R 24
Total Canton and South China traffic handled during
1928 1927
31,322 msgs. 257,312 words 18,708 msgs. 180,052 words
Total increase 12,614 msgs. 77,260 words.
4. FRENCH INDO-CHINA traffic shows a very large general increase, the figures for 1927 and 1928 are shown below:
1928 1927
9,558 msgs. 85,919 words 4,991 msgs. 52,113 words
Showing increase of 4,567 messages 33,806 words.
(a) KWONGCHOWAN traffic shows only a small increase of 112 messages as compared with the 1927, but a decrease of 3,389 in number of words. No greater increase is to be expected when the comparative importance of Kwongchowan is taken into consideration. The decrease in the number of words is due to the abolition of the 10 word minimum charge and to the greater use of code words in place of plain language. For this reason no further increase of traffic is anticipated at present on this service.
(b) HANOI service is largely responsible for the considerable increase of traffic exchanged between Hong Kong and Indo-China, the increase in 1928 compared to 1927 amounting to 4,704 messages 43,929 words, representing an increase of nearly 400%.
The service has improved month by month with corresponding increases in the volume of traffic. Communication is much more reliable than was formerly the case. Both Hanoi and Hong Kong use short wave communication so that atmospheric disturbances no longer interrupt the service for several days at a time. Mention should also be made of the better working of Hanoi which is now business-like and efficient. Traffic on this service should continue to increase if good communication and service can be maintained.
(c) YUNNANFU traffic via Hanoi increased slightly during the first four months of the year, after which the 'Via Hanoi' service was discontinued in favour of a direct service, which was opened on April 20th and resulted in an increased volume of traffic due to improved service, fewer and shorter delays, and fewer mutilations. There is still some difficulty in making the Yunnanfu operators understand what is meant by "Service" punctuality etc., but this difficulty is gradually being overcome.