7. The following countries increased their shares of the import trade in 1936 as compared with 1935:-Japan, Netherlands East Indies, Siam, Germany, India and Belgium; whilst increased shares of the export trade were credited to British Malaya, Japan, Siam, U.S.A., Netherlands East Indies, Philippine Islands and India. (Details are given in Table II).
8. It will be seen from Table III that there were increased imports in 1936 of the following groups of commodities as compared with 1935:-Live animals, chemicals and drugs, Chinese medicines, dyeing and tanning materials, foodstuffs and provisions, fuels, hardware, liquors, machinery, manures, metals, minerals and ores, nuts and seeds, oils and fats, paints, paper and paperware, piece goods and textiles, tobacco, vehicles, wearing apparel and sundries, the only groups showing a decrease being building materials and railway materials. There were increases in all groups of exports with the exception of live animals and fuels.
9. Total movements of Treasure amounted to $216.5 millions in 1936 as compared with $254.7 millions in 1935. Imports totalled $72.7 millions in 1936 as compared with $38.8 millions in 1935, and exports $143.8 millions as compared with $216.0 millions. (Details are given in Table IV).
10. Average T.T. opening rates of exchange during the year 1936 were:-London 1/33/16; France 5215/16; U.S.A. 317/16; Shanghai 105; India 835/8; Singapore 587/8; Japan 1081/8; Java 483/4.
11. Wholesale prices in the Colony showed an increase of 32.3% in 1936 as compared with 1935 and an increase of 12.7% as compared with 1934. Increases were recorded in each of the four groups of commodities, viz., Foodstuffs, Textiles, Metals and Minerals, and Miscellaneous Articles.