THE HONGKONG
TELA \PH
TRADE OF SOUTH CHINA.
tow-
THE BURDEN OF CIVIL WAR.
to have been reached, and there
ENCOURAGE TEA.
"SUICIDAL POLITICAL
RIVALRY."
CANADIAN. SHIPBUILDING,
WILL IT BE ALLOWED TO DIE!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6. 1919.
in the first three years of and while since the war she has the war, bus patriotism, combined become a large manufacturer, the with an optimism as to the future, basis of her wealth still rests compelled them to carry on," upon her wonderful inherent re- and to await patiently the day of sources of forest, field, and mine, better things. Are they, then, to and any subbstantial development be sacrificed on the altar of nat-of these will be predicated largely ions selfishness, or will Canada on a substantial Canadian mer- justify their faith in her?
chant marine..
Then there is the economic side.
ment all being manufactured need.
some
But
DO Goverment
Ships will go where the freighta|
GERMAN TRADE.
THE SHORTAGE OF RAW MATERIALS.
of
about
Some
Was
materials. In
(b) The prices are approximata- ly 200-400 per cent. up on the pre-war basis.
(c) The German firm arranges all the necessary export re- gulations and shipping, leav
2. Writing stationery. This, of course, was all the mual German quality of flatpaper. No manilla paper whatsoever was exhibited.
Many of the factories are olos- ing the import side to the im-ed owing to the lack of my porter. Cash must be de-materials, and the larger con posited in the German, bank cerns, who are keeping on the on the receipt of invoice that majority of their employes, are the goods are ready to be des working at about one-third of patched, or, in some cases, their maximum output. that they have already been Summarising the position the forwarded.
conditions show that owing to
(d) International "hanking re- lack of raw materials, the better sulations with England have grades of paper and stationery not yet been re-established in cannot be produced, and the the unoccupied area, al-export and home orders combined though for the last six months for lower grades only amount to considerable amount of about $3 per cent of the possible business has been transacted output A great part of this low- with Holland, Norway grade material has gone to South Sweden, Spain, and North America. The British manufac and Squth America.
turer apparently has little to fear from the German as for as the paper industry is concerned.
(e) A very high proportion of the goods sold during the last six months has been for ex-' port.
(f) The chief factor limiting
output is coal.
prices.
TOYS.
PORCELAIN AND CROCKERY, This industry was well repre- sented, and on all sides it was stated that they had sufficient orders, particularly from America, to keep them going for months, but that the bulk of their factories were closed down due to shortage of coal, which they see little hope of obtaining. In the luxury trade there was very good business done, both German and foreign boyers purchasing the most
expensive
of
cheap and batter class, which the
ALUMINIUM WARE.
One rather fine exhibition" of
cigarette cases. &c., was seen. aluminium kitchen utensils,
The following article recently appeared in a Montreal magazine called the By Water. The article In continuation of the report] part of the province.
is written by Gamault Agassiz : Cotton by the Commissioner of Customs yarn is in constant demand, Shipbuilding has become one of the question, not one as to the look most attractive, and the best on the trade of the Southern but the Shanghai-milled article of the most important industries effect of an abandonment of the guarantee Canada can have that is rapidly coming to the fore of Canada. Confined to no one industry-on the distant future of her ports will not be discriminated ports, the following extracts are and has a good chance to section, it affects tremendously the nation, but one that concerns against is sufficient ships to taken from the sections dealing monopolize a fair percentage of the entire economic fabric of the the immediate welfare of Canada's make her.independent of outside with Foochow, Amoy, and Swathe trade. Again, foreign sheetings Dominion. In its huge and wide industrial fabric. The shipyard control. The wisdom of the and drills are finding a seriously distributed plants thousands workers of Canada have been Government's plan for ■ mer- A general review of the trade rival in the Chinese article. The upon thousands of skilled work-taught almost all they know. chant marine has been already net import value of Chinese sheet-men find constant and remuner-Many of them had never bad any evidenced, but it will be neces "of Foochow shows that ini
ings and drills in 1918 amounted alive employment, while so far shop experience until entering the sary for Canada's ocean tonnage practically every respect the con- to Hk. Ths. 68,526 and Hk. 11s.tung. are its ramifications that service of a shipyard. They have to be very much larger than at ditions în 1918 differ very slightly 90,511 respectively, while the to-day there are few manufactur- become efficient through long ex-present, and "for that matter! from those of the year preceding importations from abroad total ing establishments in the country perience and specialisation with larger than any single govern- War restrictions, lack of shippine 39,303. The figures for 1913 were: sure of their prosperity.
