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supplying country (9.1 per cent. of Hong Kong's total import trade in 1938), the share of other Empire countries in the same year being Australia 2%, India 1.9%, Malaya 1.2%, "other Empire countries" 3%.
The percentages of Hong Kong's total import trade supplied by the various non-Empire countries has varied only slightly during the period 1934-38, with the exception of Japan, the share of which country has decreased from 8.8% in 1934, and 12.8% in 1936 to 3% in 1938. The shares of other non-Empire countries in 1938 were as follows:- China 37.7%, U.S.A. 8.8%, Netherlands East Indies 6.6%, Germany 6.3%, Siam 5.9%, French Indo-China 5.6%, "other foreign countries" 8.9%.
C. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL EXPORTS SENT TO EMPIRE AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
During the period 1934-1938, the share of Hong Kong's total export trade shipped to British Empire countries has varied from 13.9 per cent. to 19.7 per cent. The total in 1938 was 16.3 per cent. British Malaya is the largest Empire purchasing country (7.2 per cent. of Hong Kong's total export trade in 1938), the share of other Empire countries in the same year being United Kingdom 4.1%, India 1.6%, and "other Empire countries" 3.4%.
The percentages of Hong Kong's total export trade supplied to the various non-Empire countries has varied within narrow limits during the period 1934-1938, the only country where a marked difference is apparent being Japan to which country 3.5% of Hong Kong's total exports were shipped in 1934, 5.1% in 1936 and 0.6% in 1938. The percentages taken by other non-Empire countries in 1938 were as follows:- China 45.1%, U.S.A. 10.2%, French Indo-China 4.5%, Macao 4.1%, Siam 3.1%, "other foreign countries" 16.1%.
D. QUANTITIES AND VALUES OF PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF Imports DURING THE YEARS 1937 AND 1938.
The principal commodities imported into Hong Kong (1938 values being given in brackets) are as follows:-
Food Stuffs
($152,441,000)
Piece-goods
(79,833,000)
Oils and Fats
(78,223,000)
Metals
(48,144,000)
Chinese Medicines
(19,593,000)
Fuels
(17,273,000)
Machinery
(17,136,000)
Dyeing Materials
(16,086,000)
Paper and Paperware
(14,743,000)
Vehicles
(14,140,000)
The above-mentioned commodities also figure as the principal exports from Hong Kong, as most imports into this Colony are destined for China and adjacent markets.
E. QUANTITIES AND VALUES OF PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF EXPORTS DURING THE YEARS 1937 AND 1938.
Exports of Chinese produce from Hong Kong to Europe, the United States of America and other markets were well maintained in 1938 and in some instances there were considerable increases, notably in tea, wood oil and bristles as a result of trade being diverted to Hong Kong from Yangtse ports during the first nine and