HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TRADE REVIEW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1931.
IMPROVEMENT IN OIL FUEL
FUEL OIL.
TRADE MUCH BETTER IN 1931.
Fuel oil, business increased cou siderably in 1981, mainly because in Fakion the political conditions had improved. In Fuochow the trade was almost doubled, as com pared with that of the previous year, while in Amoy the turn-1 over increased by some 50 per cent. This is exploited by the fact that the river was navigable higher than it had been for a fairly long time, while in the West River districts this particular line showed a dia. tinet improvement. With Kwangs tang and Kwangsi now on friendly terms; there has been a big ingrense in the turnover in the trade these provinces and much has been "done to develop that arch. Busi ness in Canton forged ahead, and the same can be said of Wachow
The surprising thing is that the fluctuation in the exchange did not have any effect an the trade although prices advanced by about
GASOLINE.
MORE MOTORS AND GOOD
TRADE.
LUBRICATING OIL.
SHARES IMPROVEMENT WITH FUEL OILS.
Despite fonds und political diatur. As is generally known, sale of this hasees in China, romal development commodity very largely depends on is making very favourable progress, the foul oil and motor spirit trade, especially in South Chinn, and this and since the last two showed an has a very good effect on the gas improvement over 1930, trade in this line trade. With better road con-particular line has also been good, ditions, more vehicles are put on though the jumps in the exchange the road and antomatically there is habe rendered business more diff n good demand for gasoline, cult than usual. It was only natural
Ia
"PARAFFIN WAX.
FAIRLY GOOD YEAR.
Prices in this commodity have Hunted violently throughout the
yon na account of the unsettleri
FAR EASTERN TRADE POSITION.
A BRITISH VIEW,
.of
MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE COLONY
DETAILS OF CARS, CYCLES AND LORRIES.
५:
The story of the Far Eastern economie situation as gathered from various cfficial and unofficial: statements that have ronched: us The following tables show the during the past month is on the number of motor vehicles licensed. whole
somewhat doleful for use in "Hong Kong and Kow- character. Ariefly, it is this: Lowoon on October 51; 1931, exchange (now happily vastly im Private Care
1.542 proved and showing indications of Taxis and Public Cars 201 in early return.
to normal) "had; Commercial Vehicle played the very douce with China Motor Cycles'. business; general trade in Japan had been-detrimentally affected by
In Hong Kong there has been, athas the prices rose in sympathy the Manchurian disturbance and big increase in the number of motor with those of the other two comme the Chinese boycott of Japanese vehicles and the trade during the dities mentioned above and unless goods; in the Dutch East Indies past twelve months bas, therefore, the exchange featuates more than producers were, ug longer working shown an improvement over, the ever in the New Year, trade ought on a profit-earning basis, and the general situation of commerce was period from January-December, to be quite good. 1930. In the opinion of an official
extremely bad; in British Malaya of the Colony's leading suppliers,
the situation was much the same; the gasoline trade has more or less
dwindling export values bad reached saturation point."
anriously reduced purchasing other words, there are now so many
power, and necessarily resulted in a drastic curtailment of imports. cars on the rond that it wonid be hopeless to expect more vehicles to
Beth. Hong Kong (where business, be put on the run until business in
except in shipping, had not been altogether unprosperous) and proves. At present the public is more concerned with cutting down condition of the 'exchange. The budget-balancing anxieties, and in- Dutch East Indies have had 30 per cent. This can be easily ex-expenses than going in for pleasure tendemey, however, has been upcreased taxation, and etruschincid plained, as with peace and order being gradually restored in Canton jaunts, which, of course,
means wards and possibly on arcount of of staffs were being resorted to and the South generally, there has more money spent on gasoline.,
this, trade has been quite good. The best report of all comes from been a bigger consumption.
