Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 505

WEIHAIWEI

A129

within the district itself. Moreover, although road traffic between the interior and Weihaiwei was brought to a standstill, communication was maintained by junk without serious obstruction, so that the port's trade remained surprisingly buoyant in the face of existing difficulties. The currency question, in fact, only prohibited the use of national currency "southern" notes and placed national currency "northern" notes at a discount of 10 per cent against Federated Reserve currency.

The total value of the trade of the port covered by Customs statistics was approximately $9.5 million as compared with $10.4 million during 1937, or a decrease of 10 per cent. Direct foreign imports for the year were valued at $1.7 million as compared with $0.7 million during the preceding year; coastwise imports of Chinese produce at $2.7 million as against $3.7 million; direct exports abroad at $1.4 million as against $2.5 million; and coastwise exporta- tions of Chinese produce at $3.7 million as compared with $3.5 million. The increase in the value of direct foreign imports was largely due to the treatment. from the 30th, March, 1938, as foreign of Manchurian goods hitherto treated as domestic imports, and was therefore made at the expense of the domestic import figures. For instance, the import of fertiliser (beancake) from foreign countries increased from 400 quintals in 1937 to 48,013 quintals, whereas the domestic trade figures show a decrease of 27,979 quintals. Importations of kerosene oil from abroad dropped from 204,010 to only 25,871 litres, while the import of sulphate of ammonia also declined from 7,415 to 4,290 quintals, due to the greater employ- ment of beancake as fertiliser. Sugar arrivals fell by 872 to 2,571 quintals. Foreign imports of rice increased from 13 quintals only during 1937 to 20,083 quintals. On the other hand, native rice and paddy declined from 78,252 to 11,359 quintals, making a total drop in arrivals of this staple of 46,823 quintals. The reduced consumption of rice in the district was to some extent made good by the greater use of maize, of which 29,860 quintals were imported as compared with 8,529 quintals during 1937. Of wheat flour, 45,285 quintals were imported as compared with 56,689 quintals during the preceding year of the import dur- ing the year under review of 45,285 quintals, 43.376 quintals came from Chinese ports.

Under exports of foreign countries, groundnuts accounted for 93 per cent of the trade, although the actual quantity exported was 87,497 quintals as compared with 118,464 quintals during the year 1937. Coastwise exports of groundnuts, mainly to Southern ports, increased from 163,402 to 212,075 quintals. The groundnuts crop in the Weihaiwei district is said to have decreased by 30 per cent since the preceding year, owing to the more extensive cultivation of cereals made necessary by the unsettled conditions prevailing. The increase in the ex- port trade of Weihaiwei is accounted for by the diversion to that port of ground- nuts grown in areas normally supplying the Tsingtao market. Exchange control and other difficulties met with at Tsingtao were fortunately not experienced at Weihaiwei, and groundnuts continued to reach the port by junk for re-exporta- tion by steamer without restriction throughout the year. Towards the close of the year very heavy shipment were made owing to rumours that exchange control would shortly be enforced: the prospects for the local trade remain, therefore, most uncertain.

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The year was a most unsatisfactory one for the fishing trade. The Japanese naval blockade and the tense situation prevailing after the Japanese occupation of Weihaiwei kept most of the fishing-trawlers in a state of idleness throughout the springfishing season. Fortunately, about 47 trawlers were able to operate during the autumn season. Exports from Weihaiwei of fresh and salt fish remained at approximately the same low level as that of the preceding year, which was also a bad one for this usually prosperous industry. The hostilities also seriously affected the once prosperous silk hosiery and embroidery trades. A total of 1,114 vessels, aggregating 864,251 tons, entered the port during the year. These figures show a decline of 2,093 vessels and 270,751 tons as compared with The decline was attributable to the hostilities, which have reduced the Chinese steamer tonnage from 272,513 to 51,076 tons.

1937.