Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 404

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CHINA

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fact, however, that Hong Kong serves primarily as a port of transhipment for goods leaving, China, and as a relatively small portion of the export trade originates in the Colony, most of Hong Kong's share of the Chinese export trade should be re-allocated to other foreign countries. Excluding Hong Kong, 13 countries bought more than they sold to China, the principal being France and the Netherlands, while those countries having the major excess of imports were Germany, Netherlands India, Japan, and Great Britain, in that order. Imports from the United States of America were valued at $185 milion as against $175 million, an increase of 16 per cent. Imports of metal manufactures, not otherwise recorded, increased by $9.8 million and leaf tobacco by $6.8 million, while the import of raw cotton declined by $14.9 million and kerosene oil by $7.9 million. On export account, trade with the United States was valued at $186 million as against $136 million, or an in- crease of 37 per cent. Wood oil advanced by $24 million odd, bristles by $6.7 million, undressed goat skins by $3.3 million, dressed or undressed lamb skins by $1.8 million, cross-stich work and embroideries, other than silk, by $6.4 million, ground-nut oil by $2.5 million, and raw cotton by $3.7 million. Export to the United States of America or sesamum seed declined by $3.4 million. In the case of Japan imports rose from $139 million to $153 million, or by 10 per cent. The principal increase, $7 million, appears under the head- ing of metals and ores. Imports of cotton piece goods, however, declined by almost the same figure, $6.9 million, and sugar by $3.8 million. Exports to Japan were valued at $102 million as compared with $82 million, an increase of 24 per cent. Raw cotton was higher by nearly $5 million, while hides, sesasmum seed, and coal advanced by $2.3 million, $1.3 million, and $3.7 million respectively. The export of cotton yarns was lower by $1.3 million. Great Britain's imports stood at $110 million as against $93 million, a 12 per cent increase. There was an increase of close on $6 million in the import of locomotives and tenders and of nearly $5 million under wool manufactures thereof. The import of paperware and articles made of paper, not otherwise recorded, also increased by $5 million, while cotton piece goods declined and machinery and tools were lower by $3.4 million. Exports to Great Britain totalled $65 million as against $49 million, an improvement of 32 per cent. Animal products were higher by almost $7 million, hides, leather, and skins (furs) by $2 million, wood oil by $1.7 million, and broad beans by nearly $1 million. Raw silk (white, steam filature) and antimony regulus were each higher by approximately half a million dollars. From British India the the import of rice and paddy declined by $14 million, while the export to British India of cotton yarn fell by $3.7 million. The import trade of Germany rose in value from $103 million to $105 million, or by 46 per cent. Imports of common printing and newsprinting paper were higher by $4.4 million, sulphate of ammonia by $4.8 million. Machinery and parts declined by $4.7 million, and artificial indigo, liquid or paste by $1.8 million. Exports to Germany were valued at $39 million as against $29 million, an increase of 34 per cent. Animal products improved by $5 million, wood oil by $2.4 million, sheep's wool by $3.8 million, and cow hides by nearly $1 million, while raw cotton fell by close on $2 million. Imports from France were higher by $5 million, or 38 per cent, the major increase being in rails, which increased by $2.7 million. Exports were slightly higher at $30 million against $29 million, the export of wood oil advancing by $2 million, but there was a decline of over $2 million in the export of shelled groundnuts and of nearly $1 million in raw silk (white, steam filature). Imports from Indo-China of rice and paddy declined by nearly $45 million, while exports to French Indo-China of raw silk (white, steam filature) were higher by $2.7 million. The import of rice and paddy from Siam was also lower by $8.7 million, while wheat from Australia fell by close on $20 million. The import from Netherlands India of sugar was lower by $2 million, while gasolene was higher by $4.9 million and kerosene oil by nearly $13 million. Export to the Netherlands of shelled groundnuts fell by $4 million, but that country took

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