Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 840

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

770

KIUKIANG

armies, the latter were again driven back into Kiangsi by Government forces, and a second drive on Nanchang was made. The peril appeared so imminent that the provincial government ordered all foreigners to evacuate Kuling within 48 hours. What troops could be spared were sent to relieve the situation at Kiukiang, but it was only after hostilities in the North had been concluded that the Government was able to send large forces for the suppression of Communists, and, with the advent of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek himseif to organise the campaign, conditions soon showed signs of amelioration. With the province in such a state trade could hardly be expected to thrive, and communications with the interior became more and more dislocated as the Communists progressed and as one trade centre after another fell into their hands. All producing districts were at one time or another devastated by them, with the possible exception of the paper-making region around Wucheng. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that a heavy decline in trade has to be registered. The presence of the

The presence of the Communist Suppression Armies, numbering some 100,000 men, had the somewhat interesting effect of adding considerably to the usual number of cigarette consumers and thereby causing a marked increase in the imports of this commodity. The tobacco-growing district, situated in the extreme east of Kiangsi, was constantly invaded by Communist bands, and, as a result of this and with the view of evading the many special tax offices, a fair quantity of this produce was conveyed across the border to Chekiang, where more peaceful conditions prevailed. The well- known chinaware producing district of Kingtehchen probably suffered the most from banditry. The town was occupied and looted no less than three times, and over half of the potteries had to suspend work, preventing the fulfilment of a strong demand for foreign-style crockery made to buyer's pattern, which is a new and growing industry, especially with the Canadian market. Bad crops in the autumn of 1929 made it imperative for rice-produc- ing centres to retain their stocks, and the provincial government declared an embargo on the export of this commodity. This created considerable hardship in non-producing regions, and rice riots took place in several cities, resulting invariably in the looting of rice shops by the hungry mobs. To remedy this, large consignments of foreign rice were imported, and, with the advent of the 1930 crop, the embargo on the export of rice was again lifted. A somewhat interesting increase in tonnage-236,266 tons,-although the total number of entrances and clearances was reduced, has to be noted, the reason being the arrival in port of several large ocean-going steamers carrying direct cargoes from abroad. The channels in this district gave no special cause for anxiety throughout the year, but roving bands of freebooters frequently occupied vari- ous stations ashore and afloat and generally lived upon and robbed the staff manning them, and on occasions looted the stocks of lights stores also.

The value of the trade of the port for the year 1930 was Hk. Tls. 54,967,330 as compared with Hk. Tls. 67,758,913 in 1929 and Hk. Tls. 69,216,274 in 1928.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 840

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