only H. Tls. 1,476 and Hk. Tls. that do not look to it for a mea- the result that they commandment or corporation could attempt
higher wages than the mechanics to operate, if this happy condition. no outlet for local teas; the ery Chinese, nil; and foreign, Hk. Tis. Splendid examples of modern of any other industry in the is to be realised. is the same. The low-water 81 and Hk. Tls. 75,095. Cotton industrial plants are Canada's country. But it is open to quest- Shipbuilding has become a mark of the tea trade would seem yarn imported from abroad in 1918 shipyards, and they represent an ion whether they could obtain wighty force in our national life. amounted to 8,205 piculs, while investment of not only many employment as skilled mechanics It employs many thousands of is some hope that, as more peace 12,145 picula. For the sake of asset that, wisely conserved, will their accustomed scale of remun- very largely to
Chinese yarn showed a total of millions of dollars, but a national in any other field, certainly not a skilled workmen. "It contributes the national ful conditions prevail, the trade;
comparison, the figures in 1913be of untold benefit to the Do-eration. How then is Canada to wealth. It provides 113 with will again assume Its more were: foreign. 35,129 picuis; and minion and to posterity, for in so absorb this army of specialised the ships that our foreign trade legitimate position ameng the Chinese, 12,549 piculs. The year far as Canada's future greatness labour? Certainly, it must not so badly needs. Canada must
(g) Patents. Much specialised staple exports of the district. The 1913 has been selected, as it was lies in her ability to develop her be permitted to go unemployed not let it die!
new machinery was seen, and possibilities of resumption of an exceptionally good year and is foreign trade in every corner of
ir. many cases the Germans Nor can one over-estimate the business with the principal Euro-view of a standard and an indica- that ability lie in her possession the skilled labour that is being convenient both from the point of the earth, so, conversely, will importance to the Dominion of
are only too willing to sell the covering patents to for- pean countries were comparative tion of trade possibilities. Aniline of a merchant marine sufficiently trained in the country's ship-
eign manufacturers, ly good at the end of the year. dyes were imported to the value large to guarantee her a certain yards. Each year these mechanics
With regard to patents this with the exception of the Russian of Hk. Tis. $.907 in 1918: the independence of the ships of other are becoming more efficient,
feature would appear to be one of
Meisen-class market. Foochow tea is by ne figure in 1913 was Hk. Tis. 37,791. nations for the carriage of her and when they have become so
the most important facts brought porcelain, particularly coloured means a dying trade, but it has There has always been a fair products: a truism eloquently trained as to be equal in skill to
A good opportunity of studying to light during the whole fair, and enamelled arts, figures, etc., to labour under distressingly market for machinery, and the demonstrated in the late war. the workers of Great Britain they the present conditions in the prin- and if expert technical men had the home demand probably being unfavourable conditions. It importations in 1918 were valued
Canada's shipyards are not will constitute a national asset cipal German industries, and also been present representing British due to the desire of every German must be again pointed out at Hk. Tls. 63.973. Electri- only turning out splendid ships, that will not be computable in the ability of the Germans to re-firms in the various industries to transfer his marks into jewels, that, although tea is one of the cal materials and fittings, fully equal to the best Britain dollars." staple exports, it is not necessari all of which came from Japan, can produce, and so acknow
establish their export trade on they would have found much of
or any such permanent articles ly the only one, the importance reached a total of Hk. Tls. 67.891. ledged by Lloyd's but ships thai Canada are quite active at pre Germany's ability to purchase is called to the fact that the and kitchen crockery of both the Many of the shipyards of which not only the solvency of vital interest to them in this re- of value as fine porcelain. There the country depends. but also spect. In this connection notice was a heavy demand for table of the trade depending principally American and Sumatra oils show are Canadian in every sense of sent, because of the Government on the fact that it is practically an increase of 776.832 and 180,612 the word. their castings, propell-programme that is giving them commodities from the United Frankfurt Fair" is being held the only one which has a tangible gallons respectively, while Borneo and direct bearing on the port's and Japanese oils have decreased ing machinery, and deck equip-sufficient tonnage for immediate Kingdom, and pay some portion at Frankfurt-am-Main from 181-trade was buzelessly unable to
