Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 672

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CHINA

Mr. F. E. Taylor, Statistical Secretary to the Maritime Customs, in his report of the Foreign Trade of China for 1916, says:--

General-The opening remarks of the Report on the Foreign Trade of China in 1915 apply with greater emphasis to the trade during 1916. Shortage of tonnage, high freights, increased cost of manufacture and scarcity of labour abroad, and consequent delays in delivery, all exercised a retarding influence on imports; while a great rise in the gold value of silver, added to the difficulty of finding cargo space for Europe, and certain restrictions regarding re-export from Great Britain and other countries, inter- fered seriously with export. Trade was also for a time hampered by a serious scarcity of silver, due to heavy shipments abroad. There was also considerable political unrest during the first half of the year, several provinces having declared themselves in- dependent as a protest against the resumption of Monarchy. The movements of troops, involving the commandeering of vessels and other means of transport obstructed the free transit of goods, while the disturbed state of the country in the districts affected by what was in effect a revolution against the Central Government caused great difficulty in bringing produce down to the ports and in sending silver to the interior to pay for it. The death of President Yuan on the 6th June, and the peaceful succession of Vice-President Li Yuan-hung, were followed by more normal conditions. The rice crop seems to have been abundant everywhere, and the harvests of most other agricul- tural products are reported to have been favourable; so that it may be safely said that it was only due to the conditions brought about by the war that trade was not ex- ceedingly flourishing. A very hopeful symptom is to be seen in the growth of all kinds of industries, and the statistics show that the competition of certain home-made articles, such as cotton goods and matches, is being more felt by importers. In the Kwangtung Leased Territory and elsewhere the Japanese have been showing a good example to the Chinese, and they are manufacturing dyes, sulphuric acid compounds of barium, caustic soda, creosote, and other chemicals; while the Ceramic Department of the South Manchuria Railway's Central Laboratory is turning out bowls, teacups, etc., for which there is a good demand. They are also making hardened bean oil, to be used in the manufacture of soap, stearine, and glycerine. At Tsingtau they are erecting a cotton mill, as well as a flour mill and a leather factory, and a refrigerating plant for cold storage is in course of erection. Chinese factories are increasing in number, and the formation of influential associations for the improvement of domestic products is a sign of the times, and there is every reason to hope that the energetic men who are responsible for their initiation will succeed in introducing improved methods that will largely increase the resources of the country.

The crop of cotton in 1916 was good, and Chinese cotton was the cheapest to be found in the world. The cotton grown in Shensi, esteemed the best in China, is descended from American seed introduced by missionaries some years ago, but it is slightly yellow in colour and deteriorates from year to year unless fresh seed is imported. Mixed with Tungchow cotton, it can be spun into fairly good 20's. In Shantung there is a special grade much in demand in America for medicated cotton, as it is so white that it does not require bleaching. Some very interesting experiments in cotton- growing have been made in Shanghai, and it is to be hoped the results will be noted by Government. It has been shown that, although so far the climate appears unsuit- able for American plants, which will not stand the moisture and are subject to the attacks of insect pests, improvement in cultivation and careful selection of seeds from indigenous plants can treble the crop without increasing the acreage under cultivation. Whereas a plant grown in the traditional way by the Chinese farmers yields locally an average of 5 bolls, the plants grown in the course of the experiments bore from 15 to 35 bolls, and the cotton was of superior quality. Whatever quantity of cotton is produced there will always be a market for it, as the world's demand has overtaken the supply. When the mills were first started in China cotton was selling at Shanghai Tls. 12 per picul for the best quality, but, in sympathy with dearer cotton all over the world, the price has risen until it is well over Tls. 22. As cotton is sold by weight it was inevitable that its absorbent quality would be taken advantage of to adulterate it with water, and this practice was carried to such an extent that it was found necessary for the mills to combine for the purpose of checking it. A Cotton Testing House was established in 1911, and all cotton containing more than 15 per cent. of water is now rejected. In Tientsin it has been found possible to reduce the percentage to 101, but in Shanghai, with a moister climate, a greater allowance has been found necessary.

Another staple, the export of which might be easily doubled, is silk. For many years the Chinese have been urged to adopt scientific but simple measures for eradicating the disease that in many districts destroys a very large percentage of the worms before