1918-04-19 — Page 2

Page

INTIMATIONS

A VICTROLA

brings to your

INFURTAINMENT,

home

INSPIRATION.

Victor

EDUCATION

Vidacia XVE

Värel XTV.

Vitrola VIL

STYLES AND PRICES TO SUIT AL

20% Discount allowed for

10%

Bash with order. monthly accounts.

MOUTRIE'S

Summit

TUNIC SHIRTS.

An exceedingly satisfactory Shirt for general day wear. Made of thin white Zephyr with self stripes, has soft double cuffs and is cut on the right lines to secure perfect fit..

$3.50 each, 6 for 19.50.

MACKINTOSH

& CO., LTD.,

Men's Wear Specialists.

16, DES VEUX ROAD.

LA.

Telephone 29.

MINERVA

CIGAR FACTORY.

ESTABLISHED 1888.

£100.

EPICURES A REALLY DELIGHTFUL SMILL "CIGAR

in Boxes 25 82.

REINA MARIA EXCELLING IN RICH FLAVOUR

AND FAULTLESS BURNING

in Boxes of 50 84.

LANE. CRAWFORD & CO.,

AGENTS IN HONGKONG AND SOUTH CHINA.

GRAND HOTEL,

SEASON

1918

[1881

GRAND ANNEX. GRAND STRAND.

TSINGTAU

·IDEAL SEA-BATHING”

Commencing,

MAY 15th.

TNAGAO, General Manager.

CLOSE

THE HONGKONG DALEI PERES, FBIDAY, APRIL 19TH.

CHINA'S FOREIGN TRADE IN 1917

NO DELICATE EXOTIC BUT A HARDY AND RAPIDLY GROWING PLANT.

In his report on the foreign trade of China during 1917, Mr. F. E. Taylor, statistical secretary to the Chinese Maritime Customs, says: ---

It may be fairly said that all the in- pediments to trade noted in the reports for 1915 and iple were intensified 10 1917. There was a farther riss in the value of silver, the average exchange value of Haikwan thel during 1917, being 48. 1 13-16d, as against 38, 313-104, 1016, which would, under normal condi tions, have been expected to stimulate imports and depress exports. While this was, no doubt, the case to a limited tent, the chief visible effect of the rish in exchange was to cause a great tight | ness of money, because the temptation to buy gold at favourable rates led to markets being denuded of currency, while mmigrants abroad reduced their home remittances to the lowest figure and re frained from ordering their usual quan titica of Chinese sundries,

Tho beat yielded 13 per cent of sugor, Which is considered eminently satisfac tory. In order to cultivate the taste for bect sugar, which may be difficult in the prospective markets of,Manchuria and Shantung, the beet sugar will at first be mixed with cane sugar, from Java and Formosa. It is confidently expected that this device will have the desired result and that pure hect sugar will become gradually acceptable.

The Chinese in addition to items noted above, are mating albumen and yolk preserves, macaroni, vermicelli. biscuits, canned goods, and sugar; motor engines, printing pressce, needica and nails, clocks, elates and slate pencils, lithographic stones, window glass, fire- bricks, tiles, carpets, canvas, woollen goods straw hats, antin ribbons, organ, and clarioneta, picture mouldings, asbes tos products, and leatherware. If the Government would encourago these in dustries, instead of taxing them and making it diffult for their goods to compete with imports of the same nature, their development would be greatly ac- celerated

The reports received from the North show that trade was fairly well main tained in spite of the difficulties already The chief factors affecting trade were mentioned. The floods in Chihli, cover just those mentioned last year shortnessing about 15,000 square miles at an of tonnage, high freights, rise in prices, average depth of four feet, which and belligerent restrictions To these followed excessive rains in August and must, unfortunately, be added internal September, oro said to have caused dissensions in China and disastrous damage amounting to $100,000,000. To floods. It is true that in some directions this must be added the loss, resulting it is said that the high exchange alone from the impossibility of sowing seeds made importations possible, but in others for the spring crops, the extreme dearness of foreign articles led the Chinese to revert to their own resources, such as using vegetable oils in this place of kerosene and purchasing very rrerly cotton piece goods, towels, and anderclothing manufactured in their own country,

more acientifically studied. The throat appears to have had the wholesome effect of improving the quality in Chefo, and the total export was very little short of previous years. It is to be regretted that the pernicious practice of artificially weighting the thread for weaving pongees is said to be on the increase.

