1916-05-25 — Page 2

Page

INTIMATIONS

Ten Victor Records which should be in every home.

17242

(Silver Threads, Among The Gold.......

Cello

[Broken Melody

JJuliet's Blumber

35600

Fackeltanz

17660 Venetian Love Song

Finlandia-Tone Poum (Sibelius)

35602 Miss Vixen

Blue Paradies

64827Ah Love, but a day..

54190I Hear You Calling Me

74437-Love's Nocturne

74337---Legende

88401-La Campanella (Liszt)

(Mayerbeer)

One Step

Fox Trot

Song

Violin

8838-Abide With Me (Liddle)

Pianoforte Song:

Rozario Bourdon.

Victor Concert Orchestr. Conway's Band Conway'a Band

Evan Williams.

McCormack,

Hamlin Zimbalist. Pailerewski.. Clara Butt

MOUTRIE'S

VICTOR AGENTS:

THE MOTOR UNION INSURANCE

Apriy

COMPANY, LTD.

invites applications for the

position of Fire and/or

Automobile Insurance

Agent at Hongkong.

The Motor Union is a Member of the Fire Offices Committee. London (Tariff).

ASSETS (excluding uncalled Capital) exceed £400,000

10, St. James Street, London, S.W.

729

(20

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS THURSDAY, MAY 25mm, 1916,

HONGKONG, CANTON, MACAO

WEST RIVER STEAMERS. JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG, CANTON AND MADAU STEAMBOAT CO., LTD., AND CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTDE

HONGKONG-CANTON LINE. Single Fare by Night Biomarke Hotúra

(available also for return

by day siɔamor) in

Single Fare by Day Steamer

Batera

$8,00

11.00

5.00

9.00

CANTON TO HONGKONG

THURSDAY 25TH

MAT, 1916.

HONGKONG TO CANTON. 1

HONAME

10 pm KINSHÄN.

FRIDAY, 20TH MAY

8am, HEUNGSHAN-

RO p.m. FATUHAN.

8 am HEUNGSHAN, pm. FATSHAN.

1936.

#8 HONAM.

6 pm. KINSHAN

HONGKONG-MACAO LINE.

88 TAISHAN, Toan 2,006,

18.8. EDI TAI, Toru 1,851,

A HONGKONG TO MACAO,

Wook days at 8 am and 2 p.m. from the Company's Wing Lok Biras Whart Handayı si 9 am and 1 pm, from the Company's Wing Lok Bireet Wharf.

MACAO TO HONGKONG

Week days si 7.30 am, and 9 pm. Sundays sb 7.8 a.m. And 3 p.) EXCURSION TO MACAO.

SUNDAY, 28rn MAY 1916.

The Company's Now Bloemship

TAISHAN

Will depart from the Company's Wish LOK STRETT WHARF at 9 LM, 15Ổ PHÊ09 from Mamo ni 3 pm, doen me

K.B-The Company will also run a Steamer from Mono on Bunday at 750 LP and from Hongkong it 1 p.m., from the Company's Wing Lok Brook Wharf,

FARES AS USUAL.

MACAO-CANTON LINE

8.8, BUI ANA

Departures from Maoso to Canica on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 p.m. Departures from Craton to Muomo on Tunday, Thursday and Estarčar, 41 4,30 pm, JOINT SERVICE OF THE HONGKONG, CANTON AND MACAO STEAMBOAT CO., LTD., THE CHINA NAVIGATION CO., LTD.. AND THE INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LTD, CANTON WUCHOW LINE.

