1933 — Page 418

416

(82)

STATISTICAL OFFICE REPORT ON THE TRADE OF HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR 1933.

I. General

S 2

II. Imports & Exports Review

S 4

III. Quarterly Values of Imports & Exports for years 1923-1933, in £s and $s.

IV. Treasure Movements

S 10

S 11

V. Import percentages, by Countries

S 11

VI. Total Values of Imports during years 1923-1933, by Countries

S 12

VII. Total Values of Exports during years 1923-1933, by Countries

VIII. Total Values of Imports & Exports (including Treasure) during 1933 by

Countries

8 13

$ 14

IX. Total Values of Imports & Exports during 1933 by Main Groups

X. Total Values of Imports (excluding Treasure) monthly during 1933

XI. Total Values of Exports (excluding Treasure) monthly during 1933

XII. Total monthly Values of Imports, by Main Groups

XIII. Total monthly Values of Exports, by Main Groups

XIV. Imports & Exports by Main Groups and Countries

XV. Wholesale Price Index

S 15

S 16

S 17

S 18

S 19

S 20

S 41

The full effect of the depression in world trade, which was first evidenced in 1929, was not reflected in the statistics of the import and export trade of Hong Kong until 1933, during which period the commerce of the Colony slumped to its lowest recorded level since the Great War at the close of the year there were no visible signs of any early improvement in the situation.

1. Several factors combined to bring about this unsatisfactory state of trade, chief of which were a still further decrease in the purchasing power of China, aggravated by increased tariffs; a heavy carry-over of stocks from 1932, particularly of piece goods; failures of several business houses in Hong Kong and South China, which resulted in extreme reluctance on the part of importers to extend credit facilities; a slump in the building and allied trades, follow- ing a minor boom in 1931 and 1932; and the uncertainty of exchange.

1. Imports of merchandise recorded a decrease (in terms of Hong Kong currency) of 19.7% as compared with 1932, and 32.1% as compared with 1931; while exports decreased by 14.6% as compared with 1932, and 25.6% as compared with 1931.

1. The declared values of imports of merchandise totalled $500.9 millions in 1933, $624.0 millions in 1932, and $737.7 millions in 1931.

1. Exports were valued at $403.1 millions in 1933, $471.9 millions in 1932, and $542.0 millions in 1931.

1. Treasure imports amounted to $38.1 millions in 1933, as compared with $85.3 millions in 1932, and exports to $134.1 millions as against $140.0 millions.