Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 969

HONGKONG

A553

The declared values of imports of merchandise during the first nine months of 1933, amounted to $381.0 millions (£25.5 millions), as compared with $477.8 millions (£31.4 millions) in the corresponding period of 1932, representing a decrease in terms of local currency of 20.3 per cent.

Exports were declared to a value of $307.0 millions (£20.5 millions), as compared with $352.3 millions (£23.2 millions): a decrease of 12.9 per cent.

Comparative figures for the first nine months of 1932 and 1933 (including: Treasure) are as follows:-

Merchandise

Treasure

Total

IMPORTS.

EXPORTS.

477,820

75,211

(000 omitted) 381,065 352,275

26,339

307,027

91,371

103,142

553,032

407,408

433,€46

410,169

It will be seen from the above table that imports of Treasure during the first nine months of 1933, amounted to $26.3 millions, a decline of $48.9 millions- as compared with the corresponding period of 1932; while exports increased from $91.4 millions to $103.1 millions, but it should be noted that these statis- tics do not accurately represent the true position, on account of concealed movements of Silver Subsidiary Coin. During the first nine months of 1932, imports of Canton 20-cent pieces totalled $22.3 millions: exports to North China in the same period, amounting to $22.0 millions. In October, 1932, an embargo was placed on the export of Silver Subsidiary Coin from South China, with the result that imports into Hong Kong almost entirely disappear- ed, although the export to North China from Hong Kong continued unabated. For the first nine months of 1933, total declared imports of 20-cent pieces from Canton amounted to only $55,000, while exports to Shanghai amounted to $22.9 millions; the disparity apparently being due to the fact that imports from Canton were neither entered on ships' manifests, nor declared to Statis- tical Office.

In the first nine months of 1932, Great Britain enjoyed 13.2 per cent, of the total import trade, but the percentage fell to 10.9 per cent. in the corres- ponding period of 1933: the Dutch East Indies, U.S.A., Germany, Malaya, Australia and Belgium also showing decreased shares of Hong Kong imports. The China share increased from 26.3 per cent. to 29.4 per cent.; Japan from 3.1 per cent. to 4.7 per cent.; French Indo-China from 8.3 per cent. to 9.3; Siam from 8.9 per cent. tq 10.5 per cent. ; and India from 2.5 per cent. to 3.0 per cent.

Total imports from the British Empire fell from 22.4 per cent.

of the total to 19.7 per cent.

In regard to imports of Piece Goods, Great Britain accounted for 42.8. per cent. of the total for the first nine months of 1932, but this figure fell to 26.6 per cent. for the corresponding period of this year: Japan increased her share from 6.5 per cent. to 8.8 per cent.; North China from 33.7 per cent. to- 46.1 per cent.; Italy from 1.0 per cent. to 1.8 per cent.; France from 0.3 per cent. to 0.4 per cent.; and Other Countries from 13.2 per cent.. to 14.0 per cent.

In the following table the total values of imports of merchants are given in £'s and $'s millions for the first nine months of the years 1923, 1924, 1931, 1932 and 1933:-