Shanghai. The British Commercial Let it be explained that the "middle Counsellor there, after a reference party or the man who buys in the to the disorganisation of trade in hope that prises will soar and then disastrous floods and to the slow the Yangtezo Valley caused by the adi, definitely favours & rising mar progress in the development of ket. For this reason chiefly, the industries outside the Shanghai business showed a considerable in
arca, eansed by, the uncertain political situation, the absence o crease over that of the previous security, and the hardes of tax- tion, states: In Shanghai, on the
numbes ci other hand, the dustrial establishments is constans. ly growing, and in almost every branch of trade the competition of these local factories, assisted s they are by the high cost of im ported goods in silver currency, is being ineasingly felt. The growth of Shanghai's industrigs and the continued activity in the building trade, resulting from the concentration, at this contre of so inage a-proportion of the realisnú,e wealth of the coputry cause
mund for machinery, engineering |
No Fear of Russia,
When asked his opinion abent the Soviet oil business, our inform aut, who holds a responsible past. tion in one of the leading off com- pantes here, said that he did not see how it was going to affect trade generally. The production of off Russia was not sufficient for them
Brisk Up-Country Trade. During the period under review, the gasoline business ap-county has shown. decided improvement although the price për gallon now is $1.35 including the tax of 25 cents
which is levied on every gallon sold.
Twelve months,
The chief use for this commodity
to carry out half of what they sayOne big cause of the brisk business they are going to do, and, if they are going to complete their Five p-country is that Kwangtung and is for the manufacture of ipas can- Year Plan, they will need all the oil Kwangsi are now on friendly terms, dies in Hong Kong and South they can get for internal consump-and, that being the case, the autho-China, but our informant tells us
Prospects for the New Year dorities are giving more of their time not appear to be very bright ni-
to read development, etc., and all though there should be no reason
this means more transportation why trade should not go on agit had done during the year under which finally spells better gasoline
tion,
review.
business.
FARADAY, EFFICIENCY AND CHINA.
MECHANIZATION AND THE STANDARD OF LIFE,
that, owing to the fact that dealers up-cuntry have at present fairly large stocks, business in this part gulir line might not be so good for the Arst few months in the New
Year.
In-
#
supplies, and equipment of vario 15 kinds, and so far as this purely local trade is concerned, conditions. have been fairly satisfactory.- Eastern Engineering and Com- meres.
A few hours previously the dele-steady, if not very extensive, de-y gates from all over the world had been presented to the President of the Royal Institution, the guardian of Furnday's apparatus. It was a delight to hear the applauso' that greeted the Chinese representativ from Peking.
gineering" training. They dislive waate in any form-whether mechanical or human enery. They have applied engineering methods. not only by using machinery, but in 82rking efficiency in every phase of their work. And they have made farming pay in English while lest
fcient workers have failed.
In the days when there were no As we celebrated, for some ten days, the centenary of this une relied on horses for much of his
farmer in England, engines, the mirabilis 1031, we made visita to
tractive effort. In those days h many places of interest. As soon
Buccessful farmer was one who An the writer mentioned that understood horses. The two piou- was from Hong Kong, everyone asked all sorts of questions about have shown that, in the new civilization, engineering buwledga China.
is essential for efficiency on the
By Professor C. A. Middleton storica fascipating but too lengthy Smith, M.Sc., M.I.M.E., A.M.I.. to detail just now. E of the University of Hongks. We know that o-day radio tele The delegate from Japan made a Three contenaries have be phony, has provided close, interna-test excellent speech in Englise. recently celebrated in London. tional comertions. We have read was one of the half-dozen or so They remind me very farmably of that in Shanghai they have danced foreign delegates who were, as dis music that was, as they tinguished scientists, made hon events which have entirely changed to the Europe and Amerien. In far less danced, being played by an or orary members of the Royal
Dr. Elihu Thompson, than one hundred years from to chestra in the Savoy Hotel, Lonstitution
United States wai an day they will have effected an oven den. We find it hard to believe, from the
lmost impossible to understand, other. greater change in China.
