E 6
The import of Rice appears to have declined from 956,000 tons to 721,000 tons, due to the falling off in the rice trade from Saigon and Bangkok in consequence of the exceptionally good crop in Northern and Central China, with the result that prices at Shanghai and the Yangtse ports ruled considerably lower than in Siam and Annam. Local dealers naturally bought in the cheaper market, and there was no demand for Southern rice. At Bangkok, I understand, there was the further factor of a species of boycott instituted by the rice merchants against the N. D. L. Steamers (late Scottish Oriental) which do all the carrying trade between that port and this Colony. As the greater part of the rice imported here is re-exported by sea to ports in China other than Canton, and the majority of that so imported last year came from China itself, it is reasonable to presume that, in the absence of the usual supply of Siamese and Annamese rice in this Colony, those Chinese ports which usually draw their supplies here went to the North for their rice, where a superabundance was available at very moderate prices. The Rice trade from the South having now reverted to its usual conditions, I see no reason to doubt that this year will see it restored to its former channels,—i.e., via this Colony.
Flour appears to have decreased from 147,000 tons to 91,000 tons, probably due to the fact that the Colony is ceasing to be the distributing centre for this commodity. Shipments are now made directly from ports on the Pacific Coast of North America to Shanghai, Amoy, Singapore, &c., instead of transhipping here, as heretofore.
There is a possibility that, the Hongkong Milling Company being in liquidation, some small recrudescence in this branch of trade may occur.
The total reported Imports during the year amounted to 4,170,000 tons, as against 4,366,000 tons in 1907, a decrease of 4.4%. Exports also show a decrease, from 2,354,000 tons to 2,103,000 tons or 10.7%, and transit cargo declined from 3,396,000 to 3,373,000 tons or 0.7%, but for the reason given these figures are not reliable.
11. The number and tonnage of European and American constructed vessels carrying cargo for import and in transit compared with the previous year was as follows:-
1907 1909 Increase Decrease No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage No. Tonnage Steamers, 4,172 7,448,008 3,980 7,429,992 192 18,016 River Steamers, 4,067 2,688,885 3,770 2,510,896 297 177,989 Sailing Vessels, 10 19,503 22,506 1 3,003 Total, 8,249 10,156,396 7,761 9,963,394 1 3,003 489 196,005 Nett, 488 193,002E 6
The import of Rice appears to have declined from 956,000 tons to 721,000 tons, due to the falling off in the rice trade from Saigon and Bangkok in consequence of the exceptionally good crop in Northern and Central China, with the result that prices at Shanghai and the Yangtse ports ruled considerably lower than in Siam and Annam. Local dealers naturally bought in the cheaper market, and there was no demand for Southern rice. At Bangkok, I understand, there was the further factor of a species of boycott instituted by the rice merchants against the N. D. L. Steamers (late Scottish Oriental) which do all the carrying trade between that port and this Colony. As the greater part of the rice imported here is re-exported by sea to ports in China other than Canton, and the majority of that so imported last year came from China itself, it is reasonable to presume that, in the absence of the usual supply of Siamese and Annamese rice in this Colony, those Chinese ports which usually draw their supplies here went to the North for their rice, where a superabundance was available at very moderate prices. The Rice trade from the South having now reverted to its usual conditions, I see no reason to doubt that this year will see it restored to its former channels,-i.e., via this Colony.
Flour appears to have decreased from 147,000 tons to 91,000 tons, probably due to the fact that the Colony is ceasing to be the distributing centre for this commodity. Ship- ments are now made directly from l'orts on the Pacific Coast of North America to Shang- hai, Amoy, Singapore, &c., instead of transhipping here, as heretofore.
There is a possibility that, the Hongkong Milling Company being in liquidation, some small recrudescence in this branch of trade may occur.
The total reported Imports during the year amounted to 4,170.000 tons, as against 4,366,000 tons in 1907, a decrease of 4.4 %. Exports also show a decrease, from 2,354,000 tons to 2.103,000 tons or 10.7 %, and transit cargo declined from 3,396,000 to 3,373,000 tons or 0.7 %, but for the reason given these figures are not reliable.
11. The antuber and tonnage of European and American constructed vessels carrying cargo for import and in transit compared with the previous year was as follows :-
1907.
1909.
Increase.
Decrease.
No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage.
No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage.
Steamers,
4,172
River Steamers,..
Sailing Vessels,
7,448,008 3,980 | 7,429,992
4,067 2,688,885 | 3,770 | 2,510,896
10 19,503
192
18,016
297 177,989
22,506
1
3,003
Total,.
8,249 10,156,3967,761 9,963,394
1
3,003
489
196,005
Nett,
488
193,002
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