BR. BAINAM, 688 tons, and 8.8. NANNING, 569 Lo One of the above Blesmere Laras Canton for Washow every Monday, Fodnowday, wat Friday, si abouk Bam. And the cához Jensen, W nehow for Canion on Ball me days 148,50 *=* Found trips inks about 5 days. Pages on return to Hongkong on wios werth by thi Company's direct SteamZINEAR SANUL. The woule have maperior Cabir MeDommodation and are lighted throng honk by électricity. Electris Fan in edol Cabin,

Booking OF open daily fflanday srorphed) 8 km, to 5 p Tartine pretion may may be oblined at the O Mos of the

CHINA'S TRADE IN 1015. REPORT OF THE CHINESE

MARITIME CUSTOMSE

In his report on the Foreign Trade of China for 1815 Mr. FE. Taylor, Statin tical Secretary to the Chinese Maritime Customs, anys

GENERAL

cut off supplies from the Levant and Demand Central Asia, and the participation of Italy also chocked business. from America was strong, and it was only due to unfortunate climatic contli- tions that the export was not greater All the Chinese merchants connected with the trade did extremely well.

that the year would have boon one of

the opium merchants to the Kwangtung exceptional prospority, especially as, authorities of 1,200 cheats at the rate of with the exception of Szechwan, all the Shanghai Ts. 7,100 per chest delivery districts served by the river ports wore to take place by monthly instalments dur free from sericus disturbance or brigan-ng a period not exceeding 18 months, dage. Extraordinary profits were made On the 1st November the Kwangtub, by dealers in tea and other produce and authorities established an official departe the rice erop was plentiful, while beans ment, known as the Government Pre- and beancake, groundnuts and seeds of pared Opium Examination Department, The tea market opened in Hankow dir all kinds, as well as oils, were in demand. with aub-offices in every district, where the 18th May, a week later than in 1914, The demand for antimony sent the opium was sold at the rate of 818 per and the acason proved the most profit- price up rapidly. Before the war anti- thol weight. The merchants having re-able one in the history of the port mony regulus paid an ad valorem export signed their right to ship any further Buyers were anxious to seeuro as such duty on a conventional value of Hk. Ts stocks to Kwangtung, this department as possible, and quantity was inore con- por tôn, whersas it paid during the practically constituted a nonopoly, but sidored than quality. The commonest December quarter at Changsha on the price charged was too high to attract teas that brought from The 12 to 17 in value of between Hk. Tla. 800 and 900 the general public, who found it more 1911 were eagerly taken at Tls. 32, and per ton The export of quicksilver, reconomien to procure supplies through the largest profas were made in the lower modest gains It is said that the quired for making fulminates, was less legitimate channels, grades, the best qualities yielding noref

Chinese dealeră made 100 per cent. on greatly stimulated.

their purchases of the first crop, and the

The Quality was above the average. second crop also fetched handsome pricss

Foochow markets. In July the adverse amo remarks apply to the Kiukiang and

four came from Australia, and Chinese-

The value e of cotton goods imported fell from Hk. Tls. 18,328,473 in 1914 to Hk. Tls:148,300,513, but this comparison what the actual dimination in trade gives quite un imperfect impression of amounted to and of the embarrassments

ly great falling off in quantities. White being the symbol of mourning in wear must be dyed, and dyes were either China, all white clothes for externa almost prohibitive prices. Rising entirely wanting or only to be had a freights and the impossibility of fixing

to the difficulty of doing business, and statistics of imports Plain grey shirt inge fell from 3,875,241 to 8,252,610 pieces, plain grey sheetings, from 5,706,232 to 3,016,073 pieces; white shirt ings, from 4,498,304 to 3,232,270 pieces,

having for Russia, which reduced prices newd demand for the balance remaining considerably, until in November &

The total exports from China were: in stock somewhat raised them again. black tea 771,141 piculs, as against 613,298

8 against 200,738 picals: brick tea, both showed satisfactory advances. The Chin- es dealers are very hopeful about the prospects of the trade for 1016, but if they would insist on an improvenientan cultivation and manufacture they would

which they base their hoper. As a matter of fact, the size of the stocks in London, and a fowered consumption, together and in freights, make it very improbable with the great rise in the silver exchange that the 1916 season will be as prosper ous for them as its predecessor, and they are likely to be rudely disappointed in their expectations of equally good prices

scale. and to find, on the contrary, that their profits will be on a much more moderate