1918.

affected by violent Auctuations in ex change and gives some idea of the dif

culties encountered by merchants in a silverwing country. Under every head. ing there was a decrease except in im. port duties, which were better by Hk. Tls, fos,017. The high exchange favoured imports and was against exports, which were also affected by belligerent prohibi- tions, and the scarcity of shipping was naturally followed by snaßer tonnage dues, Canlon, Kowloon, and Lappa improved, as did Mengtsz, Szemao, and Tengyuch, but the rovenues of nearly all other parts declined.

FOREIGN TRADE,

The value of the direct foreign trade was Hk. The 1,012,450,010 the highest on record and Ak Tls. 14,246,043 above

the figure for tv. Reduced to sterling at the average rates of exchange for the two years, the figures work out to £105,587,510 for 1916 and £218,573,27 for 1917, an increase in sterling of £59,980,7. Judging the trade from the tael values, the point of view from which the Chinese merchants regard their transactions, imports were higher than in 1915 and 1916, while exports were lower than in 1910. An examination of the list of imports shows that not only values but quantities were higher, while in the case of exports it will be found that the smaller values of only two articles, tea and sesantum sced, mor than cover the deficiency As special and temporary causes were responsible for the reduced export of there twe articles, the statement is justified that the foreign trade of China showed astonishing vitality under most unfavour able conditions

HONGKONG POLICE RESERVE.

ORDERS ISSUED, BY MAY, U. JENKIN, OBL

BOOTS.

All ranks whose names have been sub

nitted through Equipment Officers an requiring boots for police duty may obtain same by applying in person to the Contractor, Book Sing, 7, Queen's

EQUIPMENT PARADES. - All ranks will attend at Headquarters Ouice as detailed below. Men on duty on the dates allocated to their Siet ons will attend at such subse- quent datea ns are specified in these Orders.

Uniform, caps with covers to be worn.

Rifles, ammunition, truncheons, whistles, chains, armlets and belts to he produced for inspection by those The first-named Section will attend at

in possession of sane..

5.15 p.m. And sucund-nanied Section at 5.16 p.m. Friday, 18th inst

Nos. and 8 Sections. Monday, and inst

Tuesday, 3rd inst

Nos. 8 and 10 Bections:

Nos, 11 and 1a Sections. Wednesday, 24th just,

Nos. 13 and 14 Sections: Thursday, 20th inst. —

Nos. 15 and 10 Sectious, Friday, 26th inst

0.15 pm all members of No. 1,

and Companies who have been unable, by reason of duty, to attend on previous dates. Men will be requited to state the nature of all equipment in their possession which was issued before 1918 and is still serviceable, and all issued since. January 1st, 1918.

TRAFFIC DUTY,

Twenty men of No. 1 Platoon are re- quired for traffe duty on Saturday, April 20th, from 2:30 p.m. to about 4.15 p.m. Names will be obtained by Inspector Eustace. Report at Heed. quarters Office at 2:30 p.m. sharp and draw belts White uniform, helmets and spikes, 2

SUMMER UNIFORM.

JOINED,

Import Cotton Goods The silver value of the cotton goods imported rose from Hk. Ta 130,670,380 in 1910 to fik, The. 158,030,207, an increase in sterling of over £11,800,000. In shirtinge sheetings, drills, and jeans the progress made by Japan was very marked, and there was a distinct improvement in quality. Japan. Will now be worn on all day duties.

se grey shirtings rose from 688,742 to 1,621,020 pieces; grey sheetings, from No 1 Platoon No. 2 Section P

H. Maxwell 1,921,687 to 2,616,284 pieces; drills, from 970,502 to 1,41,451 pieces; and jeans,

By Order, from - 1,261,706 to 1,459,100 piccas

T. E. HOUGH, Japanese T-cloths rose from 743,501

18.F. (R) and Adjutant. t 915,501 pieces and Japanese Hongkong, April 18th, 1918, cotton cloth, from 86,148,582 to 106,647,420 yards; cotton blankets, from 330,942 to 653,268 pieces and towels, from 1,400, 100 to 1,012,359 dozens, American alrectings fell from 353,735 to

