Directory_and_Chronicle_1939 — Page 510

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TSINGTAO (KIAOCHAU)

The Public Works Department has been steadily improving the water supply in spite of difficulties deriving from comparatively scanty rainfall and lack of access to rivers or lakes. The Telephone Administration has also been keeping abreast of local development and has undertaken the installa- tion of 400 additional instruments. Last, but by no means least, the greatest care is being given to education. Municipal expenditure in the latter con- nection has doubled in the past two years.

According to a Chinese census, the population has increased by over 18,000 persons during 1933 and now stands at a total of 444,690 inhabitants. The most important development on hand at present is the construction of a new concrete and granite pier in the Great Harbour, a basin reserved for the use of ocean and coastwise steamers. The work was commenced in July, 1932 and, according to the terms of the contract, should be completed in four years.

TRADE IN 1937

The trade statistics recorded by the Customs for the value of the trade of Tsingtao were as follows: direct foreign imports, $49.8 million as compared with $54.8 million; coastwise importations of Chinese merchandise, $36.3 million as against $33.8 million; direct foreign exports, $58 million as against $51.5 million; and coastwise exportations of Chinese produce, $88.5 million as com- pared with $95.6 million. Trade during the early months of the year was on the whole satisfactory, but the hopes entertained for a further improvement dur- ing the summer were soon dispelled by the outbreak of Sino-Japanese hostilities. in the North. Although the conflict did not directly affect the port of Tsingtao until the end of July, the disruption of railway traffic produced an unsettling effect in general, added to which the month of July normally starts the slack season for exports. In August the situation became extremely tense but was relieved on the withdrawal of the Japanese community at the end of that month. In consequence, however, trade suffered a severe set-back with large-scale smuggling. With the suspension of direct trade with Japan, trade underwent serious changes and experienced new developments in the disposal of raw materials and the obtaining of supplies hitherto originating in Japan. There was, nevertheless, a notable exception in the case of exports abroad, especially in the demand for eggs and egg products, bristles, and groundnut oil. At the close of the year practically all Chinese firms had suspended business, there being no means of fulfilling the orders received, while the destruction of the Japanese cotton mills, prior to the withdrawal of the Chinese forces, terminated the spin- ning and weaving industries of the port. The Japanese occupation of Tsingtao did not take place until early in the New Year, 1938.

Under foreign imports there was a decline under the heading of vehicles from $10.7 million to $3.6 million, railway locomotives imported during the year under review being valued at $1.7 million only as compared with $8.9 million during 1936. Machinery and tools imported were valued at $6.2 million as compared with $6.5 million and metals at $5.7 million as against $5.8 million. In the former category Japanese textile machinery and tools largely predominate, but upon the closing-down of the many cotton mills in August this class of imported goods noticeably declined. Under the heading of metals and ores, the bulk of the importation consisted of tinned iron plates for the manufacture of kerosene oil containers. The import of raw cotton and of cereals and flour showed further declines, while there was an improvement in the import of sugar from 110,595 to 228,904 quintals. Similarly, there was a further decline from 67,449 to 39,159 kilogrammes only in the import of artificial silk yarn. The year's total importa- tion of timber was valued at $4.2 million as against $3.4 million for the preceding year. Imports of foreign rice totalled 7,487 quintals only and of domestic rice 242,655 quintals as against 262,580 quintals during 1936. Kerosene oil imports. stood at 40,162,130 litres, of which 31,305,107 litres came from Netherlands India, 7,568,406 litres from the United States of America, and 1,081,967 litres from Japan. Of staple exports, the export abroad of shelled groundnuts was valued at $5.9 million as compared with $5 million, with coastwise exports valued at

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