308
14
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
show a decrease, compared with those for the corresponding period of 1913, of 45,332 tons, or 34 per cent., while those for the last five months declined by 250,066 tons, or 18.8 per cent.
Transit Cargo.-Here, again, the effect of the war is very marked. For the whole year there appears a decrease of 513,725 tons, or 10.4 per cent. For the first seven months, however, there is shown an increase of 301,699 tons, or 10.7 per cent., which appears to be very largely due to cargo carried through in German bottoms, where there is shown an increase over the 1913 transit cargo of 214,417 tons, or 51 per cent. The last five months are responsible for the decrease of 815,424 tons, or 16.5 per cent.
Emigration and Immigration.
Seventy-six thousand two hundred and ninety-six (76,296) emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year 1914 (142,759 in 1913).
Of these, 49,780 were carried in British ships, and 26,516 in foreign ships.
One hundred and sixty-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven (168,827) returning emigrants are reported to have been brought to Hongkong from the several places to which they had emigrated either from this Colony or from coast ports, as against 166,921 in 1913. Of these 129,164 arrived in British ships, and 39,663 in foreign ships.
The decrease is due first to the prohibition of deck passenger traffic by Singapore in August on account of plague and secondly is due to the war and the repatriation of coolies from Singapore, no new coolies being permitted to land.
(b).-INDUSTRIES.
(i.)-Under European Management.
Engineering and Shipbuilding.-This industry improved as regards tonnage during the year under review.
Sugar Refineries.--Prices ruled low during the first seven months of 1914, with keen competition from Japanese and Java sugars. On the outbreak of war the Home Government bought largely in Java, and prices were forced up there by over 50 per cent. This, of course, reacted on refineds; with the high prices and reduced supplies thus resulting business during the latter part of the year was considerably below normal but at good profits for the holders of early purchased raws. Demand has been further curtailed by financial difficulties due to the falling off in China's export trade, but on the whole the output of the Colony's refineries was well maintained.
Cotton Spinning,-Owing to the difficulty of securing native labour, the enhanced cost of production, and the disadvantages in the matter of Chinese fiscal charges as compared with Shanghai, the shareholders of the local mill decided to transfer the machinery and undertaking to Shanghai. Work was therefore stopped at the end of October.
The year 1914 has been most unsatisfactory for all engaged in the cotton yarn trade. The heavy fall in cotton values in the early part of the year demoralized the market for a while, but matters were
Page 315
Page 316
308
14
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
show a decrease, compared with those for the corresponding period of 1913, of 45,332 tons, or 34 per cent., while those for the last five months declined by 250,066 tons, or 18.8 per cent.
Transit Cargo.-Here, again, the effect of the war is very marked. For the whole year there appears a decrease of 513,725 tons, or 10:4 per cent. For the first seven months, however, there is shown an increase of 301,699 tons, or 107 per cent., which appears to be very largely due to cargo carried through in German bottoms, where there is shown an increase over the 1913 transit cargo of 214,417 tons, or 51
per cent. The last five months are responsible for the decrease of 815,424 tons, or 16.5 per cent.
Emigration and Immigration.
Seventy-six thousand two hundred and ninety-six (76,296) emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year 1914 (142,759 in 1913).
Of these, 49,780 were carried in British ships, and 26,516 in foreign ships.
One hundred and sixty-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty- seven (168,827) returning emigrants are reported to have been brought to Hongkong from the several places to which they had emigrated either from this Colony or from coast ports, as against 166,921 in 1913. Of these 129,164 arrived in British ships, and 39,663 in foreign ships.
The decrease is due first to the prohibition of deck passenger traffic by Singapore in August on account of plague and secondly is due to the war and the repatriation of coolies from Singapore, no new coolies being permitted to land.
(b).-INDUSTRIES.
(i.)-Under European Management.
Engineering and Shipbuilding.-This industry improved as regards tonnage during the year under review.
Sugar Refineries.--Prices ruled low during the first seven months of 1914, with keen competition from Japanese and Java sugars. On the outbreak of war the Home Government bought largely in Java, and prices were forced up there by over 50 per cent. This, of course, reacted on refineds; with the high prices and reduced supplies thus resulting business during the latter part of the year was considerably below normal but at good profits for the holders of early purchased ravs. Demand has been further curtailed by financial difficulties due to the falling off in China's export trade, but on the whole the output of the Colony's refineries was well maintained.
Cotton Spinning,-Owing to the difficulty of securing native labour, the enhanced cost of production, and the disadvantages in the matter of Chinese fiscal charges as compared with Shanghai, the shareholders of the local mill decided to transfer the machinery and undertaking to Shanghai. Work was therefore stopped at the end of October.
The year 1914 has been most unsatisfactory for all engaged in the cotton yarn trade. The heavy fall in cotton values in the early part of the year demoralized the market for a while, but matters were
Page 315Page 316
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.