Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 800

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

A390

NANKING

the consequent diversion of freight from rail to steamer. A better sense of security prevailed during the rest of the year, but local business was inclined to languish until the Government returned on December 1. Passing from the affairs of the port to those of the district, the devastating effects of the floods of 1931 were seen in the reduced exports of cereals as compared with previous years, and in the reduced purchasing power of the farming community, while in parts of Anhwei conditions were made worse by active brigandage. A turn for the better came with the complete success of the Government forces in eliminating the bandit menace, and, with the restoration of peaceful conditions under which to reap the excellent autumn harvests, trade managed to revive to some extent during the last few months of the old year, and the outlook for the new year considerably improved. On the whole, however, it cannot be said that trade was bad. The value of the direct foreign import was returned at 14.9- million Haikwan taels as against 19.4 million in 1931. The general depression and the exodus of the Government to Loyang occasioned dullness in the building trade (causing the remarkable decline in timber imports) and also affected the gasolene and benzine products. Foreign coal was almost eliminated in favour of native coal. Neither did foreign cottons do well in the district: in particular, it may be noted that the import of Japanese piece goods practically ceased, while the statistics reveal more than a threefold increase in the arrivals of native piece goods.

ザ

Large importation of rice, flour and wheat, for famine relief purposes principally helped to augment the import statistics of the port. Exports coastwise through the Maritime Customs made a comparatively good showing as compared with the poor figures of the previous year, due partly to the interruption of the railway line to Shanghai during a portion of the year.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 800

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