Disposed of than were imported. China took 92.4 per cent, of the exports.
Imports of Compounds of Opium increased, as compared with 1903, by 2,513 lb., or 23.33%, and exports by 1,613 lb., or 19.53%, while the amount which remained in the Colony for consumption increased by 930 lb., or 38.1%. Imports of Morphia showed an increase of 356 lb., or 5.06%. Imports and exports of Cocaine were recorded for the first time and for the period from April 22nd to 31st December showed 68 lb. imported and 12 lb. exported.
Sugar. The imports of sugar show a considerable increase of 89,766 tons, or 36 per cent. This article is peculiarly liable to sudden fluctuations, and the increase may be due to increase of stocks owing to favourable prices.
Besides the above items, I propose to say a few words on the subject of others, which, from the figures at my disposal, appear to have experienced considerable increases or decreases during the past year.
Cotton and Cotton Yarn. The figures show the enormous increase of 135 per cent.
This increase is not borne out by facts, though a very considerable increase has taken place, about 40 to 50 per cent. This is a good example of the inaccuracy of the returns supplied to me and is obviously due to the fact that the cotton imported in 1908 was largely reported as "general", while in 1909 the reports have been more accurate. The actual increase is due to the great improvement in the trade, the figures for 1909 being greatly in excess of any of those for the previous four years.
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Flour. The total reported imports of flour during the year amounted to 58,583 tons as against 91,312 tons in 1908, a decrease of 35.8%. The decrease is due to the fact, noted last year, that direct shipments to coast ports are now made. Another disposing cause for the decrease is the fact that the Shanghai flour mills, which obtain their raw material locally, are now successfully competing with American flour at the coast ports: Foochow, Amoy, Swatow, &c., and are even sending through cargoes to Canton.
Rice. In spite of a hopeful outlook last year, Rice has failed to come back to its previous figure. It has again declined from 721,254 tons to 541,078 tons, or 25 per cent. This is due to a partial failure of the crops in Cochin China, and to the fact that many cargoes of rice from Siam have been sent direct to coast ports, without touching, much less transhipping, at Hongkong.
11. The total reported Imports during the year amounted to 4,195,008 tons as against 4,169,856 in 1908, an increase of 0.6%. Exports also show an increase, from 2,102,857 tons to 2,239,731 tons or 6.5%; and Transit Cargo increased from 3,372,993 tons to 3,091,347 tons or 1.9%, but for the reason given these figures are not reliable.
DO
disposed of than were imported. China took 924 per cent, of the exports.
Imports of Compounds of Opium increased, as compare with 1993, by 2,513 lb., or 23 33%, and exports by 1,613 lb., or 19 53's, while the amount which remained in the Colony for consumption increased by 930 lb., or 381%. Imports of Morphia showed an increase of 356 lb., or 5'06%. Imports and exports of Cocaine were recorded for the first time and for the period from April 22nd to 31st December showed 68 lb. imported and 12 lb. exported.
Sugar. The imports of sugar shows a considerable increase of 89,766 tons, or 36 per cent. This article is peculiarly liable to sud- den fluctuations, and the increase may be due to increase of stocks owing to favourable prices.
Besides the above items, I propose to say a few words on the subject of others, which, from the figures at my disposal, appear to have experienced considerable increases or decreases during the past year.
Cotton and Cotton Yarn.-The figures show the enormous increase of 135 per cent.
This increase is not borne out by facts, though a very consider- able increase has taken place, about 40 to 50 per cent. This is a good example of the inaccuracy of the returns supplied to me and is obviously due to the fact that the cotton imported in 1908 was largely reported as general", while in 1909 the reports have been more accurate. The actual increase is due to the great improvement in the trade, the figures for 1909 being greatly in excess of any of those for the previous four years.
44
Flour. The total reported imports of flour during the year amounted to 58,583 tons as against 91,312 tons in 1908, a decrease of 35.8%. The decrease is due to the fact, noted last year, that direct shipments to coast ports are now made. Another disposing cause for the decrease is the fact that the Shanghai flour mills, which obtain their raw material locally, are now successfully competing with American flour at the coast ports:-Foochow, Amoy, Swatow, &c., and are even sending through cargoes to Canton.
Rice. In spite of a hopeful outlook last year, Rice has failed to come back to its previous figure. It has again declined from 721 254 tons to 541,078 tons, or 25 per cent. This is due to a partial failure of the crops in Cochin China, and to the fact that many cargoes of rice from Sigon have been sent direct to coast ports, without touching, much less transhipping, at Hongkong.
11. The total reported Imports during the year amounted to 4,195,008 tons as against 4,169,856 in 1908, an increase of 0·6%. Exports also show an increase, from 2,102,857 tons to 2.239,731 tons or 65%; and Transit Cargo increased from 3,372,993 tons to 3,091,347 tons or 19%, but for the reason given these figures are not reliable.
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