15th October, when there will be of the indemnity to which she is foreign exchange. paper, both of which show a (import in 1917. 409.000 gallons) plates alone come from across finitely, certainly
Timber and the latter by over 230,000 gallons within the Dominion. The steel programme can continue inde. commmitted, is afforded by the represented a large proportion of est due again to coal shortag
the engineering firms referred to larger export value than tea, The import of foreign sugar of all the border, and, with the com-present cost per ton. and it will Leipzic. in September.
not at the German National Fair. held at
above and thus another opport- come for the most part under the kinds holds a very importan: posi-pletion of the Dominion Steel be necessary for the yards to look hibited, and there was a record manufacturers to benefit by the 10.000 firms, mostly German, er unity is afforded for British category of domestic exchange tion. and are responsible for the intro-
Company's new plate rolling mill to Canadian private account and
"The head of the firm concerned at Sydney
time
118,000 careful study of exhibits. duction of comparatively little
this to foreign Governments and ship attendance
stated that due to the coal foreign capital. Three-quarters
autumn, these also will be pro- owners for their orders. And to do people, about 20 per cent. more duced in Canada. This is one of this they will have to compete than in any previous year. It of the timber trade is domestic,
shortage in Germany, there were " Second only to the engineering now not more than 400 tons per Political turmoils and local dis- the few large manufacturing with the shipyards of the world, was computed that there were and what should be a rich nation- turbances during the rear were industries in Canada that does which, under existing conditions some 7,000 foreign buyers present. exhibits were those of the toy month of raw alminium blocks al asset is being reduced annually again primarily responsible for a not depend to some extent at is impossible. For it is fallacous to
The general inipression gather trade. There was a larger and produced out of a possible total through prodigal exploitation set-back in the trade of Amoy for least on foreign industry for the suppose that the Canadian ship-
ed form conversation with
more representative exhibit of output of 4.000 tons. He further with very inadequate provision 1718, the net value of which successful completion of
exhibitors representative
toys that in any other year. I stated that he had Looked up for the future in the shape of showed a further decrease, by product.
its builder will be able to meet world that nearly all branches of Geras stated on all sides that the orders at the Fair to keep his reafforestation.
competition until such time as Caparison with the previous
factories were at a standstill, and factory in Hamburg going for six year. of 16 per cent. Foreign with the alternative of granting
Today Canada is confronted the industry in this country has man industry are on the verge the greatest efforts were about to months, and that many more
been established on
of bankrupcy, due principally a permanent
be made to re-establish the orders could have been accepted There is thus an econo ical Tis. 250,000, native imports
imports show a shortage of adequate protection of its basis. basis. It is the honest belief of to the shortage of coal and German toy exports by offering if the raw aluminium could have balance of, trade at Fonebow shortage of Hk. Tls. 1,900,000 and
secondly to the loss of export which is distinctly unfavourable, exports of local origin a shortage yards will have to be abandoned, with a continuous programme trade, which carries with it the and it is to the interest of every of over Hk. Tls. 500.000 in value struggle along in the precarious time will come when they will le
and the remainder have to covering the next few years, the inability to purchase much need articles at the lowest possible tracts were made with German,
ed foreign raw
In the doll trade it American and Dutch buyers.. one having dealings with the Other influences which adversely condition that unhapily has been able to build for home and foreign order to assist in forcing a wedge tively few actual sales made atį
appears there had been compara- BUILDING TRADE (CONSTRUCT- Fondhow, market to encourage affected the trade were the high the lot of the shipbuilders since account in competition with the into foreign markets, the Germen the fair, although many foreign the production and the export of and constantly fluctuating silver the day of the passing of the world.
