Of the several varieties of opium exported, Malwa decreased by 7351 chests or 138 per cent., Patna by 5,317 chests or 27 per cent, Benares by 2,273 chests or 28-8 per cent., and Persian by 517 chests
per cent.
or 18.8
The trade in Compounds of Opium and Morphia also declined considerably. In the former imports fell by 43 per cent. and exports by 47 per cent., while in the latter the decreases were 96 per cent. and 44 per cent. respectively,
Sugar-The imports of Sugar show a considerable decrease of 94,528 tons, or 278 per cent, as against an increase of 89,766 tons last year. This seems to be due to an overstocked market with prices ruling low.
Cotton and Cotton Yarn.-Here is shown, again, a large increase of 10,114 tons, or 157 per cent., added to the increase reported last year. This seems to be borne out by facts, though the increase was in yarn entirely, hardly any cotton having been imported (owing to the high prices ruling in India, and the Chinese product being exceptionally cheap and of good quality this year). The yarn market, though considerable fluctuations in price occurred during the year, was strong, and the demand being great and prices generally favourable, large imports were made.
Flour. Here our returns show the enormous falling off of 26,279 tons or 449 per cent. This was due to the virtual cessation of the flour trade in the Colony during the first six months of the year, owing to high prices of American flour, and the competition of the Shanghai Mills, which shipped their products direct to Chinese ports, instead of to Hongkong, for distribution. Matters improved during the last six months, owing to the Shanghai Mills being short of wheat, while such as they had was of poor quality. The result was a recrudescence of trade with Hongkong on the part of Canton, Amoy, Foochow, etc., which ports had previously been served by Shanghai, and the import of American four immediately recommenced, in unusally large quantities.
Rice.--There is an increase in this item of 183,662 tons, or 33-9 per cent.
This large rise is undoubtedly due to the almost total failure of the Chinese first crops, owing to the continued drought in the spring and summer, and to the partial failure of the second crop in parts of Kwangtung. The demand for Saigon and Bangkok rice was consequently unusually large, and the supply was equal to the denund. However, during November shipments declined, because the local supply was sufficient for the needs of the districts. In December, shipments increased, owing to renewed demands from the interior.
The total reported Imports during the year amounted to 4.298,104 tons, as against 4,195,968 tons in 1909, an increase of 102,226 tons or 24 per cent. Exports also show an increase of 23,000 tons, or 102 per cent. Transit cargo shows a decrease, of
--9--
12,039 tons, or 03 per cent. These figures are not, however, reliable, there being no means of collecting accurate information, in the absence of any Customs Staff.
Emigration and Immigration.
One hundred and eleven thousand and fifty-eight (111,058) Emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year 1910. (77,430 in 1909) Of these 79,851 were carried in British ships and 31,207 in Foreign ships. These figures show a large increase, compared with those for 1909, of 33,628 (or 434 %), which is accounted for by the largely increased emigration to the Federated Malay States to provide labour for the Rubber Plantations.
Statement of Number of Emigrants to Straits Settlements 1906 to 1910 compared with Total Chinese Emigration 1906 to 1910.
1906,
1907,
1908,
1909.
1910,.
No of Emigrants
to
Straits Settlements.
Total No. of Emigrants.
60,320
70,725
83,048
105,967
49,039
71,081
48,016
77.430
76,705
111,058
One hundred and forty-nine thousand five hundred and sixty-four (149,564) returning emigrants are reported to have been brought to Hongkong from the several places to which they had emigrated, either from this Colony or from Coast Ports, as against 144,821 in 1909. Of these 108,346 arrived in British ships, and 41,218 in Foreign ships.
(b) INDUSTRIES,
(1.).—Under European Management.
Engineering and Shipbuilding. This industry has improved during the year under review.
41910
Taikoo Dockyard and Eng. Co., L., & vessels of 2,231 gross tons and 1,718 1 HongKong & Whampoa fock Co., 1.2, là
W. 8. Bailey & Co....
Macdonald & Co....
Ulderup and Schluter,.
-
Total,
J
1
3
715
"
F1
2,070
121
:
200-
169
160
317
150
31 vessels df 3,553 gross tons and 4,298 I.H.P.
Taikoo Dockyard and Eng. Co., TT.,... 10 vessels of 380 gross tons and Hougkong & Whampoa Dock Co., Ld., 15
W. S. Bailey & Co.,
3
Ulderup and Schluter,.
17
Total,
1909.
400 H.I.P.
1,554
150
T2
#1
R
58
60
19
146
200
7
45 vessels of 2,138 gross tons and 1,410 L.II.P.
50