Directory_and_Chronicle_1938 — Page 529

WEIHAIWEI

7

A131

with the record figure of 1935 ($11 million). It is noteworthy that whereas in 1935 domestic trade and foreign trade accounted for 55 and 45 per cent of the total value respectively, in the year under review the percentage contributed by domestic trade reached 70 per cent of the total, foreign trade accounting for only 30 per cent. The available Customs statistics according to value were as follows: direct foreign imports, $1.2 million against $2.2 million; coastwise importations of Chinese produce, $4.1 million as against $4.3 million; direct exports to foreign countries, $2.3 million as against $2.9 million; and coast wise exportations of Chinese produce, $3 million as against $1.6 million. It will be observed from these statistics that the fact that the total value of trade did not show a substantial decline was solely due to the remarkable appreciation in value of coastwise exports, all other categories, especially direct foreign imports, showing decreases. In contrast to the previous year, the principal feature of the foreign import trade was the heavy decline in importations of kerosene oil, timber and sugar. Arrivals of kerosene oil declind from 533,616 litres in 1935 to 208,521 litres, or slightly less than the 1934 figure. Timber importations decreased from 21,257 cubic metres in 1935 to 12,616 cubic metres, while importations of sugar amounted to only 3,005 quintals compard with 5,917 quintals in 1935, though all indications were that substantially less of this commodity was being smuggled Rice was the only staple line of coastwise importations to show an increase, all other lines, particulary cotton yarn, cotton shirtings and sheetings, and wheat flour, showing decreases. As usual, exports consisted practically entirely of groundnuts, which commodity remains the mainstay of the port. Conditions in the local ground nut trade compared favourably with those of the preceeding year although the total quantity shipped declined by over 20 per cent, only 293,000 quintals leaving the port as compared with 369,000 quintals in 1935. This was due principally to the much higher prices ruling for the commodity, which brought foreign business virtually to a standstill. So substantially higher were prices that the value of the reduced 1936 shipments actually showed an increase of some 7 per cent over that of 1935. Of the 1936 shipments, 48 per cent abroad and 513 per cent coastwise. The year was a markedly better one for the local fishing industry, the spring season being the best enjoyed for many years. The number of trawlers using for the port as a base of operations during the year was 156, showing an increase of 48 over the 1935- figures, while no less than 46 newly purchased trawlers from Dairen were registered locally, many of which were larger and better equipped vessels than those purchased during previous years. The North China Fishing Trawlers Industry Guild (***** Ent) was reorganised during the year and its name changed to the Huang Po Fishing Trawlers Industry Association, Limited (EXOLNXN) as from the 1st October 1936. Interest in fruit-farming continued unabated, and it is said there are now some 4,000 nou under fruit cultivation, principally apples. This new industry continues to be actively fostered by the local administration which operates a model fruit farm the area of which was considerably extended during the year.. Continued straitened financial circumstances again prevented the local administration from carrying out any publid works of note during the year. The new four-storied hotel styled the Weihaiwei Grand Hotel (), constructed during 1935- at a cost of $30,000 was opened in the spring and is said to have done quite well during the summer season, which was a very much better one than that of the previous year.