IONAL MATERIAL). tea abroad. If this trade is con-exchange, the shortage oftonnage, clipper that made the name of
manufacturer has concentrated; buyers displayed great interest. The exhibits in this department ducted in a menner least likely to and, above all.
on new mechanical devices and If shipbuilding is to continue a novelties, which were much in and it is thought that possibly were of interest as showing the produce the best resuits, as it rivalry between the so-called Canada famous throughout the force in the industrial life of evidence at the fair. Most of the Purchases will be effected later efforts being made to offer the admittedly is, then an associa- Northern and Southern factions world.
Canada, it will have to be devel German representatives inclined The dolls in most cases were German public materials which tion 15 govern the local of the Chinese political leaders The shipbuilders of Canada oped along lines that will ensure to the opinion that they would pourly clothed and made of cheap require less coal for their manu- interests is indicated in order to which kept this district-bordering stand at the parting of the ways, stability and permanenc?. At recover their export trade through) material. Better class dolls were facture than those used in the rectify this and to aid in adjust as it does on the Canton province Either there must be a prolonged present its position is precarious American and neutral buyers. four or five times pre-war prices. past. Many machines used in ing the financial position of the in a state of perpetual unrest continuation of the Government and to survive it must be accorded and that much as they would shortage of raw materials (cotton materials from various factory the reason being, of course, the the manufacture of substitute port. A regular tea growers' as- Local banditti seized the opport-building
the national support. The cardinal prefer to re-establish their pre-wool, and linen), which the Ger-waste products were in evidence. sociation may. perhaps,
trading connection unity to develop open activity, in builders must be granted a bonas, need of any shipbuilding plant is beyond the pale
of practical many places styling themselves preferably on the basis of continuous activity. politics for the present, but the man-chun and levsing arbitrary tons constructed. until such building is quite unlike any other due to the hostility of the
of substitutes were offered in lieu of formation of an association, taxes on trade. The belligerents time as the shipyards of the branch of industry in the: while English towards them, they had this reason that they are in no about half its weight in coal for exchange. It would appear for Portland cement, which requires elected and, of a necessity, under themselves had recourse to levies country have passed through the the chief requisite is killed better concentrate on America position to export the better class its manufacture. Much artificial Government recognition and of all sorts in order to obtain period of transition that now cun labour, that becomes skilled only and the neutral nations surround- support, which would make funds for so-called military pur- fronts them, so that established through constant employment in ing Germany.
of doll
marble (from Gypsum) was also real attempt to improve
and poses.
On all sides were offered. At several places they firmly on a peace basis, they will the same yard. In other words,
Toys made of wood were much reen. maintain the trade by practical collected contributions through be able in time not only to be the efficiency of any shipbuilding
in evidence. In this case, due rogaudy substiutes in lieu of the The most important exhibits, the abundance of wood in Ger- genuine article. to the desired benefits which. for the barriers, they estabished oneven terms with the yards cfi stability of its organisation, and from point of view of German many; the prices were very low, i means, would undoubtedly lead the chambers of commerce, while self-sustaining but to compete on plant depends largely on th the present, are impracticable in the trading routes ostensibly for others countries "for world busi- the only way to ensure that export, were those of the, technic-and it was stated that consider-
stability is in keeping the oral section, including all types of able sales had been made to mostly made of shoddy, and there their attainment. It would be, searching eneiny agents were also ness.
