1937 — Page 338

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It is estimated that the quantum of imports of merchandise increased by 12.2% in 1987 as com pared with 1936 and 53.3% as compared with 1935.

Of the totul declared imports of merchandise into the Colony during the year 1937, China accounted for 84.2% as compared with 33.6% in 1986; United Kingdom 7.6% its cor spared with 6.4%; U.S.A. 8.4%

as compared with 7.1%%%: French Indo-China 6.6% as compared with 5.7%; Australia 2.2% as compared with 2.0%; Belgium 1.6% as compared with 1.5%; and "Other Countries" 11.2% as com. pared with 7.7%.

The following countries showed declined shares of the import trade:-Japan from 12.8% in 1930 to 9.4% in 1937; Netherlands East Indies from 8.5% to 7.6%; Siam from 6.8%, to 3.7%; Germany from 5.2% to 5.0%: British Malaya from 1.6% to 1.5%; and India from 1.3% to 1.0%.

Of the total declared exports of merchandise from the Colony during the year 1997, British Malaya accounted for 8.5% as compared with 7.3% in 1936; French_Indo-China 5.1% as compared with 5.0%; U.S.A. 8.8% as compared with 8.1%; Netherlands East Indies 8.3% as compared with 2.8% and Other Countries 16.7% as compared with 13.5%. Macao's share of the trade remained the same at 3.7%.

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The following countries showed declined shares of the export trade-China from 42.7% in 1988 to 40.7% in 1987; Japan from 5.1% to 4.2%; Siam from 4,19% to 3.0%; Kwong Chow Won from 3.0% to 2.1%; Philippines from 3.3% to 2.8% and India from 1.1% to 1.1%.

Wholesale Prices in the Colony showed an increase of 27.2% in 1937 as compared with 1936, and an increase of 68.3% as compared with 1985. Tncreases were recorded in each of the four groups of commodities, viz., Foodstuffs, Textiles, Metals and Minerals, and Miscellaneous Articles,

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS REVIEW.

The following comparative report shows some of the more important import and export movements during the years 1937 and 1936:

ANIMALS (LIVE).

Imports totalled $8.8 millions in 1987 as compared with $8.0 millions in 1986 and exports $88,000 in 1937 as compared with $134,000 in 1936.

Imports of Cattle decreased in quantity but increased in value from 52,246 hend ($2.3 millions) in 1986 to 51,300 head ($3.0 millions) in 1987. There were increased imports from French Indo-China amounting to 10,995 head ($775,000) in 1937 as compared with 2,000 head ($153,000) in 1936.

Imports of Pigs totulled 215,059 head ($5.5 millions) as compared with 248,140 hend (85.4 millions), there being a large decrease in imports from North China.

BUILDING MATERIALS.

Imports totalled $8.0 millions as compared with $6.6 millious, and exports $4.7 millions as com- pared with $3.5 millions.

Imports of Bricks and Tiles increased from 12.0 million pieces ($134,000) to 15.6 million pieces ($149,000), the entire import arriving from South China.

There were decreased imports of Cement and increased exports. Imports totalled 1.2 million piculs ($1.1 millions) as compared with 1.4 million piculs ($10 million), and exports 1.6 million piculs ($2.6 millions) as compared with 892,000 piculs ($1.1 millions). Imports from Japan decreased from 1.0 million piculs in 1936 to 483,000 piculs in 1937. Imports from French Indo-China increased froin 343,000 piculs to 682,000 piculs. Exports to British Malaya increased from 524,000 piculs to 1.3 million piculs. There were largely decreased exports to China.

Imports of Glass (Sheet and Panc) increased from 6.1 million square feet ($511,600) to 11.1 million square feet ($941,000). Imports from Belgium increased from 2.3 million square feet to 6.0 million square feet, and North China from 2.2 million square feet to 3.2 million square feet. Exports to South China increased from 3.7 million square feet to 4.4 million square feet.

Imports of Timber (all kinds) increased from $3.5 millions to $4.7 millions.