A new import from Japan which has been favourably received is a sille and wood mixture the warp of silk and the weft of mercerised wood fibre, It is of very attractive appearance, but its durability is doubtful. Ramie fibre is also being mercerised in Japan and is Nevertheless, the war has shown very made into artificial silk yarn, to be plainly that the foreign trade of China manufactured into artificial silk picco 18 no delicate exotic prone to shrink and goods in China. The pongee trade of wither unicas onstantly warmed by the Checfoo appears to be seriously threaten rays of prosperity, but a hardy and ed by competition from Manchuria, Japidly growing plant that needs but where cocoons can be bought more cheap, little encouragement to expand and isly and where reeling processes are being ready to adapt itself to the most un promising circumstances. Take, for in stance, the trade in setton goods, which is the most important action among imports. Everything seemed against the trade: labour shortage and strikes, in creased cost of all articles, necessary to the trade, and short supply of woud, paper, tɔn lining, chemicals for blouching The British American Tobacco Como

and merchants who have hitherto been and dyeing, and unheard of prices for pany have made a great success in plant

engaged in the business in Chefoo dre cotton following upon short crops, sending bohated in the Weihaien district and pieces, drille, from 48,702 to 2,925, acquiring sites for flatures at Antang, ing up the price of piece goods to some in assisting the Chinese farmers to culpes white jeans rose from 765 to 3,5 where no quotations for the best quality times treble their normal values. Added tivate it in various places. Their chief pieces. The falling off in English goods wild silk reached the highest point re- to these difficulties were high freights and rivals, the Nanyang Brothers Tabacco

was not quite so noticeable, the most cordedeleted rates of insurance, and the Army Coun- Company, have taken a Japanese com-

serious decline being white shirtings, The prices paid by exporters for the cil Order that no piece goods or yarn, pany into partnership and are attempt Indian and Japanese cotton yarn fell off, chows, were in silver about 10 to 15 per

from 3,159,634 to 227,0ld pieces. Both finer teas, such as Keemuns and Ning with certain necessary exceptions, may ing to compete on the same lines. be packet in cases an innovation to The Canton-Hankow Railway was ex-

the latter probably caused by the strong cent, lower than in 1016, while what are which it was naturally difficult to recon pocted to reach Changsha before the end prints were in favour and rose from ed at prices from 15 to 20 per cent, lower, demand from Russia, Plain cotton known as Hankow" tins wore purchas- cilo so conservative a people as the of the year, but the political disturbances 395,040 to 1,487,174 pieces, partly to fill the total of all kinds of tea exported Chinese. These conditions have been prevented this, and passenger traffic was the gap caused by the almost complete dis was only 1,115,535 picals, the lowest re very favourabla to Japanese weavers, and opened between Wuchang and Yochow. they have taken full advantage of the on the let September, with, unfortunate had been doing so well of late years. particularly disappointing for a year of appearance of prints from Russia that corded since the trade was developed and opportunity, and a prominent feature ofly, a very inadequate rolling-stock All coloured goods seem to have been in the equality. It is interesting to hear the year's trade was their exploitation The crops in the Yangtazo Valley were greater demand, no doubt because of the that the old established Chinese firm, the of the Chinese markets and the improve generally good, and a large business was aithculty in obtaining dyes. Woollen im Shun On Company, has floated the ment in the quality of their goods There done in indige, which has to a great and cotton mixtures show an increase China Tea Company for the purpose of fore, although British and American extent taken the place of the synthetic under every heading, and the trade in growing and manufacturing ten on goods may show a decrease, the deficiency product, although dyes of Japanere and woollen goods showed an advance that modern lines. The company is said to

British make have appeared on the market, the prices of which are lower was hurdly to be expected considering the have acquired large tracts of land in the than were formerly charged for German rise in pieces while miscellaneous piece Ningehow district in the Kiangsi. pro despanese goods of all kinds made con.

eng supplied by Japan, and the Chinese spent over 22 millions of tacts more on otton goods than they did in 1910 Metals alono showed i decline in the

in Hainan some 30 companies are said to have been started to grow rubber, having already planted one million trees betoon the 10th and 30th parallels of latitude. If the reports are correct, and

goods also did well,

cation.

