1938 — Page 344

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It is estimated that the quantum of imports of merchandise decreased by 15.2% in 1938 as com- pared with 1937 and increased by 20.5% as compared with 1936.

Of the total declared imports of merchandise into the Colony during the year 1988, China accounted for 37.7% as compared with 34.2% in 1987; United Kingdom 9.1% as compared with 7.6%; U.S.A. 8.8% as compared with 8.4%; Siam 5.9% as compared with 8.7%; Germany 6.3% as compared with 5.0%; and India 1.9% as compared with 1.0%.

The following countries showed declined shares of the import trade:-Japan from 9.4% in 1937 to 3.0% in 1988; Netherlands East Indies from 7.6% to 0.6%; French Indo-China from 0.6% to 5.6%; Australia froni 2.2% to 2.0%; British Malaya from 1.5% to 1.2%; Belgium from 1.6% to 1.0%; and "Other Countries" from 11.2% to 10.9% -

Of the total declared exports of merchandise from the Colony during the year 1938, China accounted for 45.1% as compared with 40.7% in 1937; Macao 4.1% as compared with 3.7%; U.S.A. 10.2% as compared with 8.8% Siam 3.1% as compared with 3.0%; India 1.6% as compared with 1.1%; and "Other Countries 12.9% as compared with 12.2%.

The following countries showed declined shares of the export trade:-British Malaya from 8.5% in 1937 to 7.2% in 1938; French Indo-Chins from 5.1% to 4.5%; Japan from 4.2% to 0.6%; United Kingdom from 4,5% to 4.1%; Kwong Chow Wan from 2.1% to 1.9%; Philippines from 2.8% to 1.9%; and Netherlands East Indies from 3.3% to 2.8%.

Index numbers of wholesale prices in the Colony showed a decreuse of 0.4% in 1938 as compared with 1937, and an increase of 26.7% as compared with 1936.

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS REVIEW.

The following comparative report shows some of the more important import and export movements during the years 1938 and 1937:

ANIMALS (LIVE).

Imports totalled $10.3 millions in 1938 as compared with $8.8 millions in 1987 and exports $108,000 in 1988 as compared with $88,000 in 1937.

Imports of Cutile decreased from 51,360 head ($3.0 millions) in 1937 to 45,522 head ($2.8 millions) in 1938. No imports were recorded from South China in 1938 as compared with 12,363 head ($648,690) in 1937.

Imports of Pigs totalled 315,211 hend ($7.3 millions) as compared with 215,059 head ($5.5 millions), there being large increases in imports from South China and Kwong Chow Wan.

BUILDING MATERIALS.

Imports totalled $8.7 millious as compared with $8.0 millions, and exports $4.3 millions as compared with $4.7 millions.

Imports of Bricks and Tiles decreased from 15.6 million pieces ($149,000) to 13.2 million pieces ($146,000).

There were decreased imports und exports of Cement. Imports totalled 989,000 piculs ($1.8 millions) as compared with 1.2 million pieuls ($1.1 millions), and exports 1.1 million piculs ($2.1 millions) as compared with 1.6 million piculs ($2.6 millions). Imports from Japan decreased from 483,000 piculs in 1937 to 141 piculs in 1938. Imports from French Indo-China increased from 682,000 piculs to 906,000 picule. Exports to British Malaya decreased from 1.3 million piculs to 913,000 piculs.

Imports of Glass (Sheet and Pane) decreased from 11.1 million square feet ($941,000) to 8.0 million square feet ($637,000). Imports from Belgium decreased from 6.0 million square feet to 5.0 million square feet, and North China from 3.2 million square feet to 8,000 square feet. Exports to South China decreased from 4.4 million square feet to 2.9 million square feet.

Imports of Timber (all kinds) increased from $4.7 millious to $4.8 millions.

CHEMICALS AND DRUGS.

Imports totalled $9.3 millions as compared with $10.0 millions, and exports $9.1 millions as compared with $6.5 millions.

Imports of Acids (all kinds) increased from 10,400 piculs ($97,800) to 12,600 piculs ($225,000).

Imports of Pharmaceutical Products increased from $2,809,000 to $2,849,000), and Unenumerated Items decreased from $1.8 millions to $1.6 millions.