1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1909.
Steamers.
No. of times entered.
Total tonnage.
Flag.
1908 1909 1908 1909 Italian *** *** *** *** Japanese 4 2 12,400 6,311 Norwegian 12 11 31,400 28,470 Portuguese... 99 98 434,493 493,049 Russian 43 41 181,212 192,278 Swedish 5 4 23,487 22,341 *** 7 5 13,326 19,584 United States 3 5 11,035 18,099 {Steamers... 53 13 53,726 17,327 Sailing 17 38 42 245,280 1 1 809 211,327 Total 745 704 3,991,498 4,198,376 7,452,498 7,796,376TRADE.
As pointed out last year, and in many previous years, the figures which used to appear under this heading were, as a whole, never accurate, and, in some cases, actually misleading. However, in the few items of import trade of which substantially accurate details can be given, the following remarks may prove of interest. These items are coal, kerosene oil (including all products of petroleum), opium, morphine, compounds of opium, and sugar.
Coal.-I find that 1,126,836 tons were imported into the Colony during the year. This shows an increase over the imports of 1908 of 108,083 tons, or 10.6 per cent. This would appear to be due to nothing more phenomenal than an increased demand, and to a general improvement in business and manufactures.
It is a curious fact that although the imports of coal have increased to this extent, the shipment of bunker coal in the Colony has decreased. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of vessels, calling at Hong Kong, prefer to take their bunker coal elsewhere, e.g., Japanese and most transpacific liners in Japan, Chinese in Canton-whither a considerable quantity of coal passes through Hong Kong in transit-and many vessels on the home run at Singapore, &c. This may be due in part to the fear of detention in Hong Kong, enhanced by the prevalence of typhoons of late years.
Kerosene Oil-Decreases are shown in all classes of this product, viz.:-26,235 tons of bulk oil, 3,858 tons of case oil, and 9,493 tons of liquid fuel. These decreases are only what might have been expected after the phenomenal increases in 1908, (indeed, my remarks on the subject foreshadowed them), and do not indicate any falling off in the trade. Liquid fuel has increased considerably (32 per cent.) over the figures for 1907-the last normal year.
Opium.—The imports of raw opium show a decrease of 6,087 chests, or 14.5 per cent., while the exports declined by 3,620 chests, or 9.7 per cent. During the year 1909, the raw opium trade of the Colony is described by the following figures:-
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Page 150
Page 151
1904-1919
HONG KONG, 1909.
Steamers.
No. of times entered.
Total tonnage.
Flag.
1908. 1909. 1908. 1909.
1908.
1909.
Italian Japanese Norwegian
***
***
Portuguese...
Russian
Swedish
***
***
***
United States {Steamers...
Sailing
39
**5388
4
2
12
11
31.400
28,470
99
98
434
493 | 1,049,540 | 1,283,330
43
181
212
192,278
227,341
5
4
87
94
23,487
36,927
7
5
13
9
34.326
19,584
3
5
11
35
18.099
***
53,726
13
17
38
42
245,280
211,327
1
1
809
Total
745
***
7043.9914,198 | 7.452,498 | 7,796,376
TRADE.
As pointed out last year, and in many previous years, the figures which used to appear under this heading were, as a whole, never accurate, and, in some cases, actually misleading. However, in the few items of import trade of which substantially accurate details can be given, the following remarks may prove of interest. These items are coal, kerosene oil (including all products of petro- leum), opium, morphine, compounds of opium, and sugar.
Coal.-I find that 1,126,836 tons were imported into the Colony during the year. This shows an increase over the imports of 1908 of 108,083 tons, or 10'6 per cent. This would appear to be due to nothing more phenomenal than an increased demand, and to a general improvement in business and manufactures.
It is a curious fact that although the imports of coal have increased to this extent, the shipment of bunker coal in the Colony has decreased. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of vessels, calling at Hong Kong, prefer to take their bunker coal else- where, e.g., Japanese and most transpacific liners in Japan, Chinese in Canton-whither a considerable quantity of coal passes through Hong Kong in transit-and many vessels on the home run at Singapore, &c. This may be due in part to the fear of detention in Hong Kong, enhanced by the prevalence of typhoons of late years.
Kerosene Oil-Decreases are shown in all classes of this pro- duct, viz.:-26,235 tons of bulk oil, 3,858 tons of case oil, and 9,493 tons of liquid fuel. These decreases are only what might have been expected after the phenomenal increases in 1908, (indeed, my remarks on the subject foreshadowed them), and do not indicate any falling off in the trade. Liquid fuel has increased considerably (32 per cent.) over the figures for 1907-the last normal year.
Opium.—The imports of raw opium show a decrease of 6,087 chests, or 14.5 per cent., while the exports declined by 3,620 chests, or 9.7 per cent. During the year 1909, the raw opium trade of the Colony is described by the following figures:-
143
9
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