SKIPPING.

な

vince and to have built a factory equip The use of motor-cars is increasing, ped with machinery that has been care value of the importations. It is quite plain that with the establishment of siderable headway, and Japanese white would realise that the provision of good experiments, to turn out ten that will and it is to be wished that the Chinese fully designed, through course of peace abrosal and tranquillity within a sugar was sold cheaper than the auga roads for the use of motor trafic would appen to foreign taste. The idea is to great advance in trade will be witnessed from Hongkong. Chinese cigarettes are do much to develop the trade now kept advertise this absolutely pure Chinese

The development of various industries everywhere competing with those import- in China must lead to an increasing, and it seems probable that all ciga back through want of means of communito, free from all adulteration with Indian or Ceylon lent and made under demand for machinery of many descrip- { rettes consumed in China, with the ex- tions, and inquiries have been made at ception of superior qualities imported local manufacture of cotton goods is it up in suitable packages. The times Puport & The advance made in the strictly sanitary conditions, by putting the ports for the purpose of ascertaining for the use of foreigners, will before very strikingly indicated by the following are not favourable for starting the enter the kinds most in use at present. For long be manufactured in this country. ngures, but it must be understood that prise, but it is to be hoped that the new Government requirements machinery is The Texas Petroleum Company has been the vast, bulk of these goods are used in Accessary for arsenals, mints, railways, pushing the sale of its kerosene with the country and that the export figures product that is less deleterious than its denarture may revive the demand for a dockyards, and leather factories. Electric Kreat vigour, as has also the Horden give no idea of the real volume of the much-advertised competitors, fights is rapidly spreading, and appa- Company of Yokoltania,

trade Grey shirtings have risen from ratus of all kinda for mining and smelt-

An interesting development due to the 200 pieces in 1915 to 21,504 pieces in ing will be wanted in great quantities war was the export of wolfram. The ore 101"; sheetings, from 2,494 to 38,800 W 50,907,049 tone, or 1,113,032 tons lean The total tonnage entered and cleared each year. There are in operation is produced in Swabue, on the const be pieces; drills, from 3,422 to 38,401 pieces than in 1915. This does not appear at numerous silk filatures, and factories for tween Swatow and Hongkong À quan producing cotton cloth, cotton hosiery tity was shipped to Hongkong, and there and native fancy cloth, from 208,148 to first sight a drop of much importance, and underclothing, and cotton thread. were also shipments to Shanghai for refrom the Government, there would ho amounted to 97,994,213 tons, great dif

499,553 pieces. With encouragement bus even in 1914, when the tonnage. Mills for epinning cotton yarn, mills for export to America. cleaning rice, four mille oil mills, saw

Nearly all metals were exported in modation for the cargo offering, and vust development of this industry culty was experienced in finding accom. mills, and paper mills are to be found in widely separated localities. Works turn

and crude, increased by 58 per cent, but Shipping table gives the total of the greater quantities. Antimony, regulas freights had risen in consequence. The ing out bricks and cement, factories for

the value had declined considerably in tonnage entered and cleared at the making candles and soap, glassware, and

consequence of the dificulty of procuring Custom Houses and includes the coast porcelain ano on the increase, while certain quantity of rubber certainly freight and because the European de and river traffic, and there were only locally made cigarettes are competing has been shipped to Singapore, the mand was being supplied from Bolivia 22,126,945 tons available for foreign. seriously with the imported article land of Hainan, mostly peopled by very and elsewhere, be greater part of the trade. From this must be deducted the Waterwords are being gradually intro- backward aborigines, will become of export took place carly in the year tonnage plying between Hongkong- duced into some of the larger towns, and much greater interest,, as it will develop Copper and all kinds of iron were want Kowloon and Macao-Lappa, viz., 2,374,761 the use of printing presses is spreading.

