E 3
The principal items of trade for 1919 were ——
Imports. Exports. £ £ Chinese Medicines, Miscellaneous 1,785,322 1,832,134 Camphor. 607,362 Fish and Fishery Products, Miscellaneous 1,008,737 1,488,652 Wheat Flour 1,109,825 912,488 Rice, Broken 3,320,298 2,146,274 White.. 8,849,418 10,363,104 Sugar, Raw. 332,470 tons Value not available. 2,973,241 Refined 8,210,483 Coal.. 3,119,909 Tin Slabs and Ingots. 3,255,350 Kerosene. 1,761,871 4,288,390 Peanut Oil 3,681,687 Dyed Plain Cottons, Miscellaneous 827,966 1,020,442 Silk Piece Goods 1,076,651 Tobacco, Raw. 1,834,363 655,499 Cigarettes 1,441,105 Gunny Bags 569,623 769,642 Hides 1,249,425 Leather (Sole). 909,206 Matches 1,086,665 815,107 Yarn, Cotton 710,171 9,243,107 9,244,897The imports of Treasure for the period July 1st to December 31st, 1919, showed Gold £20,383,568 and Silver £2,156,911, while Exports were Gold £12,664,243 and Silver £3,215,666.
From the above table it will be clear that the most important industry of the Colony is that of the transhipment of goods, for the principal imports are also the principal exports with but few exceptions. The exceptions show that Sugar-refining and the manufacture of Tobacco are important industries in Hongkong. The large amount of Coal imported is mainly used for Bunkering. Dyed Plain Cotton exports are mostly composed of coarse Cotton Native Cloth.
The apparent discrepancies between the import and export of several of the items shown is of course due to carry over from 1918, and stocks on hand at end of 1919, not to consumption or produce of the Colony.
RICE.
9. When the Government took control of Rice a sub-department of the Imports and Exports Department was formed to deal with the transactions. Mr. R. O. Hutchison, M.B.E., substantive Superintendent of Imports and Exports, was appointed Rice Controller and Mr. A. J. C. Taylor was seconded from the Police to take charge of the accounts. A staff of 5 Temporary Clerks, 1 Godown Keeper, 4 Foremen, and 4 Tallymen were engaged. Commander C. W. Beckwith took over the Rice control from October 24th when Mr. Hutchison was appointed acting First Magistrate.