438
10
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
Cotton.-Liverpool Cotton in January was quoted at 20·04d. per lb. for spot and during the end of the month it receded a few points and steadily declined until about the end of March it was quoted at 15·86d. for ready and 13·61d. for forward. It then rose steadily with very few set-backs, until the end of July when it was quoted at 21·44d. for spot, 21·71d. and 21·97d. for September/October respectively. It again declined and during September it touched as low as 17·60d. for spot. After reaching this point it again firmed up and steadily advanced to 27·50d. at which it was quoted at the end of the year.
The year opened with Exchange at 3/4. It declined slowly until by the beginning of March it reached 3/03. It then reacted and has steadily risen with a few fluctuations until at the close of the year T/Ts. on London were quoted at 4/10½.
Trading has been rendered somewhat difficult by the various alterations in the value of the Rupee which in January was equivalent to 1/6 and rose at the end of the year to 2/5¾.
Rope Making. The demand for Manilla Cordage was fairly good but the total turnover showed a falling-off from that of the previous twelve months. The high rates of exchange and freight which ruled throughout the year affected considerably our exports to gold-standard countries.
Cement Manufacture.-The demand continued good during the year and tonnage was more plentiful. The high exchange again interfered to a very large extent with exports to gold-standard countries. On the whole the turnover compared favourably with the last three years.
(ii.)-Under Chinese Management.
Tin-This trade showed a decrease as compared with that in 1918. Imports from Yunnan during the year amounted to about 6,800 tons and from Kwangsi to about 200 tons as against 12,500 tons and 200 tons respectively in 1918. From Java 320 tons were imported and from the Straits 2,000 tons.
During the year about 250 tons were exported to Japan, 4,200 tons to Shanghai and other China Coast Ports, and 900 tons to Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
Rattan and Fibre Furniture.-During 1919 the value of rattan and fibre furniture exported from this port increased from $10,000 to $380,000. The value of Rattan Canes exported was about $200,000 and that of Rattan Core and Seagrass was $400,000 and $80,000 respectively.
Native Tobacco.-This trade was a little better than that in 1918.
Tinned Goods.-The volume of business done during the year showed a slight increase over that done in 1918.
Samshui Vinegar. The volume of business was about the same as that in 1918.
Knitted Vests and Socks.-The volume of business increased by 10%, and prices went up about 5%.
Page 445
Page 446
438
10
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS-ANNUAL.
Cotton.-Liverpool Cotton in January was quoted at 20-04d. per lb. for spot and during the end of the month it receded a few points and steadily declined until about the end of March it was quoted at 15.86d. for ready and 13-61d. for forward. It then rose steadily with very few set-backs, until the end of July when it was quoted at 21-44d. for spot, 21-71d. and 21.97d. for September/October respectively. It again declined and during September it touched as low as 17·60d, for spot. After reaching this point it again firmed up and steadily advanced to 27·50d. at which it was quoted at the end of the year.
The year opened with Exchange at 3/4. It declined slowly until by the beginning of March it reached 3/03. It then reacted and has steadily risen with a few fluctuations until at the close of the year T/Ts. on London were quoted at 4/101.
Trading has been rendered somewhat difficult by the various alterations in the value of the Rupee which in January was equivalent to 1/6 and rose at the end of the year to 2/53.
Rope Making. The demand for Manilla Cordage was fairly good but the total turnover showed a falling-off from that of the previous twelve months. The high rates of exchange and freight which ruled throughout the year affected considerably our exports to gold- standard countries.
Cement Manufacture.-The demand continued good during the year and tonnage was more plentiful. The high exchange again interfered to a very large extent with exports to gold-standard countries. On the whole the turnover compared favourably with the last three years.
(ii.)-Under Chinese Management.
Tin-This trade showed a decrease as compared with that in 1918. Imports from Yunnan during the year amounted to about 6,800 tons and from Kwangsi to about 200 tons as against 12,500 tons and 200 tons respectively in 1918. From Java 320 tons were imported and from the Straits 2,000 tons.
During the year about 250 tons were exported to Japan, 4,200 tons to Shanghai and other China Coast Ports, and 900 tons to Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
Rattan and Fibre Furniture.-During 1919 the value of rattan and fibre furniture exported from this port increased from $10,000 to $380,000. The value of Rattan Canes exported was about $200,000 and that of Rattan Core and Seagrass was $400,000 and $80,000 respectively.
Native Tobacco.-This trade was a little better than that in 1918.
Tinned Goods.-The volume of business done during the year showed a slight increase over that done in 1918.
Samsh. The volume of business was about the same as that Vinegar.
in 1918.
Knitted Vests and Socks.-The volume of business increased by 10%, and prices went up about 5%.
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