Coal. There is an increase of 62,811 tons over the last year which is due to local and Canton manufacturing concerns laying in stocks as protective measure against advancing prices due to shortage of tonnage. A large part of the surplus coal is from Formosa and Yaeyama.
Cotton Yarn and Cotton. Once again there is a decrease of 2,274 tons, due to most of the cargo being transhipment cargo.
Flour. The decrease of 14,675 tons is due to Chinese flour competition and high prices ruling for American and Canadian product, also shortage of tonnage and high freight.
Kerosene Oil. There is a decrease of 37,593 tons shown in Bulk Oil, which is due to falling off in demand on account of high price brought about by general war conditions, and what would appear to be an increase in Case Oil is really not so, as the demand has also fallen off as in Bulk Oil. Large stocks of Case Oil are carried over to the present year, and if conditions become worse, this apparent increase will be wiped out.
Liquid Fuel. A decrease of 2,943 tons due to the scarcity of tank steamers.
Rice. The increase of 71,144 tons is due to great demand from North and Central American market principally, which was formerly supplied by the European market when freights were low.
Timber. A decrease of 31,477 tons chiefly accounted for by the stoppage of supplies of Oregon Pine through high rates of freight, Philippine Hardwood being used instead.
General Cargo. The large decrease of 255,423 tons is due to shortage of supplies from manufacturers at home, on account of war conditions.
11. The number and tonnage of ships of European type of construction carrying cargo for import and transit, compared with 1915, was as follows:-
1915 1916 Increase Decrease No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage Steamers, 3,820 7,175,952 3,760 6,855,089 60 320,863 River Steamers, 4,283 2,475,916 4,669 2,583,229 386 107,313 Sailing Vessels, 75 5,747 3 5,672 72 75 Total, 8,107 9,657,615 8,430 9,438,393 396 107,313 63 326,535 Net, 323 219,222