A442
KOWLOON FRONTIER DISTRICT
TRADE IN 1938
The total value of the trade in the Kowloon district for 1938 amounted to 176.7 million standard dollars, an increase of 77.4 million when compared. with the corresponding figure for 1937. The following are the values of direct foreign trade recorded during the year with comparative statistics for the preceding year: Imports: 146.0 million dollars as against 82.7 million in 1937 ;
Exports: 30.7 million dollars as against 16.6 million in 1937. These figures are not so gratifying as would appear at first sight, and although the volume of trade actually surpassed all previous records, depreciation of the foreign exchange value of the standard dollar by nearly 50 per cent during the latter half of 1938 must not be overlooked. On the other hand, the tighten- ing of the blockade of the China coast, and still more the closing of the Yangtsz to shipping, only served to increase overland trade.
Statistics for direct imports show an increase of 7.9 millions gasolene. The importation of kerosene oil, however, was only 24.3 million litres, being 21.4 million litres less than 1937. Liquid fuel declined from 60,634 metric tons in 1937 to 36,108 metric tons in 1938. For lubricating oil there was an increase of 1.6 million litres over 1937 figure of 5.7 million litres. The large quantities of rice imported by steamer to Canton affected importations at Kowloon and a noticeable decrease resulted.
Among exports, wolfram, antimony regulus, wood oil and tea all established new records. Lack of demand, lower prices and the "Exchange Control" system accounted for the slump in duck feathers.
Owing to the Sino-Japanese crisis and fear of a European war exchange markets were in a constant state of confusion, and fluctuation of the standard dollar and Canton currency in relation to each other coupled with sharp depreciation of both in relation to foreign currencies had an important bearing on commercial transactions and trade in general. Sterling exchange on Hongkong remained steady throughout and only fluctuated between 1/2-7/8, and 1/2-19/32.
The trade of the Colony increased by 4.2 per cent compared with 1937, and in terms of sterling by 4.5 per cent. The value of imports was $618.1 (£38.2) millions compared with $617.1 (£38.1) millions in 1937; whilst the value of exports was $511.9 (£31.7) millions compared with, $467.3 (£28.8) milliona in 1937.
DIRECTORY
關龍九 Kow Loon Kwan CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS (Kowloon & District)-Hong Kong Add: Fourth Floor, Marina House, 15-19, Queen's Road Central; Telephs. 28491-6; Cable Ad: Code Hongkong
Commissioner-E. A. Pritchard Administrative Deputy Commis-
sioner-R. R. de L. Liesching Preventive Deputy Commissioner-
W. A. B. Gardener
Deputy Commissioner (Special List) & Chief Tidesurveyor W. J. Fulker Assistants-T. C. Gerhain, Pun Kwok- ching, Chan Leung Sing, Hung Chang Chien, Ko I-hua, Lo Yuan
Hsun, Yeh Shu Lien, Fung Kee Yuen, Hsieh Min Tai and Moe Kung Luen
Clerks-Chan Shiu Man, Liu Gut
Ping, Chung Kwok-lum, Kan Wei! Wen, Huang Kuo Liang, Lam Yung Sheng, Wong Kin-woo, Chan Kwok Wing, Wong Chit Chiu, Chen Ching Hao, Chang Ping-uan, Chen Hsiao Feng, Cheung King Chiu, Lo Hoi-iu, Sze King Dong. David Tim Hung, Chen Chang Jui, Ip Kwok Chu, Chen King Chow, Hwang Shou-hwa, Hwong Chun Chieh, Feng Hing Kan, Wei Dji Fen, Chi. V Hsing, Lam Sek Chou, Li Fuk Cho, Ma Kwok Wing, Lee Man Kwan, Yeh Hown Kao, To Shiu Wah, Seto Ding and Leung Wai-dak
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