Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 1525

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PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

industry found an ever-widening local market. The most important of these native cloths manufactured are the "sinamay" and the "abatex," both of which are made mostly from the abaca fibre, tlie "piña" made from the pineapple fibre, the "jusi" made from imported gummed spun silk fibres in threads mixed with mercerized cotton or the native abaca, piña and maguey fibres, and the "Abel Iloco" or Ilocano cloth manufactured in the Iloco provinces from both native and imported cotton threads. Philippine hand-made embroideries are of cotton and linen; no silk is used. The materials chiefly used in the making of Philippine embroideries are nainsooks, batiste, voile, georgette, crepe de chine and net-cotton. These materials are imported from the United States. The principal articles of embroideries made are lingerie, children's clothes, handkerchiefs, table cloths and underwear of various classes, which are for the most part prepared according to orders received from the United States. The work done is of a very good grade and brings good prices. On account of the abundance of suitable local materials for hat-making and the excellent prices offered for Philippine hats, the manufacture of hats is a profitable industry. Philippine hats are made from native materials such as bamboo, buntal, buri, sabutan and pandan.

The minor industries of the Islands include shipbuilding, foundries and machine shops, the making of shoes, soap, matches, salt and pots, besides the aerated water and inineral water factories, Among the potential industries are the cement, leather, button, glass, perfume, starch, caustic soda and coir mat industries.

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

The economic development of the Philippines has brought in its train the formation of many trade unions, organizations and mutual benefit societies for the protection and advancement of labour's interests and for mutual help. The first labour organization established in the Islands was "Union Obrera Democratica” (Democratic Labour Union) on February 2nd, 1902, in the city of Manila. Subsequently, the formation of labour organizations was given greater impetus as the workers were stimulated by the success attained in dealing collectively with their employers in their demand for higher wages and better working conditions, until at the end of 1921 a total of 101 such organizations with a paid membership of 61,935 were in existence in the whole Archipelago, the majority of them being located in the city of Manila. In the Philippines there are two national labour organizations controlling the majority of trade unions and other organizations, viz., Čongreso Obrero de Filipinas (Labour Congress of the Philippines) and Federacion del Trabajo de Filipinas (Federation of Labour of the Philippines).

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

The bulk of overseas shipments are made from the port of Manila, although other smaller ports also have direct connections with foreign ports. The most important of thesc are Cebu, Iloilo and Zamboanga. These and the other smaller ports now open to foreign trade are growing in importance. They possess good harbour facilities, are well protected from storms, and vessels drawing 30 feet or more can load and unload alongsids their wharves with perfect safety. Nearly a thousand inter island vessels are now operated in the coastwise trade.

Manila, the capital and chief port of the Islands, is on the largest and finest bay in the Orient. The harbour at the entrance of this bay is landlocked. The anchorage space for steamers is protected by a scmi-circular break water within which is a basin. large enough to accommodate all vessels of the size of the "Empress" liners. To-day four piers project into the harbour, and another is being projected. Regular steamship lines are maintained between Manila and Hongkong, Amoy, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Cadiz and Australian ports.

There are at present 1,225 kilometres of railroad car-lines in the Philippines. They are owned by two companies the Manila Railroad Company, which is owned by the Government; and the Philippine Railway Company, which will soon be purchased by the Government. In Manila and in the province of Rizal, electric car service is maintained by the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company, the total extent of its lines being 95 kilometres.

Next in importance to railways in the domestic transportation of the Islands are motor vehicles. Many private individuals and companies authorized by the Public Utility Commission are engaged in land transportation both for passengers and freight.

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