The first centenary commemorated that a human voice was transmitted the discovery of the induction of round the world from Schenectady the Royal and then broadcast. But we know electric currents. In Institution, Londen,
Michael that it happened. Faraday, the one-time newsboy and book-binder's assistant, who made many valuable résearches whone became a Professor,Michael Fare dy-demonstrated induct.., August 1891.
· PRIVATE VEHICLES.
Alvas
+
British.
A. C. (Acedes).... Arrol Johnsu... Armstrong Siddeley Austin
Austin 7" Baylis Thomas Bean Calthorpe Clyno
194
120
#
Merryweather (Arsen
gine)... Morris
Standard Vulcha
Rolls Royce (fra)
gine).
Tilling Stevens fro
engine) Leyland Thornycraft Trojan
American
America la France
Ford
Graham Bros.' Menaminee
...
22
3
145
Buthelem
Brockway
Cadillac
Chevrolet
00
до
Dodge
2220
Federal
1
G. M. C...
3
с
11
3
Crossley Cubitt
United
3
5
White
Calloway Daimler
3
Fargo (1 ambulance)...
Studebaker
3
G. W K.
Republic (private bus
Hillman
3
St. Stephen's Cal-
Hamber
lege)
Overlund
1
I
394
70
Germ
40
Opel Stutz
Jowett Lagenda
Morris Cowley
Morris Oxford ..... Morris Miner Rea Rohmer Rolls Royce Singer.
Standard Straker Squire Suhbeam Talbot
Auburn
Buick Caddillac Chandler Chevrolet Chrysler Cleveland De Soto, Dodgo Erskine Essex
Falcon Knight Fargo Ford
10
8
Italian.
17
Fist
MOTOR CYCLES.
British.
རྦྦ དྷ ུཤྲྰི ཿ88⌘gམྦྷག
James
THE MOTOR TRADE.
POPULARITY OF BABY"
CARS.
Our representative interviewed the manager of a local firm who are the representatives of several lines. of American purs: and he was told that, in spite of the many handicaps: occasioned by the exchange fuotu- ating so violently during the past twelve months, trada has been quite up to the @gures of the previous year" and probably ratagr hættior. For one thing, although the market; has not been so steady as in preż vious pudrą, buyers gave their orders in spasms, so to speak. For instance thora were times when al month or even two passed withowb- a sale being made but then the fol-· lowing month would see orders coming in in sufficient numbers to make up for the slack months. This applied to all makes of 'cus aud commercial vehicles generally, both for load and up-ennatry uso. - In.. Canton, however, business has been quite steady and while our repre imentative was speaking with this Löfficial, an ordeś was received from. Macao for two of the latest models of a very popular make, delivery to- be made within a week.
One particular feature in con nection with the motor trade is the Arm hold Ford cars are gaining on the market These are getting to be very popular because of economy i running, and already some Ford taxis have been put on the" ronds, · Another thing worth mentioning is that ownerdrivers go in mora now for saloon cars. One only has to Eleck the doors and one can feel safe-
about parcels or anything left in
The "Babies,”
I
Triumph. Trojan Vauxhall Waverley Wolseley
A
NO
13
Ariel
C
2
Ascot Pullin
?
side while the owner is away at the
3
Borrigh Superior.
2
office in the theatre or on d’shop-
10
BS.A.
TO
įping tour. Ladies in partieslar
352
Cotton
2
find them very much more useful
Douglas ..
•
$
than the open tourers which, how-
· American.
Excelsior
3
Francis Barnett
10
ever, have their advantage during the summer months.
Humber
G
f
Matchless
New Hudson
3
Norton
The "baby" cars, as in former years, are still the great favourites. and the most notable thing in con-
P. & M....
1
nection with them is the introduc
Raleigh
ด
Royal Enfield Rudge
f)
18
160
Sunbeant
10
Grahum Paige Hudson
Triumph"
13
Hupmobile
10
Morgan (3 wheeler)
Jewett
4
Jordan
303
La Selle
2
Lincoln Locomobile Marmon
3
American.
