Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 601

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

TAINAN, TAKOW AND ANPING

539*

Amoy and Swatow. For direct steamers from Japan to the southern ports, a subsidy of Yen 124,800 is paid to the same company, as well as Yen 143,825 for a service of steamers round the coast of Formosa throughout the year. The residents in the southern ports have been agitating for the establishment of direct Mail lines to Japan, on the plea that it is a hindrance to their trade to have to ship by rail to Keelung. As regards the fruit trade, which is mainly a southern industry, an arrangement has recently been arrived at between shippers and the three principl lines running from Takow, that shipments will in future be made by steamer direct from that port, instead of from Keelung, as hitherto. Another development of southern trade that is being fostered is the fishing industry, in connection with which direct boats to Japan are now being run.

The Government Railway now runs day and night trains between Keelung and Takow, the length of which line is approximately 246 miles. There are many private light railways running inland from the main line, tapping the country districts. The chief of these was the Arisan Railway, which has now been acquired by the Governinent. This line taps the valuable timber forests on Mount Arisan, and is notable for its gradients and the number of tunnels along the route. Many of the private lines are owned by sugar companies who, in addition to transporting. their materials, also carry passengers and goods.

Customs returns for 1921-22:-

Anping Takow

Imports and Exports Combined

•

...

... 19

...Yen 8,843,274 109,926,557

Total

...Yen 118,769,831

The import trade is mainly in the hands of Japanese firms, the only item still in the hands of foreigners being kerosene. The Government has given every encourage- ment to the sugar industry, and many large modern mills liave been erected during the past few years. Of the six staple industries of Formosa, namely, Tea, Opium, Camphor, Salt, Sugar and Rice, three-Opium, Camphor and Salt-have been mouopo- lised by the Formosan Government, which now derives three-fourths of its ordinary revenue from these sources. Formerly, the trade in Opium and Camphor in this district was in the hands of the foreign merchants at Anping and Takow, and amounted before the Japanese occupation to nearly £250,000 per annum. Since the creation of the monopolies the merchants have thus been deprived of a large propor- tion of their income. They feel the hardship, particularly in the case of the camphor trade, which was originated and developed in this district entirely by their capital and enterprise, for the loss of which they have received no equivalent.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 601

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