Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 568

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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HUNCHUN

tabliRADE IN 1931

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The peaceful conditions enjoyed in the Hunchun district in recent years continued during 1931. The excellent control exercised by the local military and civil authorities was responsible for the entire absence of those bandit outrages for which the district was at once time notorious. A severe flood in June caused the death of about 100 persons in addition to the destruction of property and and growing crops, and the harvest was so adversely affected by the heavy rains earlier in the year that an embargo off the export of cereals was imposed on the 1st December. Trade during the year was fairly satisfactory, and the gradual develop- ment of the town and district of Hunchun continued. Considerable numbers of new houses were constructed by Korean immigrants In the vicinity of the Japanese Consulate, while further progress was made in the modernisation of shop premises and other buildings. The extension of the Korean Government Railway from Yuki to Onjo was completed and opened to traffic on 20th October. A further extension of this important line has been planned and will be carried out in 1932. Within the› next few years the North Korean frontier in these parts will be served by an excellent standard-gauge railway, and development of this district may then be expected to proceed at an accelerated pace. Evidence of this tendency is already to be seen in the growth of old villages and the appearance of the ones in the Tumen valley. The new railway attracted a considerable amount of the carrying trade formerly monopolised by junks and it is probable that this tendency will be ac- centuated in years to come.onthe three local coal mines had a faily good year, but the output is restricted by the lack of large industrial [factories as consumers Gold con- tinued to be worked by primitive methods in the Tumentzu area and, of course, found a ready market. An increase in the value of direct foreign imports is shown in the returns, but this represents the higher cost of foreign goods as expressed in Haikwan taels rather than larger imports, declines being shown in foreign cotton piece goods generally, in artificial silk piece goods, and in other commodities. The higher tariff on foreign imports and the poor prices obtained for local exports were held to be con- tributing causes in the particular declines instanced. If quantity only is considered, the export trade may be said to have experienced an excellent year. Exports of beans and cereals increased very considerably. The prices obtained for these products, however, were poor, and in many cases farmers gained but little profit from their labour. Timber merchaants, on the other hand, had a very successful season. Owing to the low value of silver and the consequent high cost of foreign supplies, a ready market was available for local timber in Shanghai, Chefoo, Tientsin, and other North China ports. Timber exports therefore showed a large increase over the 1930 figures. The net value of the trade in 1931 was Hk. Tls. 2,919,507 as compared with Hk. Tls. 1,756,167 in 1930, Hk. Tls. 1,920,435, in 1929, and Hk. Tls. 3,090,776 in 1928.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 568

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