1941-05-13 — Page 5

Page

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

GENERAL

FURTHER SHRINKAGE IN THE VOLUME OF COLONY TRADE INEVITABLE THIS YEAR: ALMOST COMPLETE CESSATION OF EXPORT OF HONGKONG-MANUFACTURED GOODS TO

GREAT BRITAIN

Annual Meeting Of General Chamber Of Commerce

A VERY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TRADE OF 1940 WAS GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR. J. K.

OF BOUSFIELD,

THE ANNUAL MEETING

THE AT HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD YESTERDAY AFTERNOON,

After reviewing the difficulties encountered by expor- ters, importers and manufacturers during the year "such as shortage of ships, limitation of imports into the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire, and the introduc- tion of import licences-the Chairman next referred to the affect the shipping shortage hád on Hongkong's wholesale prices which showed an average increase of un- der 35 per cent. The decrease in tonnage was less than 9.27 per cent,

"Unfortunately," continued the Chairman, "I fear that 1941 must inevitably see a further shrinkage in the volume of our trade and, indeed, since this address was prepared news of further shipping restrictions has come to hand which will result at least for the time being in the almost complete cessation of the export of Hong- kong manufactured goods to Great Britain.".

Supporting the Chairman

WELFARE OFFICER

NAMED

AIRPLANE FUND CAMPAIGN

Hongkong Songsters To Do Their Bit

Ia

The Hongkong Dally Press has been officially informed that His Excellency the Governor has re

response to the "Airfiane ceived telegraphic advice from the Secretary of State of the appoint-Fund Campaign" started by Chi- ment of MR. J. L. KEITH, late of nese Artists recently, Chinese the Northern Rhodesian Adminis-songsters in Hongkong are plan. trative Service, as Welfare Officerning a similar drive. in the Colonial Office.

At a meeting of a number 01 "Mr. Keith's duty will be to make local choral societies, including the arrangements for the welfare of Hung Hung, Chau Fung, Ling Sing, residents of the Colonies who are New China and Chung Waḥ, yes- lving In or visiting the United terday. measures for the campaign Kingdom. He will be especially were discussed. It was decided concerned with the well-being of that the rund will be raised by students. seamet and those who.80 contributions and singing recitals. to the United Kingdom to join His Those who donatè R.K.$10 will be Majesty's forces or to undertake given a gold-gilded plane badge, war work, and will work in co-those who donate HK.$100, a pur- operation with existing Govern- sült plane model, we those who ment and other agencies.

donate H.K3500, a large bomber moder

Mr. Keith will be assisted in that part of his work which re-

A group oI prominent Chinese lates to Africa and the West Tudies have been invited to serve as gd- by Mr. I. G. Cummings, an African visers Including Madame Sun Yat- from Sierra Leone, who is at pre-sen, Madame Llac Chung-kal, Mr. sent Secretary to Aggrey House.

Chang I-lin, People's Politica: Council member, Mr. M. K. LO, SIX Robert Rotewall, · Mr. Aw Boon-

were the Hon. Mr. S., H. Dod- NEW CHAIRMAN From this it would appear that haw, Mr. Tu Yueh-aon, Mr. Wang

At a meeting of the General Committee, heid after the an- nual meeting, HON, MR, STAN- LEY H. DODWELL was elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr. G. Miskin, Vice- Chairman,

1940 suffered a tonnage loss of Hsiao-lat, Mr. Lin Wel-chin, Fro- 9.275 per cent as compared with the previous year.

":

fessor Hsu T1-shan, Madame Bun Fo and Mr. Wang Yun-wD.

A telegram has been sent to Chinese songsters in the interior and abroad asking them to support the campaign

well, Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson, Hon. Mr. A. L. Shields, Hon. Mr. T. E. Pearce, Sir Van- deleur Grayburn, Mr. L. J.

LITTLE AFFECTED Davies, Mr. R. D. Gillespie,

However, as foodstuffs formed Mr. W. H. Lock, Mr. G. Mis-

the largest individual item of in- kin, Mr. K. S. Morrison, Mr.

Port during 1940, and as this group underwent the smallest increase in M. F. Key, O.B.E. (Secretary), and Mr. E. R. Price (Asst. Can to smooth out these dim- price, it is probable that the culties In the rubber foot-wear weighted general average for all Secretary).

industry the Chamber has organ- groups would show a smaller per- CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH ised a distribution of the limited centage increase than the figure" of Gentlemen, the Report & Ac-freight space avaliable, based on 35.39 per cent on which I have count of its entrepot trade is pro- counts of the Chamber have been the quantity which each firm is worked, and this in turn would bably not more than two or three in your hands for some time and licensed to import in proportion to mean that the decrease in tonnage per cent. I rise to move their adoption. the total quantity covered by alls. even less than 9.27 per cent.

