380
CHINA
:
by the "Conference" lines amounting to 34,502 tons of merchandise, the figures for the total shipments carried away by all such "Conference" vessels in the year under review being 206,727 tons, as against 241,229 tons in 1930. As some allowance should be made, however, for cargoes shipped by other steamship lines that were not members of the "Conference" at the beginning of the year, for shipments to Hong- kong, and for the considerable cargoes carried by Japanese lines to Japan, the figures are by no means a guide to the total exports from China; but they do indicate that less cargo was offering for the European and Pacific routes against an available shipping tonnage that was in excess of the previous year. Broadly speaking, "Conference" freight rates to Europe and North Africa were considerably reduced in the early part of 1931 in an effort to encourage business and defeat the competition of "Non-Conference" lines, but, were later increased by 20 per cent. to compensate for the fall in the value of sterling after Great Britain abandoned the gold standard. In more detail, general cargo at 75s. was not affected by the early reductions, but the rate was eventually increased by 20 per cent. to 90s.; hides were reduced froin 75s. to 528.; then increased to 64s. and finally to 76s. 10d.; bristles started the year at 120s. and ended at 1328.; raw cotton moved from 60s. to 66s. per ton of 40 cubic feet; oils in bulk were not affected by fluctuations other than the final increase in all rates, with the ex- ception of wood oil which was reduced from 90s. to 758. before being made subject to the general increase and returning to 90s. per ton of 20 cwt.; tea rates were maintained at 65s. until finally increased to 78s. per ton of 40 cubic feet; the rates for groundnuts in shell advanced from 100s. to 102s. per ton of 20 cwt., whereas the rates for groundnut kernels were reduced from 468. to 368.; hemp seed remained unaltered at 72s., but rape seed, sesamum seed, and linseed increased from 468. to 48s. per ton of 20 cwt. The heavy and general fall that took place in freight rates to America in 1930 was checked during the summer of the year under review, and it was even found possible in the case of certain commodities, such as silk and sesamum seed, to raise the rates slightly from the previous very unremunerative level. Since the competition of "Non- Conference" vessels has now been brought to an end, it is hoped that it will be found possible to stabilise freight rates at a more satisfactory level in 1932.
COMMUNICATIONS
The important subjects of railways, roads, and airways have been touched upon where reliable information was forthcoming, in the reviews of trade and trading conditions at the ports, and, as comprehensive data for the country as a whole is not yet available, little more can be said here that would be of any value: but a com- parative table giving certain import statistics in this connexion for the years 1929 to 1931 is printed hereunder. Besides purchases from other countries, the acquirement of new railway stock from Great Britain during the year was facilitated by the agreement reached between China and that country concerning the use of the remitted Boxer Indemnity funds; while the Government's interest in the develop- ment of airways and motor highways remained unabated, and with the active support of provincial and municipal authorities, considerable progress was again made, where flood conditions and other hindrances allowed of it, both in road-building and in the extension of public air-lines.
Railway materials:
Rails ...
...
Locomotives and tenders...
Railway carriages and wagons (includ-
ing tramcars)
...
Motor vehicles and accessories, tires, etc.:
Motor-cars:
Motor-trucks, and chassis of Passenger cars, and chassis of
Motor-cycles
1930
1931
Piculs .Value, Hk. Tls.
823,583 3,911,553
274,075
5,473,469
"}
"1
2,075,400 2,052,747
...
...
...
Pieces
1,933
1,435
2,347
2,315
458
552
""
...Value, Hk. Tls.
2,349,371
1,098,858
>>
3,032,643 4,584,352
...
"
""
3,336,804 3,990,570
Motor-cars and motor-trucks, parts and
accessories
...
...
India-rubber tires and inner tubes Aeroplanes and parts. ....
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