Chapter VI.
PRODUCTION.
Hong Kong is the port for South China, and the greater part of the large volume of goods that pass through it is in transit either to or from South China and other parts of the world, including North and Middle China. The Colony itself produces comparatively little, though the shipbuilding, cement, sugar refining and cotton knitting industries are not unimportant. Neither agriculture nor mining are carried on to any great extent, though the former is practised throughout the New Territories. Rice and vegetables are grown, and there is considerable poultry farming, but in insufficient quantities to supply the needs of the urban populations of Victoria and Kowloon. The cultivation is in the hands of the Chinese villagers. Sea fishing is an important industry, but here again local supplies have to be augmented by importation from outside.
2. Reports on the principal industries for the year 1931 are given below :
Refined Sugar. The year opened with large stocks in China which had been rushed in prior to the enforcement of higher Customs Duties as from 1st January. Later, when business was resuming normal proportions, the floods in the Yangtsze Valley led to a diminished off-take. The embroglio in Manchuria also induced nervousness on the part of buyers, new orders being confined to immediate needs.
3. Preserved Ginger. It is estimated that 3,000 tons more of preserved ginger was exported to Europe in 1931, as compared with the previous year, the increase being due to favourable exchange and lower rates of freight. The demand from the United States of America continued to decline owing to industrial depression and its reaction on purchasing power, particularly in respect of luxury commodities. Total value of exports of preserved ginger from Hong Kong in 1931 amounted to $2,347,375.
4. Cement. There was a fair demand for locally manufactured cement during the first nine months of 1931. During the last three months of the year, the demand exceeded the supply due to the greatly reduced importation of the Japanese product. The Green Island Cement Company were, however, able to deal to a large extent with the increased demand owing to their having recently installed an entirely new All-British Plant.
5. Rope Making. The demand for locally manufactured rope during 1931 was normal and no special features were met with in this industry.
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