TO
Ace
20
Marguette
8
Nash
13
"Oakland
Oldsmobile Overland
10
10
Henderson Harley Davidsna Indian
.80
40.
Packard
Je
Paige
Pierce Artow Plymouth Pontiac Republic Roosevelt
German.
20
DWK. Puch B.M.V.
Rugby
Star
nnt
Steven Knight Studebaker
140
Stutz Templar Willys Knight
60
French. Monet Goyen FAVORY
1.007
Italian
Fiat
130
Franch
TAZIS.
Amil Car Citroen
British.
Clyno
De Dion
race must play a leading part.
ic slectromagnetic field accord
What About China 7
now to form it?
Constant association with Chin-cuntless thousands relieved t ace students during nearly twenty monotonous manual labour
Peuget
Hillmen
Renault
Morris
Salmson
and
Rugby
Mathis
ing to electromagnetic lawa.
Sezaire Borwick
Singer
2015
German.
Clerk Maxwell and Wireless.
1
4:
Chinese Engineers Wanted. That leads me to my last suggeo-
enrage a
To Advance Science. The third centenary which has recently been celebrated in London is that of the foundation of the It came as a shock to finduthat | farm, British Association for the Ad-so little is known of the Far East "Faraday'a experimenta led direct-vancent of Science. Its object has in London. The remark of Sir ly to the dyname and electrie been, for a hundred years, to give Oliver Lodge was typical "Oh yetien, It is that, if China is to take moter. Those machines today are stronger impulse and amore I remember, you went out to Hong doing an enormous at of the systematic direction to seinntine Keng-you've been having some bad her rightful part in the new world minotcuons labour and drudgery work. It has breught together floods cut there lately. Or, again for greater proportion of her
civilization, she must of the world they are destined scientists, not only of the Britisa ja seienting of world-fame said "We to bring a higher standard 9 Empire, out of foreign countries, never haar of China unless it is young men to have an engineering
training. living the millions of China.
most remarkabir civil war-they are always fightin erase of China's agony Perhaps the event connected with this contenery out there-or flood or famine." was the unanimous election of it They find it hard to believe that to-day is the low standard of livi
of the poor. It is a menace, For General Smuls, the new civilization has begun only to peace in China, but to the It was in 1831 that James Clerk President. Maxwell was born in Edinburgh: from Scuth Africa, stands second China.
When I suggested that there are maintenance of a decent standard Associated closely with the L. to no other man in the esteem of versity of Cambridge this brilliant the people of Britain. Yet, some of thousands of Chinese graduates of living in other countries. Before scientist. produced important my schocl friends were killed fight science, returned from Universities world civilization can become real, papers dealing with the dynamissing against Smuts in South Africa of Europe and America, the retart the human rights of the individual be respected and his im- of the electromagnetic field,
in these black days of the South usually was. Why don't they do and Africa War. His book on "Electricity
It anys much for the something to set things straight.mediate necessities satisfied.
How
moral and mentul of Smuts and This leads me at once to suggest faculties grow when men, women. Magnetism" is one of the most splendid character remarkable volumes that has over the practical common-sense of tho the formation of a Chinese AssocİR
and children toil unceasingly wito- for "the Advancement A been published. Ratio Enghicers British people, that the one time tion rightly consider Clerk Maxwell` as
to-day. Science. It would prove of in- out relaxation How can this bu one of the great pioneers--the first vigorously preaching the gospel of calculable value to the country if man tragedy of China cease with pioneer of, their work. He wrote the Now World Civilization lo run on the linen of the British. As out the help of science.applied by
the Chinese?
