Rice. There was an appreciable increase in the imports of rice accounted for by the exceptionally large crops gathered during the year both in Siam and Indo China, and the excessive demand from South China owing to the Floods and large tracts of rice land not being under cultivation. This again being a local trade, has been unaffected by the war.
Timber, -Here an increase is shown which is due to the falling off of stocks at the end of 1914, which have been more than made up this year.
Opium. The clearance of the old stock of certified opium has been proceeding quietly. Imports have come practically entirely from Shanghai. On the 1st October the Opium Suppression Comi- missioner for the Provinces of Kwang Tung, Kiang Si and Kiang So came to an agreement with the merchants forming the Opium Combine to purchase the whole of the stock of certified opium then lying in Hongkong. The export of certified opium is now therefore confined to deliveries to the Kwang Tung Government.
Imports, Exports,
Malwa. l'atna. Benares. Total. thesta. Chests. Cheats. Chests.
127 007
45 371
12 147
182
1,125
Eight hundred and fifty-two (852) chests of Persian opinn were imported and 850 exported, the destination being either London or Formosa. 839 chests of uncertified Indian opium were imported from Tudia, of which 500 chosts wore exported to Macao. The remainder was for the use of the Government Opium Monopoly. The table below shows the total huports and exports since 1908:—
Stock in baud on let January, Imported during
---
the year,uure--
10/5. 1914. | 1013. 1912. 1911. 1010. 1000. 1908. Chests. Chests. Chests, Chests, Chests. Chests. Chests Chests.
2.2501 4.5801 5,500 7,582 7,128 4,509 5,808 1.707
1,878 2,059 9,1081|12.961† 21.296 81,743 $3,784 $1,821
Testal....... 4,128|| 7.640 14,6681 19,918) 28,409 86,232 41.642 16.328
11 -
General. The decrease here of 47,562 tous is small, only amounting to 2%. This of course as in the preceding year is duc entirely to the war and the small amount of goods being exported from European countries.
EXPORTS.
An increase is shown in Exports of 79,793 tous or 3%. Tuis again is principally local, as trade has been particularly brisk between Hongkong, the Straits and India. Coast Ports have also had a large share of attention, But although an increase is shown for the year, export trade is still far below the average of 1913.
Transit Cargo.—The diocrease in Transit Cargo which was very marked in 1014 has continued to decrease to a still greater extent this year, and the same reason must undoubtedly be given-for it, riz., the falling off in large Ocean Vessels visiting the Port both from European and American ports.
Emigration and Immigration.
Sixty-eight thousand two hundred and seventy-five (68,275) emigrants left Hongkong for various places during the year 1915 (76,296 in 1914).
Of these, 46,588 were carried in British ships, and 21,687 in Foreign ships.
Statement of Number of Emigrants to Shaite Settlements, 1909 to 1915, compared with Totul Chinese Emigration.
1909,
1910.
1911,
1912.
1913.
1914.
1915,
So. of Emigranta
Total No. of
ro
Strafta Settlements.
Emigrants.
48,016
77,430
76,705
111,058
100,906
135,565
84,024
122,657
102,553
142,759
44.974
70,296
41.278
08,275
Boiled by Opiam
Farmer.
-
Boiled by Govern.
ment.
840
##
6167
1,128 761 782
1,041
804
Spurious Opirm
destroyed,
17
19
3
14
គ
247
Missing or stolen, Exported during
the year,
2
2460
4.9114 9,419 18,2644 80,061 23,388 35,938 39.009
Toll...
2,826 6,389 10,088 14,888||20,822 19.12 37,083
40.120
Stock remaining on
31st December... 1,2091 2,2561 4.5801 5.560 7,587 7,123 1.500
5,809
One hundred and nine thousand seven hundred and fifty- three (109,753) 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 againer 168,827 in 1914. Of these 82,057 arrived in British ships, and 27.696 in Foreign ships,
(b.) INDUSTRIES.
(1.)-Under European Management. Engineering and Shipbuilding.--The figures are as follows for the years 1914 and 1915 :--
423
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