Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 810

A428

SWATOW

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prices and a reviving market in the United States of America, the main customer for this article caused a firm demand which increased the total export value of this article from 5.2 million dollars in 1934 to 7.4 million for the year under review. Excepting also fresh oranges, kittysols, fresh vegetables, and 1st quality paper, there has been a noticeable lack of interest in exports to foreign countries. The continuance of the trade depression in the markets of the Straits Settlements, etc.-in spite of encouraging signs from increased emigration and slightly appreciating overseas remittances,-resulted in con- siderable curtailment in the movement of such articles as gunny bags, coarse chinaware, and fruits of all kinds, owing to tariff and general trade restric- tions in Annam and Netherlands India as well as competition from cheaper goods from other countries. In this connexion and in conjunction with the coastwise imports of Chinese merchandise, it is perhaps of interest to mention that almost all kittysols and the greater proportion of fresh eggs and st quality paper imported from Wenchow and Foochow are transhipped at, or subsequently re-exported from, Swatow, and that therefore the total of direct exports to foreign countries should be reduced by (probably) 1.3 million dollars to arrive at a clear understanding of the value of the exports originating in this district. The total of coastwise imports of Chinese merchandise has varied little from the previous year. Of the commodities protected by mono- polies and provincial restrictions, only sugar declined, owing to an exceptional local harvest, which at the same time gave an impetus to the export of this commodity coastwise. High prices offering in Shanghai and apprehension of a further and more successful attempt to establish a local restrictive monopoly caused a rush towards the end of the year which raised the total value of sugar exported from 8.3 million dollars in 1934 to 13.8 million for the year under review. In other respects coastwise exports suffered slightly from a weakened demand in the markets of the North consequent on the political uncertainty there. During the year exchange between Swatow and Hongkong ranged from Swatow $1,096 to Hongkong $1,000, and between Swatow and Shanghai (up till 4th November) from Swatow $1,010 to $1,132 for Shanghai $1,000. The district generally was peaceful except for sporadic bandit depre- dations and minor isolated cases of piracy. Industrial development generally has declined. The only important contribution is that of the Kityang Sugar Factory constructed by, and under the auspices of, the provincial government. It is designed to crush a maximum of 750 tons of sugar cane a day. i.e., to produce about 75 tons of sugar, and it came into operation on the 20th December. Communications in Eastern Kwargtung was reported to be improving. The following are the principal highways of the province: the Shanchang Highway, the Kwangshan Highway, and the Chao Shan Hute Highway.

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