quite considerable compierce, The ex The example given by the Japanese in port of manganese from Pakhoi showed ed by Japan and were exported in tons, leaving only 18,751,184 tous for Kwantung Territory is sure to be development, in the quiet demand for the latter China and foreign countries, which is great quantities, as were lead ore and carrying imports and exports between followed by the Chinese and it may be coal led to an extended use of liquid fuel Raw silk showed some improvement. This amount of tonnage in quite adu

On the West River the dearness of coming from America

ahout 3 million of tons less than in 1916 useful to give a list of the articles being by the launches plying on the island in quantity over 1016, the figures being quate, and the scarcity, combined with manufactured there, omitting, those of which mention has already been made, waters, and a large number of boats are 199,243 piculs, valued at Hk Tha high freights and heavy war ricks, places Among ahemical products are clein, now fitted with engines to burn crude 78,269, 139, and 195,820 picuis, valued at trade under great restrictions. British glycering, sulphuric acid, lactic acid, tald oil. In Wuchow a new local industry Hk. Tls 79,149,003 In terms of gold tonnage showed a decrease of 9,2845 powder, starch, hardened oil, stearine, has arisen, and motor engines for burn this meant an increased valued of tons; French, of 11,240 tons; Norwegian, alcium carbide, sulphate of ammonia, from foreign models. A manganese mined with a moderate demand for Europe and Danish, of 64,496 tons. There was ing liquid fucl are being manufactured 4,104,470. In the South the year open of 161,868 tons; Kussian, of 115,885 Long caustic soda, soda ash, and barium with ore of fair quality was opened on ducts, to which may be added bone duet the Linchow River and promises well the stocks of old silk were exhausted. 325,242 tons; it Italian, of 13.913 tons; in manure. Surgical instruments, heating

and America, and by the end of April an increase in American tonnage of apparatus, electric-light bulbs, crucibles, Contracts for large quantities of the ore The new season commenced on the 1st Dutch, of 249,444 tons, in Japanese, of and bicycles are made, and there Nanning reports the shipment of wolfirst three crops were short, dealers were 08,960 tons. That conditions were pro- were made with firms in Hongkong May with a poor demand, but, as the 347,512 tons and in Portugurse. E av establishment for electric plating fram ore. Lead ore was exported for the able to maintain prices. In July and fitable to shipowners was shown by the Imitation Panama hats, made of paper first time from Lungchow, and a sustain August an active demand from America fabulous prices paid for the few vessels seem to find a ready market. A

One of the most interesting enterprises, d demand from America greatly in- which was alluded to in the report written creased the export of tin from Mengtaz. the same period there were steady in CURRENCY REFORM,

caused a rapid rise in prices, and during that were parted withE last year, is the South Manchurias The prohibition of the export of silver quiries frat Europe The American re Bugar Reading Company, established at from Hongkong interfered seriously with quirements led to great speculation in Moukden in 1916, The South Manchuria the trade of the frontier ports. Railway Company is largely interested

REVENUE,

Japan, which reacted on the Chinese in this concern, which has a capital Yen

markets and forced prices to a level The total collection during 1917 was where business became impossible To 10,000,000 and manufactures beet sugar

Hk Tls. 38,189,429, as against Hk. The wards the end of the year the American se well as resting sugar from Java 37,764,311 in 1916. As the average value market uppeared satisfed, and the mode Seeds were distributed among the farm of the tael in 1916 wse, as mentioned rals demand from Europe alone kept ora, and, in spite of unfavourable spring above, 35, 313-16d. and in 1917 48. prices from collapse. The Japanese de weather, a erop estimated at 400,000 3,13-16d, this represents an increase in mand for silk to be manufactured into piculs was harvested. As the factory can gold of £1,970.995, although the silver dispose of 500 tons & day, this was a surplus was only Bk. Thu 425,118. This page for America is growing rapidly, apply for barely a month and a half, is a striking example of how values are

(Continued at foot of neat Column.)

urgently necessary, has been receiving the serions condition of the Ministry of Finance, and the fact that reforms formerly disregarded as of no import- ance are now intelligently discussed and that, so soon as a stable Government is appreciated warrants the expectation established and order and tranquillity prevail, China will make more rapid advance along the path of progress and her commerce become of far greater importance in the markets of the world.

Tha untication of the currency, so