The plane to be donated to the

Music " Government will be named "New

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1941.-PAGE_5

ALARM CLOCKS

LARGE AND BEAUTIFUL SELECTION ON HAND

10

afo

7

TIDE

12

2

10

A

ALARM

$1050

BABY BEN ALARM

$16.50

LUMINOUS $21.50

WESTELI

1 SEN

BIG BEN ALARM

LOUD ALARM

$16.00

· CHIME ALARM

$19.00

• LUMINOUS

$24.50

LANE CRAWFORD • LTD.

All less 10% cash discount

The House of Quality & Service

Chinese Australasian Association

The Delhi Conférence has open-

You will not expect me on this the licences.

But even on the basis of this lattered the eyes of a good many in the occasion to review the course of In so far as revocation of impor; figure it is surprising that the Co-Middle and Far East to the poten the War. We in Hongkong are far licences affects China produce, the lony was so little affected during tialities of Hongkong, and, we all from the centre of events, though General Produce Brokers Associa. 1940 by the world shortage of ship hope that one result of that Con- the defence preparations going on tion of London recently issued a ping. The position reflects great ference will be to accelerate the all around us, and the strong re-revised contract which provides credit on the more economic use to growth of our productivity. It is inforcement of Singapore are a re-that Government cancellation of a which available bottoms must have possible that in retrospect the minder that we may at any me- licence is to be followed automa- been put, and those concerned are period covered by the present war ment become involved. If we are,tically by cancellation of the con- to be congratulated. Unfortunate will be looked on as having done

Arrangements are being made I hope we shall bear ourselves un-tract between buyer and seller. Ly I fear that 1941 must in-more to put the industry of this der fire as manfully as our friends It has been necessary to point out evitably see a further shrinkage m Colony on its feet than any other by the Chinese Australasian Asso- that as far as Far Eastern mer- the volume of our trade and, in-like period of time. However, if ciation to hold its Second Anniver Meanwhile, we can only struggle chants are concerned-this is no deed, since this address was pre- We are to achieve this enviable sary Supper Dance at the Hong-

goal the local manufacturers will kong Hotel Roof Garden

at Home.

CHIEF PROBLEM

next

on, under anditions of everincreas- solution because exporters have to paced news of further shipping re-have to show their usual resource Saturday, May 17, at 9 pm ing difficulty, to keep the trade of meet contractual obligations to strictions has come to hard which in directing the labour of this Tickets at $5 each may be pur- the Colony going and so fulfil our suppliers. At the suggestion responsibilities towards the main this Chamber, the British Chan- being in the almost complete ees- make up for what we hope will be at. Francis Hotel, The Sun Com- will resultat least for the time Colony-into-new channels and so chased from the Hongkong Hotel, tenance of this important outpost bers of Commerce in China have sation of the export of Hongkong the temporary loss of the UK. pany, Sincere Company, Wing On of the British Empire.

made telegraphic representations manufactured goods to Great Bri- market.

Company, China Emporium, and to London Exporters have been advised not to do business on the

HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS from the members of the Indies Nevertheless, I am not one of Produce Brokers' revised contract.

Sir David Owen's report on the Committee, Table reservations are those pessimists who, whilst ad-Harbour stresses the desirability now open at the Hongkong Hotel mitting that conditions have kept of going ahead with certain re- Reception Office. Proceeds will be up surprisingly well in the past,

If this can be done, and legista-Relief.

The chief problem with which we are faced is, of course, the shortage of ships resulting from a ruthless campaign against the mercantil:

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE

In spite of all these difficulties,

tain.

marine by which the enemy seeks the commerce of the Colony kepjgorecast that evil times are just clamations as soon as practicable in aid of Chinese' and British War

and. Lease Plan.

and Licensing Departments are subject to one over-mastering

manufacturers

And

that when

Recom-

some shrinkage in

LOCAL INDUSTRY

The Ladies Committce in charge

to offset Britain's naval power and, up remarkably well during 1940, a around the corner. It would be tion is avoided which might make if possible, to starve the people of will be seen from the figures which foolish to indulge in, wishful think- us unable to compete with manu- preparations for

A Ladles Committee is making ал interestirig the British Isles. We have heard, are given on page 69 of the Cham- with immense relief, the news that ber's Report. These show quite ale current year, but the adapta- Colony can confidently look for--ing made to outshine the success- ng concerning our prospects for facturers in China, I think the programme and every effort is be- the President of the United States substantial increase in the cobility which the Colony has shownward to greatly increased pros-ill Arai, anniversary dinner held a has instituted a patrol of the bined value of the Colony's importa Atlantic, 2,000 miles from east to and exports. However, n must not in meeting changed conditions will, perity when the political horizons Jear ago. west, and from the Arctic to the be forgotten that, owing to higher trust, help us to make up on the have cleared.

