Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 494

A118

CHEFOO

of linen, Germany also being one of the leading importers of penelope canvas. Import of refined sugar showed a marked increase during the year from 15,372 to 34,004 quintals, import from Hongkong totalling 26,652 quintals and from Japan 6,819 quintals. Artificial silk yarn imports declined from 2,586 kilogrammes in 1937 to 2,064 kilogrammes as compared with 28,506 kilogrammes in 1936 and 124,886 kilogrammes in 1935. While the sharp decline in 1937 was attributed to smuggling activities, the slump in this trade during 1938 was largely due to the interruption of normal communications with the interior. Imports of Korean ginseng also declined, aggregating only 1,606 hectogrammes as against 114,861 hectogrammes in 1937, due to unsettled conditions in South China and the Yangtze ports which are the sole markets for this commodity. In view of the fact that supplies of fuel to the interior were prohibited for many months and that trucks and buses in many cases suspended their regular ser- vices, it might have been assumed that import of petroleum products would have declined heavily all round. The statistical records, on the contrary, fail to support this assumption. Though gasolene and liquid fuel did show a sharp decline from 478,075 litres and 3,605 metric tons in 1937 to 125,227 litres and 1,402 metric tons in 1938, there was an increased import of lubricating oil from 456,155 to 513,264 litres, while kerosene oil imports maintained the level of the previous year, being 992,198 litres as against 1,073,690 litres in 1937. Importa- tions of lubricating oil from Japan and of kerosene oil from the United States of America remained fairly steady, but it is noteworthy that the supply of gasolene from Japan during 1938 amounted to 113,718 litres as against 266 litres in 1937 and 76 litres in 1936. There was a noticeable decline in the importation of metals and machinery and in such construction materials as galvanized iron sheets, timber and cement due to the suspension of construction work in Chefoo and environs.

Under coastwise importations the statistics are subject to certain change in interruption, all import from Manchuria, as already pointed out, being treated as of foreign origin since the revision of tariff rates in February, whereas prior thereto such commodities as beans, peas, beancakes, etc., were recorded as native imports, accordingly the undermentioned coastwise imports represent only those from other ports in China. Among these, sugar of all kinds reached 60,774 quintals, surpassing previous records. Native cotton piece-goods, cotton socks and stockings and cotton yarn advanced respectively from 25,980 quintals, 179,200 dozens, and 12,006 quintals to 45,193 quintals, 244,817 dozens, and 56,854 quintals, foreign imports being gradually replaced by native manufactures. Matches rose from 250 gross to the record figure of 876,110 gross, due to the shrinking of the foreign match trade. Paper of all qualities totalled 102,299 quintals as against 23,027 quintals, due to depleted stocks and brisker demand. Other minor increases occurred in wood oil and scented tea, while cigarettes ran parallel with the preceding year's figures. Coal fell heavily and cement dropped by 40,801 quintals.

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Under exports abroad, fresh fruits maintained a satisfactory level, Hong- kong being the principal market, absorbing 4,370 quintals out of a total export of fresh apples of 8,634 quintals and 5,811 quintals of fresh pears out of a total export of 14,425 quintals. Dairen also emerged as another important market, taking 2,899 quintals of apples, 8,280 quintals of pears, all 11,521 quintals of other fruits. Groundnut products did not suffered so severely as anticipated, several districts in the interior formerly send-their output to Tsingtao finding Chefoc a more convenient outlet. The autumn crop was reported to be some 30 per cent below the previous year's due to little rainfall, but the quality remained excellent, the nuts being free from excessive moisture and fir for export earlier than usual. The demand for groundnuts was firm throughout the year, and Netherlands occupying the premier place as buyer, taking 42,823 quintals of groundnuts in shell and 10,118 quintals of groundnuts kernals. Germany's purchases also improved in the case of kernals, totalling 8,098 quintals as against 101 quintals. The French market was well maintained, while drastic curtailments in orders from Great Britain and Italy were made up by enhanced demands from Hongkong and Dairen. The vermicelli market suffered a reversal, only 18,180 quintals being exported, almost all to Hongkong, as against 35,940