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CANTON:
There is a fairly large movement of freight from
Shanghai to Canton, but very little in the reverse direction,
owing to conditions in the North.
GENERAL:
There is at present an active movement of rice from
Hong Kong to Canton. Prior to June, 1926, Canton-Hong Kong
Chinese rice merchants maintained their principal establish-
ments in Hong Kong and carried on the main part of their
business in the Colony. when the trouble began they trans-
ferred the active part of their business to Canton, direct
charters being made with Bangkok and Saigon; in other words,
Hong Kong lost its place as the "Rice Mart of South China".
Now, however, owing to the burden of taxation and continual
labour troubles in Canton the rice merchants have reverted
to their former methods of doing business and maintaine✨ no
more than a signboard and a small space in Canton. Many
indeed have closed down entirely in Canton and have not even
a sign, with a view to avoiding the local taxation.
Before 1925, the transhipment of rice from Hong Kong
to Canton was largely effected by junk, but this traffic is
now greatly suspended owing to fear of piracy. The river steam
ers are unable to carry much of this cargo because, if heavily
laden, they would be compelled to wait perhaps twelve hours
for high tide to cross the Tai Shek Barrier. Coasters,
principally British, are now handling this cargo.
There was a movement in 1923 to get "urgently
necessary" dredging work done at the Tai Shek Barrier and since
that date, as nothing whatever has been done, there has been
considerable further silting.
HONG KONG, 18th January, 1927.
sd. M.F. KEY.
Secretary.