The interference with commerce of the European war was very marked during 1915, principally owing to the scarcity of toanage and to the rise in freights- But for this drawback it is quite plain that the year would have been one of very brisk trade, notwithstanding the unrest paused by the Japanese demands carly the year and the fears of possible dis turbances when the announcement was made that chango hit the form of In the Sonth the piece-goods trade Government was contemplated. The was as elsewhere, hampered by delayed Indignation aroused by the demands led deliveries and by the difficulty of ohonin to a campaign against Japanese goodle ing colours to suit the market, while the that lasted for four months in som pro shortage of oves hindered the clearance vinces, in spite of the steps taken by the of white and grey shirtings. There was with which importers had to contend effects of the low rouble exchange began.

an active demand for fancy goods at en- Chinese Government to stop it, and must have resulted in serious loss to Japan, as / Hanced prices, but woollen goods were too since higher prices hide the comparative to be felt, and there was a cessation of

dear and were also difficult to obtain the people not only refused to purchase from Europe, so that old stocks were Japanese goods, but shippers, refrained. at Boule ports from sending cargo by gradually cleared off. Metale, also, went Japariese vessels. By the end of Septem-up very much in price. Flour was in ber the agitation had died out, but in short supply, and American prices were the meanwhile Chinese manufacturers of up in consequence of high freights. No certain goods similar to those imported milled flour found a ready sale. In cat forward prices or time of delivery added cula in 1914; green tea, 300,394 picals, from Japan, such us candles, soap tom yarn Japanese 20's seem to bave the result is shown very plainly in the black and green, and tablet ten also: cigaretius, matches, towels, cotton under driven out the Bombay count. The cam- clothing, cotton cloth, boots and shoes. mirrors, sugar, and umbrellas, took adpaign against Japanese goods acceins tu have been more effective in the South vantage of the situation to push the salon in North and Central Ching but of their goods

it did not last long. Piracy on the Can The Chinese dealers did very well in ton River was not quite so frequent drills, from 2,384,015 to 1,717,704 pieces and it viold more prostable results than tea, silk, anlimony, and in andline dyes owing to the policy of establishing put- which rose enormously in value and were rols and garrisoning dangerous locali Jeans, from 1,188,267 to 1,813,058 pieces even the cessation of the war, upon resold at immense profit. The scarcity ties. But the North River ons High freights from America and Europe of chemical dyes and of synthetic indigo insafe for native craft that most of the assisted the Japanese trade, and we find mal to 4 revival of the enltivation of freight has been diverted to the railway a marked increase in Japanese shirtings, natural indigo, an interesting example,

cloth, and handkerchiefs, the increase in of the rapidity with which Chinese Junks only travel in fleets, and engage jeans, T-cloths, cotton flannel, cotton soldiers, who are supplied by agents farmers meet the demands of the market.

One of the features of the trade of the guaranteeing a safe passage. The junks Jeans amounting to 500,000 pieces. Whi year has been the increased production pay, it is said, a fee of 5 per cent of white goods were hampered by the lack of and ready sale of cotton yarn and cot the value of their cargo, and the agents dyes in China, coloured gonds wore ton piece goods manufactured in China. pay the pirates to leave them alone, both handicapped by the difficulty of procur- There are now over a cotton mills work agents and soldiers being part of the ing shades wanted by the market, and the throughout the list, with the exception ing, with 1,020,218 spindles, and 4,810 pirate organisation.otodome decrease in arrivals is found The disastrous floods in July, the worst of the Japanese goods mentioned. It loums, and further extensions are pro jected. The capacity is estimated at ever recorded in the West River basin may be interesting to show the way in which the dearth of dyes has reacted 800,000 fales of yarn and 1,383,000 pieces destroyed the whole of the first rice crop and in some districta reduced the amount of 40 yards. The Ministry of Commerce of the second crop, and also caused great upon the piece goods trade. Before the being 6,485,013 tons less than in 1914. These reports that there are in Human and loss of life. All the dikes along the West invention of synthetic indigo the Chinese Sailing vosscla showed a total of 6,021.77% Shantung 16,400,000 m under cotton,

River and most of these bordering the nood vegetable indigo for dyeing white tons and a loss of 838,195 tons. In Szechwan, Kwangtung, Kwangsi

