# 5
TRADE.
As pointed out in previous reports, the figures which used to appear under this heading were misleading, being inaccurate in some cases. However, in the few items of import trade of which substantially accurate details can be given, the following remarks may be of interest :
Coal.-1,046,290 tons were imported during the year. This quantity, compared with the imports for 1910, shows a decrease of 68,830 tons or 6·6%. This decrease may be ascribed to greater quantities of coal (principally Japanese, North China and Hongay) passing through Hongkong direct to Canton than heretofore, also to the falling off in ocean tonnage.
Of the many varieties of coal imported, Japanese heads the list. Next come North China and Hongay. The importation from Pulo Laut is increasing.
There was only one cargo of Cardiff coal commercially imported. No Australian coal was discharged throughout the year.
Kerosene Oil shows a big increase in bulk oil of 62,367 tons or 111·1% and in case oil an increase of 4,112 tons or 8·8%, while liquid fuel has increased by 7,759 tons or 82·3%. The huge increase in bulk oil can be attributed to a great extent to the cutting of rates between the Standard Oil and Asiatic Petroleum Companies, also to the fact that stocks were left short in 1910, and that much oil hitherto shipped direct to coast ports was last year trans-shipped in Hongkong, because the revolution in China caused a restriction of sales in the interior. The increase in liquid fuel tends to show that this class of fuel is now becoming popular in steamers which hitherto exclusively consumed coal.
Opium. The imports of raw opium show a decrease of 10,457 chests or 32·9% as compared with a decrease of 11·1% in 1910 and 14·5% in 1909. The exports show a decrease of 8,272 chests or 29·2% as compared with a decrease of 21·2% in 1910 and 9·7% in 1909. During the last four years the raw opium trade of the Colony is described by the following figures :
1911 1910 1909 1908 Stock in hand, 1st Jan. Chests. 7,123 Chests. 4,509 Chests. 5,808 Chests. 4,707 Imported during the year 21,286 31,743 35,734 41,821 Total, 28,409 36,252 41,542 46,528 Boiled by Opium Farmer, 761 782 1,044 864 Spurious Opium destroyed, 14 Exported during the year, 20,061 28,333 35,938 39,609 Total, 20,802 29,129 37,033 40,720 Stock remaining on 31st Dec., 7,587 7,123 4,509 5,8085
TRADE.
As pointed out in previous reports, the figures which used to appear under this heading were misleading, being inaccurate in some cases. However, in the few items of import trade of which substantially accurate details can be given, the following remarks may be of interest :
Coal.-1,046,290 tons were imported during the year. This quantity, compared with the imports for 1910, shows a decrease of 68,830 tons or 6·6%. This decrease may be ascribed to greater quantities of coal (principally Japanese, North China and Hongar) passing through Hongkong direct to Canton than heretofore, also to the falling off in ocean tonnage.
Of the many varieties of coal imported, Japanese heads the list. Next come North China and Hongay. The importation from Pulo Laut is increasing.
There was only one cargo of Cardiff coal commercially imported. No Australian coal was discharged throughout the year.
Kerosene Oil shows a big increase in bulk oil of 62,367 tons or 1111% and in case oil an increase of 4,112 tons or 88%, while liquid fuel has increased by 7,759 tons or 82.3%. The huge increase in bulk oil can be attributed to a great extent to the cutting of rates between the Standard Oil and Asiatic Petroleum Companies. also to the fact that stocks were left short in 1910, and that much oil hitherto shipped direct to coast ports was last year trans-shipped in Hongkong, because the revolution in China caused a restriction of sales in the interior. The increase in liquid fuel tends to show that this class of fuel is now becoming popular in steamers which hitherto exclusively consumed coal.
Opium. The imports of raw opium show a decrease of 10,457 chests or 32·9% as compared with a decrease of 111% in 1910 and 14-5% in 1909. The experts show a decrease of 8,272 chests or 29.2% as compared with a decrease of 212% in 1910 and 9·7% in 1909. During the last four years the raw opium trade of the Colony is described by the following figures :
Stock in hand, 1st Jan., Imported during the year,
Boiled by Opium Farmer,......
1911. 1910. 1909. Chests. Chests. Chests. 7,123 4,509 5,808 21,286 31,743 35,734
1908.
Chests.
4,707
41,821
Total,
28,409
36,252 41,542 46,528
761
782
1,044
864
Spurious Opium destroyed,
14
Exported during the year,
20,061
28,333
51 35,938
247 39,609
Total,...
20,802
29,129 37,033 40,720
Stock remaining on 31st Dec., 7,587 7,123
4,509 5,808
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