The import of Japanese cotton cloth, which in 1902 and 1903 taken together was about 20,000 yards, rose to 18,000,000 yards in 1909, and was over 13,000,000 yards
in 1910.
7. If the figures for 1902 and 1903 are contrasted with those for 1909 and 1910,
>> which for the reasons given above would seem to give a fairer comparison, the decrease is less marked, and is more than balanced by the increase in the import of jeans.
The tables given in connection with the previous question are applicable in this instance.
That there can be no particular advantage for Japanese in importing viâ Dairen is clearly shown by the following figures :-
5
12. It is held that the opening statement of this paragraph is not strictly accurate. Consideration of the footnote, to which allusion is here made, does not suggest irregularity in the slightest degree. While being in agreement that strict accuracy in returning actual arrivals of commodities would be of considerable benefit, it is felt that the question is one for submission to the inspector-general of customs, under whose authority or sanction the present method is adopted.
year.
13. It is well known that imports were rushed into Dairen in the early part of 1907 in view of the opening of the custom-house which took place in July of that It must be remembered that throughout 1907 and the first half of 1908, i.e., until the completion of the broad gauge, few railway facilities were given by the South Manchurian Railway for the transport of goods, and consequently during this period there was an accumulation of stocks at Dairen. The organisation of the Mitsui firm at this time was by no means so perfect as at present.
1909.
1910.
Pieces.
Pieces.
Japanese Sheetings.
Imported via Dairen..
43,254
358,174
**
Newchwang
185,585
244,544
Japoneze Drills.
Imported via Dairen
J
13
Newchwang
10,218 102,375
38,393 149,509
8. It should be remembered that a large proportion of the shipping value of Dalny is credited to the steam-ship lines providing passenger communication with Shanghai and Japanese and Corean ports. The two connecting steamers of the South Manchurian Railway Company alone take some 200,000 tons of the total annual shipping trade. The foreign passengers to and from Dairen during 1909 were over 44,000.
In view of the facts pointed out in the final clause of the immediately preceding paragraph it seems unnecessary to discuss the question in detail.
9. These figures are apparently taken from the returns for the year 1908. The following table will show that similar discrepancies occur in other years :-
IMPORTS from Japan to China.
1906
1907
1908
1900
AVERAGE.
1899 to 1904 (excluding 1900).
Pieces.
Sheetings Shirtings Drills Jeans
1,096,520
187,256
502,076
85,692
Total
1,871,544
Sheetings Shirtings
Drills Jeans
::::
Total
Japanese Figures.
Chinese Figures.
Newchwang Dairen Antung Suifenho
£
£
12,023,327
10,047,812
10,822,000
9,337,000
7,988,551
9,114,492
7,000,000 7,793,875
Total
Grand total
:::::
:::::
1903.
::::
::::
:
::::
Pieces.
1,112,709 221,929
477
f
586,815 117,720
2,039,173
}
1908.
Sheetings.
Shirtings.
Drills.
Jeans.
Pieces.
Pieces.
Pieces.
Pieces.
682,243
242,881
248,610
188,986
108,118
186,047
20,831
10,892
75,072
25,025
23,254
21,856
4,216
10,513
9,075
8,325
869,640
464,466
301,790
229,559
1,865,404
1909.
Sheetings.
Shirtings.
Drills.
Jeans.
Pisces.
Pieces,
Pieces.
Pieces.
818,361
437,529
416,822
331,458
77.605
125,565
13,794
27,967
104,317
49,583
14,413
22,624
38,033
40,214
16,386
3,691
Manchouli
764
2,467
488
Total
1,037,080
655,458
461,903
385,748
Grand total
2,540,184
and similar results will be obtained by comparing Japanese and Chinese figures for the exports from China to Japan. The reason for this constant discrepancy is probably to be found in the fact that the Chinese figures are compiled on a basis of fixed silver valuation, whereas the Japanese figures correspond with market fluctuations. It is, in any case, unreasonable to suppose that there could be an evasion of duty on a value of nearly 7,000,000 Raikwan taels at the Dairen customs when the total import was only 18,900,000 taels.
10. The abolition of the free area is a scheme which has been strongly advocated by the commissioner of customs for some time past. The question is being favourably considered by the Kwantung Government in conjunction with certain responsible officials of the Colonial Office at Tokio, and there is every reason to suppose that Dalny will be placed on a customs footing similar to that obtaining at Tsingtau at no very distant date.
11. Branch offices of the Dairen customs have been, for some time past, in operation at Pulantien, Chinchou (Kinshü), Pitzewo, and Port Arthur.
Newchwang
Dairen Antung Suifenho