Appendix E.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1937.
I. LIQUOR.
1. There was an increase in the net revenue collected of $213,156.62 as compared with 1936. Just over half of this increase is accounted for by increased receipts from native type liquors, the additional sums paid by local distilleries amounting to $87,788.95, and in respect of imports of Chinese and Japanese type liquors to $23,667.07.
2. The rates of duty remained unchanged as compared with 1936 and the general increase in receipts is therefore directly ascribable to increased consumption of duty-paid liquors. In respect of European type liquors, the increase is probably due partly to the increase in population following the Shanghai troubles and partly to improved economic conditions. The increase in consumption of native liquor is probably due mainly to the enormous influx of refugees from the war areas, though the excellent work of the preventive staff in the suppression of illicit distillation has been a definite factor. In this connexion it is noteworthy that the increase in revenue from local distilleries amounts to almost 12% as compared with 1936.
3. An increase in the receipts from local consumption of spirit of wine has again to be recorded. It is largely due to the continued prosperity of local perfumery manufacturers.
4. An intensive campaign was waged during the year against illicit distillation, and the officers concerned are to be commended for the excellent results achieved. No less than 183 illicit stills were found as compared with 99 in 1936. Those who participate in the illicit traffic displayed remarkable ingenuity in their endeavours to avoid the attentions of Revenue Officers. They adopted the practice of burying fermenting material, leaving it underground until fermentation was complete, and then unearthing it for distillation under cover of darkness. The most ingenious trick discovered was the burial of a large vessel of fermenting material in a Chinese burial ground. Made up as a grave complete with headstone, it was with great trepidation that the Revenue Officer investigated it to discover the deception.
Appendix E.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF IMPORTS AND
EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1937.
I. LIQUOR.
1. There was an increase in the net revenue collected of $213,156.62 as compared with 1936. Just over half of this increase is accounted for by increased receipts from native type liquors, the additional sums paid by local distilleries amounting to $87,788.95, and in respect of imports of Chinese and Japanese type liquors to $23,667.07.
2. The rates of duty remained unchanged as compared with 1936 and the general increase in receipts is therefore directly ascribable to increased consumption of duty paid liquors. In respect of European type liquors, the increase is probably due partly to the increase in population following the Shanghai troubles and partly to improved economic conditions. The in- crease in consumption of native liquor is probably due mainly to the enormous influx of refugees from the war areas, though the excellent work of the preventive staff in the suppression of illicit distillation has been a definite factor. In this connexion it is noteworthy that the increase in revenue from local distil- leries amounts to almost 12% as compared with 1986.
3. An increase in the receipts from local consumption of spirit of wine has again to be recorded. It is largely due to the continued prosperity of local perfumery manufacturers.
4. An intensive campaign was waged during the year against illicit distillation, and the officers concerned are to be commended for the excellent results achieved. No less than 183 illicit stills
were found as compared with 99 in 1936. Those who participate in the illicit traffic displayed remarkable ingenuity in their endeavours to avoid the attentions of Revenue Officers. They adopted the practice of burying fermenting material, leaving it underground until fermentation was complete, and then unearthing it for distillation under cover of darkness. The most ingenious trick discovered was the burial of a large vessel of ferimenting material in a Chinese burial ground. Made up as a grave complete with headstone, it was with great trepidation. that the Revenue Officer investigated it to discover the deception.
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