Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 548

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

A150

TSINGTAO (KIAOCHAU)

served for the use of ocean and coastwise steamers. The work was commenced in July, 1932 and, according to the terms of the contract, should be completed in four years.

TRADE IN 1932

Efficient administration of the province of Shantung by the provincial chairman, General Han Fu Chu, and a like efficient administration of the port, of Tsingtao by the mayor, Admiral Shen Hong Lieh, made local conditions favourable for trade during the year, giving agriculture in the interior a chance to flourish and leaving industries and business in the city free from labour or political disturbances. It is true that hostilities broke out between. General Han and General Liu Chen-nien in the north- eastern area of the province, but the fighting had an insignificant effect on business at Tsingtao and did not interfere with traffic on the Kiao-Tsi Railway or dislocate agricultural pursuits in the areas usually drawn upon by the port. The Manchurian and the Shanghai affairs also affected the port only to a slight extent, and, as the anti- Japanese boycott was not strictly enforced in the province, imports from Japan were actually encouraged by the fall of the yen. Despite these favourable conditions locally, it is disappointing to note that the statistics for the year reveal a fairly general decline in trade, due, apparently to the depressed state of commerce and industry abroad and the impoverished state of China as an outcome of the calamities of 1931. The only section of trade to show an improvement was direct foreign imports, and the increase under this heading was substantial, the value of such imports rising from 46.3 million Haikwan taels in 1931 to 56.3 million taels in the year under review.

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Direct exports to foreign countries decreased in value from 48 million taels in 1931 to 25.9 million taels; exports of Chinese produce to Chinese ports decreased from 57.9 to 45 million taels; and imports of Chinese produce decreased from 37.7 to 33.3 million taels. Although the mills were busy throughout the year, imports of raw cotton from abroad amounted to only 162,000 piculs, all from America. The partial failure of the Indian crop and the large yield of native cotton in Shantung were responsible for the smaller quantity imported from abroad. In recent years American cotton seed has been introduced and successfully cultivated in Shantung, so much so, that 70 per cent. of the crop is now classified as "American" or "staple cotton" and the remainder as "native" or "rough cotton"

The cotton spinning industry was perhaps the least affected by the financial depression, and a considerable measure of prosperity was enjoyed. Local mills increased their effectiveness by a further addition of 27,000 spindles during 1932, and a much better output was the result.

The other great interest of the port is the ground-nut trade. Shantung ranks first amongst the provinces in the production of this commodity, followed by Anhwei and Kwangtung. In the period under review the export trade in this commodity fell off considerably the quantities shipped being 0.2 million piculs in shell and 1.4 million piculs of kernels. Nevertheless, exportations might have suffered more considering the further decline in international trade generally, while the rise of competition in Manchuria cannot be ignored. It is reported that some 80,000 tons of groundnuts were produced in Manchuria and the Kwantung Leased Territory during 1932, an increase of 60 per cent. for that area.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 548

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