# 11
# TRADE.
It is once more necessary to call attention to the extreme inaccuracy of the reports by Masters of ships of cargo carried. There being no Customs, or other staff, to compile accurate statistics, the attached figures are dependent upon these reports, although in some cases more reliable information was obtainable.
## IMPORTS.
The amount reported was 4,727,036 tons compared with 4,956,125 tons in 1913, a decrease of 229,089 tons, or 4.6 per cent., which, considering the circumstances attending the last five months of the year under review, the total withdrawal from the run of all vessels under the German and Austrian flags; the loss (or, at least, the non-delivery) of the cargoes consigned to the Colony in many of such vessels; the risks run by neutral and allied shipping during the early months of the war, by reason of the German cruisers then at large; and the general sense of insecurity felt by both shippers and importers, may be considered remarkably small.
Increases are shown under the headings Beans, Coal, Cotton, Flour, Hemp, Bulk Kerosene, and Liquid Fuel, while there are decreases reported in Case Oil, Rattans, Rice, Timber, and General.
### Coal.
There was an increase of 171,664 tons, or 15.1 per cent., the increase being uniformly spread over the whole year. There was a very large increase in the imports of Welsh coal, which, however, bear a very small proportion to the total imports. Japanese coal fell off, and Chinese increased, while a small quantity of Australian coal found its way to the Colony in one of the prizes.
### Cotton, Yarn, and Piece Goods.
Here is an increase of 3,541 tons, or 8.7 per cent. This is not a real increase, but is only apparent, being due to the reported falling off in 1913 having been greatly in excess of facts. As a matter of fact, 1914 proved a bad year for this trade in the Colony, and for staple goods there was so little demand that the imports declined. The causes which led to this were, in the early part of the year, a heavy fall in prices and in exchange. In May and June, however, trade revived, and there seemed every prospect of a sustained improvement, when the floods inland caused a severe set back. Then came the war, which had a most deleterious effect on the trade inland, and increased freights acted as a further deterrent to importers. Added to these, the general financial state of China, throughout the year, has been far from encouraging.
### Flour.
There is an increase reported of 12,504 tons or 18.4 per cent.
11
TRADE.
It is once more necessary to call attention to the extreme inaccuracy of the reports by Masters of ships of cargo carried. There being no Customs, or other staff, to compile accurate statistics, the attached figures are dependent upon these reports, although in some cases more reliable information was obtainable.
IMPORTS.
The amount reported was 4,727,036 tons compared with 4,956,125 tons in 1913, a decrease of 229,089 tons, or 46 per cent., which, considering the circumstances attending the last five months of the year under review, the total withdrawal from the run of all vessels under the German and Austrian flags; the loss (or, at least, the non-delivery) of the cargoes consigned to the Colony in many of such vessels; the risks run by neutral and allied ship- ping during the early months of the war, by reason of the German cruisers then at large; and the general sense of insecurity felt by both shippers and importers,-may be considered remarkably small.
Increases are shown under the headings Beans, Coal, Cotton, Flour, Hemp, Bulk Kerosene, and Liquid Fuel, while there are decreases reported in Case Oil, Rattans, Rice, Timber, and General.
Coal. There was an increase of 171,664 tons, or 151 per cent., the increase being uniformly spread over the whole year. There was a very large increase in the imports of Welsh coal, which, however, bear a very small proportion to the total imports. Japanese coal fell off, and Chinese increased, while a small quantity of Australian coal found its way to the Colony in one of the prizes.
Cotton, Yarn, and Piece Goods.-Here is an increase of 3,541 tons, or 87 per cent. This is not a real increase, but is only apparent, being due to the reported falling off in 1913 having been greatly in excess of facts. As a matter of fact, 1914 proved a bad year for this trade in the Colony, and for staple goods there was so little demand that the imports declined. The causes which led to this were. in the early part of the year, a heavy fall in prices and in exchange. In May and June, however, trade revived, and there seemed every prospect of a sustained improvement, when the floods inland caused a severe set back. Then came the war, which had a most deleterious effect on the trade inland, and increased freights acted as a further deterrent to importers. Added to these, the general financial state of China, throughout the year, has been far from encouraging.
Flour. There is an increase reported of 12,504 tons or 184 per cent.
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