North River were broken, and it is esti- cloth, but the results obtained were not figuros include the tonnage of Chinese Hupel, and Chekiang 11,100,000 mor making a total of 27,500,000 men, with mated that it will cost millions of So satisfactory as those derived from the shipping. There was a diminution in on estimated crop of 1,080,500 piculs of dollars to repair them. The bursting of use of the chemical product, as colour American tonnage of about 200,000 tons, elean cotton. The Japanese mills are a dike on the North River about 3 miles and quality were variable and cloth re in British of about 1,600,000 tons, i said to have working 2,414,344 spindles abovo Canton caused the destruction of quired to be dipped at least twice before Danish of 24,000 tons, in French of 337-0002 and 24,223 loomis. From which it will be 2,000 houses in the city of Canton, and anything approaching a uniform tint tons, in Japanese of 120,000 tons, in Rus- seen to while the Japanese have one another 400 houses were destroyed by was secured. The synthetic indigo, prov-sian of 32,000 tons, in Portugüces of loon to 99 spindles, the Chinese have a confiagration said to have been started ing not only more efficient but cheaper 150,000 tons while the Austrian flag

cultivation, and although a certain quan- from 4,026 493 to 58,263 tons, represente one to £23 spindles. The increase in the by incendiarios. The silk districts suffer in use, gradually drove indigo out of disappeared and German tonnage fel demand for Chinese machine-woven clothed enormous damage and the production tity was grown last summer to meet the by small steamers plying on inland from sufficient and the price was high, 100,000 tons and the Swedish by 29,000 insistent demand, the supply was far water. The Dutch lag improved by There were some stocks of aniline dyes tons Norwegian and Chinese remained in the country when war broke out, and about the same, except that there was a the lucky holders have made handsome falling off in the junk trade. fortunce The following is an approxi mately correct statement of the difference in the cost of dyeing per piece of 20 yards before the war and at the present

Before At the War Present. White shirtings: blue... 2005 82.70 White shirtings: pink

·0.10

1.50 and scarlet ........ Grey shirtings: blu, 0.25 8.00 4.00 Groy sheetings blue > 0.00 Grey sheetings black 1.00 3.00

mony.

REVENUE.

was greatly lowered! A few direct ship- seems certain to lead to the installation of more looms, and there is little doubt ments of hides from Wuchow to London that the cotton spinning and weaving were so successful that this trade seems industry will show rapid and extensive likely to develop. Although the prin development in corta in lines

sipal market for cassia Germany was The impossibility of obtaining money closed, there was an increased demand for railway building autorally resulted from Great Britain and America Anti in an almost complete cessation of work. mooy, which is found all along the upper The influence of railways in extending part of the West River, was called for trade was pointed out in the Report writin very large quantities, and steps were taken to encourage the establishment of ten last year, and it is greatly to be re gretted that the difficulties should have molting works The frontier ports in arisen just when the importance of in-Yunnan also report the export of anti proving means of communication had been so clearly recognised that great ex- tensions had been decided upon, and when so much was being dung to carry out quite an imposing programme of you struction. In the absence of funds to build railways, much might be done the way of providing ronds suitable for motor traffic, the value of which has beca startlingly proved during the war. Suca roads will, in any case, be needed to feed the railways when built, and mean while they would be of mistimable value in facilitating trade and in bringing all parts of the country into closer relations Lungkow, in the province of Shantung, was formally opened to foreign trade on the 1st November

The total collection during 1915 was Hk. Tls 0,747,700, a decrease of Hk Ts. 2,160,819 as compared with 1914 but better than any year previous to 1812. of the deeruse, Hk. Tis. 926,094 was due to reduction in the receipts from opium duty and likin, and Hk. Tls. 296,000 to a loss in tonnage dues, leaving only Bk. The 916, 134 as the fall in the amount of dyes and duties collected from general merchandise. Import duties were lower by Hk: The 3,571,825 and tran it dues ly Hk Ths. 39,301; but export duties increased by Hk Tls. 2,395,990 and coast trade duties by Hk. Tls 900,004 From these figures it is clear that, while the Chinese bought tower foreign goods on account of their dearness and the difficulty of procuring them, the trad in Chinese produce was better than ever, as is proved by the fact that the export duties of Hk Tis. 15,439,709 were the highest on record.

time

It is said that the cost of dyeing cotton cloth woven in the country from import ed cotton yarn is equal to the cost of the yarn and of the labour employed in weaving. Woollen and cotton mixtures and woollen goods, as also miscellaneous piece goods, show still more serious de crease and metals were almost worse. Among sundries we notice the disappear ance of soiline dyes and artificial indigo, and a Lalling away in needles from 2,666,500 to 209,457 mille The Chines shops are now charging 10 cents for two needles.

