. This is the monthly deficiency, which means eight lahks of tons annually."
What is the quantity of rice tom Hongkong to Japan
That is absolutely false. Itration of Baby's Own Tablets will explain to you. Before we when necessary are the best received the Government orders means of prevention and cure... from Japan we had been buying Mrs. Albert Grout, of 512 rice for our own branch office in Smith Street, Providence, Rhode the United States, but we had Island, writes:
to re-sell it here owing to "My baby was so constipated the wide fluctuations in the rates that I did not know what to do there. Prices in America at the for her. Then I learned of Baby's time were at a disadvantage, and Own Tablets and since she bas we had to sell here. After that, taken them she has been entirely we received an order from the well. I am. glad to recommend Japanese Government, and that the Tablets to all mothers and very cargo we had to buy back would not think of being without at a higher rate. This does not them myself.”:/ mean that we have been taking To mothers everywhere Baby's profits. We are not interested Own Tableta, the Canadian in the local rice market in any chidren's remedy, are: s resi other way,"
friend. They are equally harm- Do you think that the prices of loss and helpful to the youngest rice in Hongkong are unnecess infant as to the child of 8 years arily high?" enquired our res presentative
"No, I do not think so."
Why
I should say.
17 Saigon are unne
hese shipped about and the Hongkong
rice to Japan last fallon
is not sufficient
Se
or more, are a specific for, gestion, colic,
hinges
lover and
Diote
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1.
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A CHOLERA SCARE
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When the Europeand Came on board they ed that they could not
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