The textile exhibits were poor, in fact, out of the question to used for further exactions. Taking
new machine tools, mechanical neutrals, particularly to Holland. was also a great display of paper ganisation intact. It is nut expect the tea trade in its pres all these Fonsiderations into tical and patriotic reason for the nittent orders, no matter. hor novelties. In
In addition to the sound. prac enough that a yard have inter- and electrical devices and sent condition to provide the account, it is remarkable that maintenance and extension of the large, but that the" orders be the Germans were in a position prices.
Stuffed animals were very expen-carpets, rugs, tablecloths, &c." this industry, sive
compared with pre-war The prices of these paper textiles means, and it could only be by trade generally showed as much shipbuilding industry, there is suficient to keep it in constant to fill orders quickly and in many to shortage of raw matarials such rugs, which at a distance looked Here, again, this is due were high; for instance, paper strong outside practical and fin-vitality as it did, and it may con- also a sentimental reason that oteration at full capacity. High cases had considerable stocks on as felt and cotton. ancial support that any measure fidently be expected that as soon should not be disregarded, because
Few sales like the genuine article, wese of success could be anticipated. de peace and quiet are restored it involves the moral obligation of wages can be justified only by hard, due to the fact that, firstly, It is not suggested that any the return wave of prosperity will national honour.
but foreign about double the pre-war price. Many of the large and constant production, they had not been short of iron buyers
interested radical departure from the pre- carry it to a point even beyond men who invested the money in
and these in turn can be guar.ore and coal during the war to the account of the novelty of the
on of the genuine article. sent native methods should be the high-water mark of previous this industry did so more in
anteed only by continuous same exten: as industries relying design, and if there is a further A large hoisery manufacturer attempted; on the contrary, therol
And continuous on foreign raw materials; and drop in the value of the mark of Chemnitz stated that only 5 operation. spirit of patriotism than of commercial instinct. operation is in itself made pos. secondly, that there was little probably outsiders will purchase per cent. of the workers generally
The SWATOW.
The demand of the
sible only through the ability of haine demand to be met.
such stocks of these as exist for employed in the great hoisery
if manipulated in any other way. the trade of Swatow, which was be lost through lack of sufficient/gular and profitable con'racts.
Civil war severly handicapped for ships.
trade there were working, the lest the
the management to obtain re-mechanical engineering industry next Christmas trade.
depends upon foreign trade for its
factories either being closed down In any case it is doubtful if an the main base of operations in tonnage to maintain the armies demand that the shipbuilding in-cal Precision machinery, and stated, surpassed that of any this case was again due to short- stability, and is concentrating as The exhibition of mechanical or operating at a tenth of their attempt to introduce mechanical Fukien.
The interests of the Dominion much as possible on fine mechani toys was excellent, and, it is former capacity. The trouble in The people would
ever suc grievously burdened by forced workers in the factories. Existing dustry shall be maintained. Tarticles in which the raw material previous year both in novelty of age of raw materials and coal. cced, owing to the certain opposi labour and contributions towards Canadian shipyards were asked very moment peace has become and coal used bears as small a design and workmanship. Here, The manufacturer's opinion was tion it would create in labour the maintenance of the Southern to extend their plants beyond all & defined actuality the world will
extension of the present methods, which is less by 1.720,000 taels on capitalists and investors with ed. Trade expansion will be the
The accuracy of the work done toys were good and find a ready export trade, as the German home foreign fabric, the mechanical months before they would seek and the process could only be very then the total for 1917. Foreign the view of having new yards ambition of all nations, great and by the machinery exhibited, and market with neutrals. They can demand was, so great owing to gradual. To set up a daunting imports fell over 250,000 taels established. opposition would only be to court and native imports 1,890,000 taels. fallacy in Canada that the ship and infectious, and, forgetful of selves, left nothing to be desired, prices, due to the rate of ex-country. The price of foreign It is a common small. Optimism will be ripe, the finish of the machines them be exported at less than pre-war the shortage of textiles in the disaster, at any rate in the pro-Shipments of produce to foreign yards have paid huge dividends past experience, the present gen- except that every effort was made change. vince of Fukien, where tradition countries declined 55,000 taels, since the war, but, as a matter of eration will underwrite the tto avoid the use of brass. For
textiles for re-selling in Germany. is a fetish bowed down to by both but this drop is more than fact, few have been operated co Chinese and foreigner.