SHIPPING.

The tonnage of steamers entered and cleared amounted to 84,841,227 tons,

Exchange ruled low at the commence ment of the year, opening in Shanghai at 2s 2fd for the tael It gradually

rose to 28. 4d, until July, when a drop of one penny took place until the middle of August, when it stood at Ss. 3d. From that date it rose steadily, with aud den jump of threepence in the last half of November, and the rear ended with the table of 29, 72d., a rise of nearly 20 per cent during the year. It will be noticed in the table of treasure imported from and exported to foreign countries that the export of treasure was greatly in excras of the import, which was hard. ly to be expected in view of the fact that the value of the export trade was the highest on record. This may be partly explained by the fact that in the early part of the year, when trade was still dull, treasure was going away in conges quence of the falling off of the exports in 1914 But towards the end of the year conditions had changed said, in spite of the higher exchange, oxnorts were so brisk that money was required to pay for So them. There was in consequence a great Beports. As said above, the value of diminution in the stocks held by the the exports was the highest ever recorded, banks, which on the 21st December had and it would have been higher but for fallen to Tls. 59,430,000 and $17,500 000 in the shortness of cargo space and greatly Shanghai, as the money had been draw increased rates of freight. Chinese cot-out to go up country to pay for produce. The value of the direct foreign trade ton goods showed a remarkable advane, The plausibility of this solution is suD- was Hk. Tis, 873,336,883, a falling off of and metals were in great demand. Anti-ported by the fact that gold has been re- Hk. Tls 52,131,128 as compared with the mony rose from 324,727 to 286,200 piculs; turning since the close of the vear, and value in 1914, but was still higher than in copper ingots and slabs, from 1,829 to at the time of writing is still coming any year previous to 1913 The salue of the 45,084 picule, pig iron, from 001,266 to in As regards gold, which in China is direct foreign imports was leas by HE 1,690,180 picule; tin, from 119,225 to not used for currency and is bought and is 114,765,663, but exports increased by 132,379 piculs; zinc, from 5,123 to 38,400 sold like any other commodity, there was HET 62,634,635, and the value of picule; and unclassed metals, from profit to be made by selling owing t HL T-418,861,184, was higher than any 22,034 to 148,000 piens. Beans of all kinds the demand caused by the war, and previous record. The statistics from were taken freely, as were other food Chinese speculators bought largely. It Kinochoy cover only four months, from stuffs. Fibres did well. Liquid indigo is said that there was a considerable ex the lat September, when the control of rose from 13,830 to 53,860 piculs Benn vortation both from China and Japan the Castor Hosas restored to the oil advanced from 607 177 La 1,017.0 to supply a shortage in America. Russia The Dairen Commissioner reports that Inspectorate General of Custom and ipicula, and peas from 277,350 to 403,400 took Hk. Tla 8,388,224 in silver for coin. the first pig iron was turned out by the is possible that about 14 millions of ticuls Cotton seed, rape seed and sesa ng purposes Half the movement of Penkihu Colliery and Iron Mining Com should be deducted from the recorded oss mum seed were shipped in greatly in- treasure was between Hongkong and BONY ECreased quantities There was a brisk Chinesports, and treasure held in pany on the 10th January. The annual of traderek output is estimated at 30,000 tons, valued ImportThe et quantity of opium demand for tanned and untanned goat Hongkong may be regarded as remaining at 1 million gold yen, and will be shipped imported, that is, released from bond for skips, and for other skins and furs. in China. The copper coins mentioned to Japan from Dairen in the winter and consumption after payment of duty and As regards silk, wild silk found a in the table as exported were Japane from Newchwang at other seasons. The likin, was 4,447 piculs, as against 7.484 ready sale and all stocks remaining over copper cash, sent back from Hanko Bouth Manchuria Railway Company piculs in 1914. At the end of 1914 there from ne pravous year were rapidly made a call on the shareholders of 4 were 6,381 chests and 23 half-chests in heared off owing to demands from Janan quillions of yen, to capita liss various new hond in China, 1,917 chests in Hongkong, and elsewhere The crop in Manchuria enterprises. The passing by the Japanese and 18 chests afloat between Hongkong was rather serously affected by the heavy Imperial Diet of a bill for the establish and Shanghai, and 1915 closed with 2,488

