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A special feature of the year just closing is that Japanese yarn No. 20 has entirely driven out this count of Bombay yarn from the local market, so much so that during the past three months not a single bale of Indian 20s has been negotiated in the local market.
Rope. Fair prices and a brisk demand have been the features of this market for the greater part of 1915 but latterly values of Manila hemp have risen rapidly and by the end of the year showed an advance of about 20 per cent. all round.
Prices of cordage have advanced in unison but it is feared that the increased cost will result in a reduced demand and a smaller business in the coming year.
Cement. There was a good demand throughout the year and had it been possible to obtain the usual supplies of limestone from Canton a much larger business could have been done. Prices have been well maintained in spite of the competition of inferior brands but export business has been greatly handicapped by scarcity of tonnage and high rates of freight. A large demand arose from Australia, owing no doubt to German supplies being cut off, but the business seems to have been overdone and collapsed very quickly.
(ii.) Under Chinese Management.
Tin. There are only five refineries operating. Imports from Yunnan amounted to about 7,000 tons and from Kwangsi to about 1,000 tons.
One thousand (1,000) tons were exported to Japan, 800 tons to Shanghai, and 5,700 tons to Europe and America.
There was also a small export business done with China Coast Ports.
Rattan and Fibre Furniture. The business in chair export has declined about 50 per cent. in comparison with the preceding year on account of the war and high rates of freight. Business in sea grass and hemp has also fallen off considerably.
Native Tobacco. The output for the year under review has been well maintained and its use for the manufacture of cigarettes has increased by about 30 per cent.
Tinned Goods. The market has been less active and business has fallen off 20 per cent. in comparison with the preceding year.
Samshu. The Superintendent of Imports and Exports reports that considerable increase as compared with the second half of last year has taken place in local production, while imports for local consumption have slightly declined.
Vinegar. The business has remained the same as in the preceding year.
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