RONG KONG, 1912.
(ii.)-Under Chinese Management.
239
15
Rattan and Fibre Furnitures.-Business was not so good, owing to the damp season, which injuriously affected the hemp string (linen fibre) and sea grass. The export, retail, and manufacturing businesses all showed a slight falling off.
Native Tobacco.-It is to be feared this is a dying industry. The native product is being ousted by foreign tobacco and cigarettes, and owing to the failure of the 1912 crops in the interior, caused by the troubles consequent on the Revolution, the price of tobacco leaf rose to abnormally high figures, and many of the tobacco factories were conducted at a loss.
Tinned Goods.-The three local factories report a very good year, but the total volume of exports fell off owing to the adverse effect of the Revolution and subsequent troubles in Kwang Tung on the output of the Canton factories which send their manufactures to their Hong Kong branches for export.
Samshu.-The local manufacturers of native spirits report having had another good year. The total local output (including the New Territories) of all kinds of native spirits was 1,154,360 gallons as compared with something less than 1,100,000 gallons in 1911.
Vinegar.-All the large native distilleries produce vinegar as well as samshu. The year's output of the seven largest firms amounted to 834,000 gallons, a slight falling off on the figures for 1911.
Knitted Vests and Socks.-Another factory was completed in the course of the year, and there are now six establishments, all doing a considerable business, to meet the large and increasing local demand for these articles.
Leather and Hides.-The leather manufactured at the local tanneries is of such inferior quality that it is gradually being driven out of the market by the competition of imported products; it cannot compete with leather tanned in the Straits.
The export of raw hides to Penang, where they are tanned and re-exported to Hong Kong in the form of very fair quality leather, increased largely, owing to the extraordinary demand throughout China for foreign style women's boots and shoes and for military equipment.
Ginger and Preserves.--Very small profits were made by the ginger manufacturers during the year, owing to the rise in the price of raw ginger by $2 a picul. Two shops failed and had to close during the year.
Soy. This trade still remains dull; exports to Singapore and the south have again fallen off.
Paper. The trade has not been quite so good, a large stock remaining unsold at the end of the year.
Vermilion. The output has remained about the same, but the demand has still further slackened, and prices dropped by $10 to $15 a picul.
Lard.-A considerable amount of lard is manufactured in the Colony for export, chiefly to the Philippines, where regulations requiring the purity of animal products to be certified are in force.
1904-1919
RONG KONG, 1912.
(ii.)-Under Chinese Management.
239
15
Rattan and Fibre Furnitures.-Business was not so good, owing to the damp season, which injuriously affected the hemp string (linen fibre) and sea grass. The export, retail, and manufactur- ing businesses all showed a slight falling off.
Native Tobacco.-It is to be feared this is a dying industry. The native product is being ousted by foreign tobacco and cigarettes, and owing to the failure of the 1912 crops in the interior, caused by the troubles consequent on the Revolution, the price of tobacco leaf rose to abnormally high figures, and many of the tobacco factories were conducted at a loss.
Tinned Goods.-The three local factories report a very good year, but the total volume of exports fell off owing to the adverse effect of the Revolution and subsequent troubles in Kwang Tung on the output of the Canton factories which send their manufac- tures to their Hong Kong branches for export.
Samshu.-The local manufacturers of native spirits report having had another good year. The total local output (including the New Territories) of all kinds of native spirits was 1,154.360 gallons as compared with something less than 1,100,000 gallons in 1911.
Vinegar.-All the large native distilleries produce vinegar as well as samshu. The year's output of the seven largest firms amounted to 834,000 gallons, a slight falling off on the figures for 1911.
Knitted Vests and Socks.-Another factory was completed in the course of the year, and there are now six establishments, all doing a considerable business, to meet the large and increasing local demand for these articles.
Leather and Hides.-The leather manufactured at the local tanneries is of such inferior quality that it is gradually being driven out of the market by the competition of imported products, it cannot compete with leather tanned in the Straits.
The export of raw hides to Penang, where they are tanned and re-exported to Hong Kong in the form of very fair quality leather, increased largely, owing to the extraordinary demand throughout China for foreign style women's boots and shoes and for military equipment.
Ginger and Preserves.--Very small profits were made by the ginger manufacturers during the year, owing to the rise in the price of raw ginger by $2 a picul. Two shops failed and had to close during the year.
Soy. This trade still remains dull; exports to Singapore and the south have again fallen off.
Paper. The trade has not been quite so good, a large stock remaining unsold at the end of the year.
Vermilion. The output has remained about the same, but the demand has still further slackened, ana prices dropped by $10 to $15 a picul.
Lard.-A considerable amount of lard is manufactured in the Colony for export, chiefly to the Philippines, where regulations requiring the purity of animal products to be certified are in
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