and dearer, and the production was less ment of a special bank to financs Japan- chests and 12 half-cheets in bond in China rains which made the cocoons lighter but the year was profitable as the market ess enterprises in Manchuria and Mon (all in Shanghai) and 973, chests and I golia was warmly welcomed in commer half chest in Hongkong. The price at was strong undgod prices were realised cial circles. It is quite evident that the the commencement of the year was ap The total export amounted to 34.004 trade of Manchuria will, when normal proximately Shanghai Tha 7,000 to 7,400.ricals, as against 1,072 nicula in 1914 conditions prevail, ahow a large and com which by the 31st December had risen to There was a dista yellow raw silk the

mand for whit stant increase, and the probabilities are Tis, 8,700 to 9,000. During the year the that the increase will be very rapid

In November the British Government, in visw of the fact that, while the export of beans and bean oil from Vladivostoc to beutal countries had been forbidden, no such restrictions were imposed on similar goods exported from Dairen pro

ozed that, pending the conclusion of FOREIGN TRADE satisfactory arrangements to prevent such goods from reaching enemy coun trics, the Japanese Government should prohibit the export of beans and bean oil from Dairen to neutral countries unless they first touched at an English port There were various objections to this pro posal and it appears to have fallen through, but the probibition by the British Government of the re export of ceraals, etc. from England overstocked the market there and acted as a check on exportations from Manchuria,

MISCELLANEOUS

About 15 years ago a training college was established in Shanghai by the Japanees, known as the Tungya Tang Government funds. The students of wên Shu-yuan, which was assisted by whom there are at pront sout 300, are specially trained for work in China The college course lasts for three year and 900 students have already passed g and are now at work in differ. ent parts of China, pushing their coun-

Orevious year is result has been secured at Siccawei, and new 100 (Stokiang) were addeu dall trade, but there was on the whole vinces into which, as being free from is the more satutory as fem all the and suitable premises are to be erected progressive improvement, chiefly due to poppy cultivation, the importation of producing districts reports can of short shortly. Ta 1908 the value of Japan good crops. The campaign against foreign and Chinese opium is forbidden crona of cocoons. In the Onton dis direct trade with Chine was T Japanese shipping and goods was for under the Anglo Chinese Agreement of tricts floods caused immense dug, x1 20,820,008, and in 1913 it mounted to time felt rather severely at soma of the 1911. Two events of interest in conas the price of silk was forced to Ram Hkk Ti 187,923,331, without instudi river ports, but at Hankow the authority tion with the trade took place during tapor bicul While the way cand a diui. the unrecorded trade at Kinochow dur that opium wution of consumption in Rowe, and ing eight months of the year probably nother 14 milliods. From whic of the Government rendered I pract your The first was

agreed

brought about a scarcity oflled work wort

vhic preventad ould appear that results have fulls cally abortive. Had it not been for the merchants

men and also of dives, stock

orders for silk Bhortage in tonnage which hampered in Chinese Government a vol

Japanese methods of developing-

On the Yangtaze the year opened rovinces (if Kansu and the New Deming exports being 109,093 piculs; 18. against try's commercial interests. A large site-

HONGKONG, CANTON & MACAO STEAMBOAT Co., LAT..ports the extra cost, and made it dibution of 83,500 per chest ou

cult to send away esports, it is evident 6,000 cheats. The second as the sale by filled, the entry of

Hotel Kuusioms (Firi Fice), oprosti

fotbeme the war