Sir David Owen's report to of arrangements consist of Mrs. Antarctic regions, in order to en- prices for all communities in 1940, wings at least some of what we sure that Britain "gets the tools to this increase in the value of our are likely to lose on the round-which fallnded just now, has been Pauline Yee, Mrs. Henry Ching.

nigh the job." which the United trade is almost certainly

abouts,

published so recently that I do not Ms Alice Chow, Mrs. Violet Chan, States is supplying under the Lend panied by

propose to refer to it at length, Mrs. Mavis Cheung, Mrs. Rose volume. Unfortunately, the Gov. Here I would like to say a few pending full consideration by the Y. Chow, Miss Suey Ming, Mrs. Another par-time dificulty arises ernment Statistical Department words on the increasing importance appropriate Sub-Committees of the Irene Law and others. from limitation of imperts into the does not publish touage figures of our local industry. The old Chamber. It is clearly a valuable, United Kingdom and other parts and I should like to take this op-jestablished industries of ship-bulid- and most instructive document, MACAO GOVERNOR of the Empire, effected by means

DEPARTS of import licences and quotas. The portunity of suggesting that this in and repairing, cement making the product of wide knowledge and The report should powers of the Taricus Controllers Point might be remedied when and sugar refining all show inexperience.

The first official visit to Hong- creased activity, but it is rather to help the whole Colony to take peaceful conditions recuru.

Meantime," however, some very the growth of the more recently long views in the development of kong of His Excellency the Goy-

its most valuable asset.

ernor of Macao, Commander interesting figures for wholesale established industries that I-refer. consideration-- the availability, prices, covering 1939 and 1940, and I would particularly ask Jopathy with the merchant com-Mme. Teixeira, accompanied by We have again to express sym- Gabrial Mauricio Teixeira and pi shipping. Merchants and were released for publication ay to study the figures given on page munity in Canton who for another an import konce has been grant- the Import & Export Department 60 of the Chamber's Report. You ed, or a quota has been axed, their last month. The average increase will see that the export value of year have suffered by force of terday morning when the dis

circumstances beyond their con-

Enguished party boarded the, 8.5′′ troubles, sometimes, have only just in price durinig. 1940 over 139 was the goods listed therein has introl-the almost complete loss of not on for Macso. begun. Under changed circu- largest in the mineral group, with eased from attle under $35 their trade. A year ago there were millions in 1939 to over 361 mall hopes of the re-opening of the

Among those present at the stances the import cence may be an increase of 44:52 per cent; and Mons in 1940-an increase of 46.98River, but I regret to say that Jung On wharf to bid the party per cent.:, and this in spite of

[bon voyage were the Hon. Mr. Leo these have not yet materialised. quotes, export Heences and other

We are all glad that is Excel-d'Almada e Castro, nr., Lieut. K'E' impediments.

lency the Governor has returned Young, AD.C. to His Excellency Admittedly this total is small ii: withstanding the need to reduce ad prices remained stationary comparison with the combined im- and trust that his strength may de B. Botelho, Ron, A. D. C to His to the Colony recovered in health the Governor, and Captain H. Ạ. Imports to a minimum has decid the increase or decrease in the port and export gure of $1,374.5 be maintained to face the stren-Excellency. ed are definitely required by the total value of the trade of the Co-millions, but it will be realised how crus duties which each day and people at Home

lony would accurately represent the important a place in the life of the hour bring to him these times LIFE & DEATH. STRUGGLE percentage increase or decrease in community These obstacles to the shipment the total tonnage of that trade have now taken when it is rememme also to express our apprecia- of stress. I am sure you will wish of completed goods involve losses for Therefore, to obtain a comparison bered

that the amount which tion of the services rendered to the all concerned, but such troubles between 1939 and 1940 tonnages we "sticks" with the Colony. 1.e. the colony by General Norton during have to be taken in good, part as should step up the value of the difference between the import his term as Acting-Governor. an inevitable accompaniment of 1939 figures by the average increase value of the raw materials and the life and death struggle in fin ebat between the two years. In the export price, is probably no which the British Empire is now terms of 1940 values, we thus ar less than 66 per cent, on the The motion before the meeting No. 188 Nanchang,Street, Sham engaged. The Chamber of Com-rive at a figure of 299.8 millions average in the case of locally includes the adoption of the Ac-shulpop, died at the Kowloon Hos merce has been actively occupied sterling for 1999 trade as against made articles, whereas the amount counts of the Chamber. These call pital, on Sunday from head m throughout the year in doing all it E85.1 millions sterling for 1910. | sticking with the Colony on ac- Continued Page 11 Col. 3 urles he had sustained,

suspended or cancelled, or the mallest in the foodstuff group shipping space available may be 28.58 per cent: The average in- quite insufficient to carry the goods Creuse for all commodities works which the Board of Trade-not-out at 35.39 per cent.

local manufactures.

INGREASE IN FEES

Captain Silva è Costa, ended yes-

DIED FROM HEAD INJURIES

Alleged to be one of three rob- bers who were beaten off by their intended victim with a “wooden pole, last Wednesday morning, at

Silverware Department

Tel. 28151.

192925125725252525252525252

SUMMER CLOTHES

Women's, Men's & Children's

WANTED URGENTLY

>

HONGKONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

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For Sale Export Licence Forms

10 Forms

50

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