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YARNS.
46. The rapid decline in the imports of yarn since the new Tariff Law was imposed in 1926, is very striking, although the trade has not yet diminished to the same extent as the import of tops.
Total Imports of Yarn into Japan from all sources.
1913
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
(In thousand lb.)
7,325
15,477
12,247
18,266
11,569
7,418
7,930
The total import of woollen and worsted yarn into Japan in 1913 was 7,325,000 lb. The maximum import of 25,975,000 lb. was reached in 1923, since when there has been a rapid decline to 7,418,000 lb. in 1929 and 7,930,000 lb. in 1930. Great Britain's share has decreased
from 4,576,000 lb or 25.1 per cent. in 1927 to
517,000 lb. or 10.0 per cent. for the first 8 months of
1930.
During the same period, the share of Germany and Poland com- bined, has altered
from 8,501,000 lb. or 46.6 per cent. in 1927
to
3,818,097 lb. or 74.1 per cent. for the first 8 months of
1330.
Table III, Appendix B, shows the movements in the yarn import trade to Japan in greater detail.
47. The total exports of woollen and worsted yarns from Great Britain to Japan in 1913 and during the last seven years were as follows:-
(In thousand lb.),
1913
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
465
6,442
3,393
2,653
4,356
2,800
1,529
1,109
The decline in the total imports of yarn into Japan, and in the yarn exports from Great Britain to Japan since 1924, is clearly related to the imposition of the new tariff in 1926, when the duty was raised to Yen 27.70 per 100 kin, or about 5d. per lb., for counts not exceeding 2/32 m.m., and to Yen 24.42 per 100 kin, or about 4 d. per lb., for finer counts. As these are flat rate weight
33
duties, they naturally press most heavily on the cheaper and thicker qualities. On certain classes of yarns -for example, low woollen spun yarns, partly or wholly made of remanufactured wool-they are equivalent to so high an ad valorem duty as to be practically prohibitive.
Imports from the Continent of Europe are chiefly drycombed and mule spun yarns in fine counts (2/60 m.m. to 2/86 m.m, or finer), used largely for Kimono cloths, Imperial serges, etc., the chief suppliers being Germany and Poland.
(Note. As some Polish yarn is shipped from German ports, it is not possible to say that the figures of imports into Japan definitely refer to actual productions of the two countries.)
Single yarns were formerly imported largely from the Continent of Europe. Japanese spinners are now able to supply the bulk of the demand themselves.
48. The imports from England consist largely of crossbred weaving and hosiery yarns in oil, and handknitting yarns. The decline in the import of crossbred yarns from England is chiefly due to the competition of the Japanese mills, which are now spinning these yarns in increasing quantities.
The decline has been further accentuated in the last twelve months by the fact that fine wools have fallen in price more than the lower qualities. This has enabled some European spinners, (notably Poland) to offer dry spun yarns in finer qualities and counts at lower prices than British crossbred yarns in oil. In consequence, the trade has turned more to the Continental yarns. The Con- tinental spinner is able to beat the British spinner largely because of
(1) lower rates of wages,
(2) longer hours,
(3) the large and inevitable saving in overhead costs which follow the above, and
(4) lower taxation.
WORSTED AND WOOLLEN CLOTH IMPORTS.
49. Tables IV, V, VI, and VII, Appendix B, set out the move- ments of the cloth imports into Japan in detail. These show :—
(1) That Japan's total imports of cloth have decreased
10375
from £6.165 million in 1924
to £1.030 million for the first 9 months of 1930. That of these amounts, Great Britain's trade has declined
from £5.899 million or 95.8 per cent. in 1924.
to £813,000 or 78.9 per cent. for the first 9 months
of 1930.
B
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