onemy
in London
must
we have ntrong reason to conclude which, he believes, the Anglo-Saxonsociation What better time than In Europe and America we find)
that light itself including radiant heat and other radiations, if any
Turn on a switch and there is
OUT
115
We have faished these centenary years in Hong Kong, and for eight dynamic electricity, the great dis It was ten years later that celebrations in London. They were, years previously in the University covery made by Faraday one hun- Germaa, Heinrich Hertz, proved indeed, memorable... The Prime of London, has made me convinced dred years ago. experimentally that the other cou Minister, Ramany MacDonald, that they are capable of brilliant light, or heat. Turn it off and the tain the electromagnetic waves presidur at the Faraday commemo scientific research. which Clark Maxwell said must barative meeting. His fine tribute to All new scientife development fire is extinguished. No dirt, there. Hertz proved experimentalme who, he confessed. had im-cf international value. The new carrying of fuci, nc ashes, no clear ly that they travel with the mensely influenced his own outlet world civilization is sweeping away ing up. Vacuum cleaners, fans and refrigerators are implements of the velocity of light. It was Maxwell's on life, was heard by a huge as the old divisions and boundaries.
new civilization. Motor-cars, broug words that inspired Herts to sparchi aninhly and countless ⚫isteners
The Engineer in China,
casting, even talkies enlarge. for. then waves." They are known in."
mental ontlook and educntë. to-day," all over the world, os In the midst of a grave politica. Agriculture is, and must ever The two latter bring to the peel Hortaian waves.
and financial crisis in London, this remain, the mont important in the blessings of good music an How Brachy, in Paris, firat ceindomitable Scot left his seadustry in the world. We must have sometimes instruction. them in motion with his colorer, the House of Commons, forgot the food-fuel för the human engine. Thero grant gifts are here. Ther how Lodge, in London, with Eis city bankers and the dolcuates to A most important scientific de-have made realize our debts to de-coborer acut the first wireless the Indig Round Table conferenc,velopment is mechanical farming, Faraday and those countless other signal; how Marconi, attracted to and reminded his huge audience New countries have developed and workers who have given them to u London by the newa, interested that Faraday had risen to im adopted it more rapidly, than those Surely the least them to u Preece, the chicl engineer of the mortal fame by the simple, yet whose farming had long traditions help, with all our might to usher British Font office and certain city always difficult" method of giving I has, however, made itself felb in the 'how civilization through the financiers in the commercial primaelf to the pursuit of truth and both if these pioneers hed an en- longth and breadth of China.-Fur Bibilities of wizolean-those are the duty of the day.
¿Continued on next Column.) Easteen Review,
Hanomag Horch Opel
བོ:
6.
J.
tion of the American" "Austins” to
the Colony during the period under review. These are more spacións than their "English siatara," and
there is more leg-room in them. They are, however, left-hand drive: (and although this may seem rather.. strange to people used to right- hand drives, it should not ruske a.
lot of difference after one has been in them a couple of times.
Fint cars are, also getting very much attention, and their "baby**, should prove just as popular as the small cars, The Morris Minor is as popular as ever,”and large num bers of these are, seen on the roads, both on the Island, and on the
Mainland.
While the British light ears are getting every attention from the motoring community, the heavier PUBLIC VEHICLES: CARS AND type are not so popular but this
can be explained when it is statedī
that most buyers are not prepared.· to lay out 9 heavy initial sum for then. It is a well-known fact that British cars are more durable than the other makes but it has to be admitted that the American Oneя. usually catch the eye1 more easily
[ and when a person goes into a ubon to get a car, he generally has these things in mind:(a) a fairly low
price, (b) a car with a nice streAM- line and consumption of about 19-20 miles per gallon. On the other hand the fall in sterling has given the British cars a distinct advantage over the American varie ties for which gold dollars,
Hod in local currency, have to, be paid.
American,
Buick Chevrolet
20
15.
Chrysler
Dodge
20
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, LORRIES AND TRUCKS. British,
Erskine Essex Ford Hudson
Overland
Oldsmobile
"Albion
30
Plymouth
Gu
Austin (2 ambulances) 3 Beng Cubitt Dennis
Hallford
"Pontine:
6
Studebaker
Willy Knight
40
230
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