morrow to the last possible dol-instance, in lieu of expensive * PAPER AND PAPER MANU-
is prohibitive, as in this case the counter-balanced by the rise in a profitable basis. When the call lar, for from time immemorial it brass grease cups or cheap cast-
exchange affects both the price The net value of imports from the value of exports to Chinese for ships came, there were only a has been an accepted axiom that iron ores, the Germans were using abroad in 1918 amounted to Hk ports, the net result giving an small number of mechanics in posterity must pay.
There was very little variety of the raw materials and the e finely finished pressed steel in the goods displayed in the
labour manufacturing. Tis. 5,311,539, a slight decreass increase of 340,000 taels in native the country who knew anything)
article: .. compared with the preceding exports. Taking into considera-about shipbuilding.
Trade, it is said, follows the
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. paper and paper manufacturing Most of flag, and if this be.true, then the
The following points summarise section; in fact, the only articles It was stated that large sales Vide-exports show a falling tion the effects of the European Canada's manufacturing was of nations that capture any con- the general impressions conveyed available to any useful extent had been made in musical in- off of some 40 per cent. Imports war on shipping and business, a character that required no siderable portion of the trade of by this section- through the native customs from and the local conditions described specification. Therefore, it de- the world will be those nations
struments, especially pianos, in Formosa declined by nearly 32 already, this decline in trade will volved
1. Art prints of every conceiv-spite of the high prices prevailing." on each shipyard to whose flags are most conspicuous- per cent. Cotton goods showed aeroke no feeling of surprise.train its own organisation from ly represented on the high sess.
able description, comprising reduced importation, but there is Commodities of a cheap descrip- the ground up. and always a quick demand for avail- tion and bulky nature were much efficiency was the watchword the pioneer land, depending for Canada is in large measure a able supplies. There is a wide affected by the high freights, inefficiency maintained its sway her prosperity on her ability market for piece goods at Foo and this, as in the case of for many weary days. And the to export agricultural and other chow, the city being the principal beancake, reacted on iscal pro- loss was the builders'. Few yards raw distributing centre of the greater ductions, especially sugar.
products to the con- in the Dominion failed to lose suming markets of the world
Fears.
is no decided proof that China teas would not lose their dis-
tinguishing richness and fineness
labour
the suicidal
programme or
world
was cause
were in the field and the munition
with
Fu ship England they felt that at present, present unfavourable rate
mabs must purchase" at the Various relay and natural cement
TECHNICAL SECTION.
were made,..
were
TEXTILES.
circles. If an attempt were made. troops. The net value of trade normal reason, and every per- experience a wave of enthusiasm Percentage as possible to the unlike the doll trade, which that.even if the factories could it could only be in the way of an aggregated over 50.000.000 taeis, suasive effort was brought to bear such as history has never record- value of the finished article. depends to no small extent. on re-start at full outpat it would be
while
│|
(a) Delivery from stock can in; most cases be obtained for machine tools. In this con- nection the representative of a large Dresden firm stated that they had actually in stock 25-40 of each type, from the largest to the smallest machine,
were*****
FACTURES.
ཟ
JEWELLERY. all types of pictures, framed
Heavy purchases were made, and unframed, calendars, by both Germans and foreigners, postcards, blotting pads, and of expensive silver-ware and numerous styles of decorative jewellery. Here again the buyers printing. Excellent colour were probably purchasing in order work was the chief feature to transfer their paper money in this connection
into something more tang