September 17, 1898.1
T
"
231-
the years 1888 and 1897, and taking only the Comparing the summary to table III. for towns and places specifically mentioned in each, we find that there have been increasesin ten.cases and decreases in twenty-one cases, The decreases are not only more numerous, but also much larger in their amounts than the increases. There are, however, only two places in which the values reach seven figures, namely Canton and Chantsun. Canton accounts for more than half the foreign imports by junk from Hongkong, namely, Tis. 9,299,365 out of a total of Tls. 15,636.853 in 1888 and Tls. 8,667,487
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
autumn crops harvested in the Kowloon "to the disadvantage of the junk trade, the 1897 Returus we find Kwaishin, province, and that "the deficit is therefore "with which alone this office has dealings," chiefly to Autau and Nanshan." Is the an indication of local prosperity. Ric and consequently to the detriment of the Autau referred to the same town in both is always a disturbing factor in the trade revenue collected for the provincial au- cases, and if so how comes it that it has returns if the totals only be looked at, for "thorities, who have suffered no inconsider- been transferred from one district to another? as in 1896-97 it may cause a variation be "able embarrassment from this curtailment | Also in the summary to table III. we find tween any two years of as much as one "of supplies. This has been notably the Autau mentioned separately and Kwaishin seventh, according to the character of the "case in respect of the trade in kerosine oil also mentioned separately, while, as men- local crops. The opium trade, being a cons- "and cotton yarn, both of which have beentioned above, in table V. Autan is included tantly declining one, is another item which "diverted to foreign bottoms, in spite of the under the heading of Kwaishin. tends to vitiate the accuracy of comparisons "endeavour, by readjustment of native based on the totals of any two years. The
"taxation, to favour their shipment in imports of foreign goods into China through "native vessels. Kerosine oil is now mostly the Kowloon and Lappa stations and the shipped by small sailing craft or lighters port of Canton in 1888, the year after the "under foreign flag, which are towed to Kowloon and Lappa stations passed under
"their destinations by steam tug." This the control of the Foreign Inspectorate, tendency to carry the trade in foreign amounted to Tls. 30,717,161, and in 1897 bottoms will become more and more marked to Tls 30,312,142 only, the figures for each as time goes on, and it is unlikely that we port or station being as follows:--
will again see any expansion of the junk 1888
1897 trade; indeed, it will be rather surprising Kowloon...Tls. 15,636,853 Tls. 18,027,228 if it holds its own. But in speaking of the Lappa..... 3,484,668 3,514,878 distributing trade of the colony we must not 13,770,036look only at the trade passing the Kowloon
Customs stations. Goods imported into Hong-out
of a total of Tls. 13,027,228 in kong areas effectively distributed, so far as the 1897, while Chantsun accounted for Tls. importer is concerned, if shipped to Canton 2,256,087 in 1888 and Tls. 1,001,486 in by steamer as they would be if sent hy junk. 1897. In the case of Canton the trade has What we have to look at is the total quantity gone to foreign built vessels, which do not of goods imported; the question of the par- 3,983,826 ticular channels through which the distri- Customs, and Chantsun, being near Canton, come under the cognisance of the Kowloon 2,284,532bution takes place is of minor importance. is now doubtless drawing some of its sup- 10,974,150 If, however, there is anything in the opera-plies from Canton under the transit pass
tion of the Kowloon Customs that tends to restrict the gross volume of trade it is most desirable that it should be brought to light, which might be done by the appointment of a commission to enquire into the dis- tribution of foreign goods in South China, the hindrances to the development of the trade, and the means by which a larger cousump
Canton
11,595,640
Tls. 30,717,161 Tls. 80,312,142 Deducting opium and rice we arrive at the following figures as the values of the trade in foreign goods in general :-
Kowloon Tls. 7.361,207 Tls. Lappa
2,873,788 Canton
5,591,198
1888
1897
junk from Hongkong. Autau shows an ap- system instead of obtaining the whole by parent decline from Tls. 674,336 to Tls. 64,098; owing to the confusion of districts it is impossible to say what the exact comparison is, but as both Sanou and Kwaishin also show decreases it would seem that there must have been an actual falling off of a very serious character. Autau is a town near the northern shore of Mirs Bay and being so close to our new An examination of the "summary", at- boundary possesses special interest for tached to table III. of the Kowloon Hongkong. What, then, can be the cause Customs Returns for 1897 and a comparison of the decline? with the same table in the 1888 Returns away from any treaty port to draw its The place is too far will demonstrate the importance of obtain-supplies. elsewhere than from Hongkong. The tables do not enable us to trace in what particular articles the decline has taken place, and we are left therefore entirely
(Daily Press, 16th September).
Tls. 15,826,163 Tls. 22,242,508 This shows an increase in ten years of 40 per cent. in currency, but as prices have in some cases risen in consequence of the fall in silver the increase in quantity would probably be found to be smaller. Putting the best face possible on it, the figures are miserably disproportionate to the population might be promoted. tion and wealth of the districts served. But the real cause of the non-expansion of the trade in foreign imports in China, and especially in the South, is the squeezes to which they have been subjected under the names of lekin, tso-li, etc. The transit pass system is now in operation in the South as well as in the North, and a considerable ex-ing more detailed information as to the dis- pansion may be looked for in the consump-tributing trade of Hongkong. The table in tion of foreign goods in the future. No one question shows the value of foreign goods has ever suggested that Chinn was not entitled
imported from Hongkong into the follow- to raise a. revenue by Customs duties, nor "ing districts and places." The districts that goods passing through the free port of or places enumerated number 83, as against Hongkong were entitled to any exemption 41 in 1888, but the apparent increase is from payment of duty upou entering China; probably more a matter of account than of what has been objected to is the arbitrary any actual increase in the number of places and uncertain levy of irregular charge.s traded to, several groups of towns being The abolition of the Customs stations in the now entered separately that were formerly neighbourhood of this colony, if it could be included under the names of their respec- effected, would therefore me in no relief to tive districts. The total imports in 1897 the legitimate trade in foreign goods, which amounted to Tls. 13,027,228, as against would have to pay at their port of destinaTls. 15,636,853 in 1888, but, as explained tion the same duties they now pay to the Kowloon Customs, or possibly higher duties. On the other hand, here and there cargoes might
it be " run without paying any duty, which, put tersely, is what the more violent of the anti-Customs party want. They think that the smuggler ought to be allowed a fair start.
by the tables showing the quantities and values of the articles imported, the differ- ence is more than accounted for by the smaller importation of rice last year, when the bounteous character of the native crops rendered any large importation of foreign grain unnecessary. The table to which we refer shows extraordinary variations, some From the figures given above it will be places showing a phenomenal increase, others seen that the trade in foreign goods passing a startling decrease, and a satisfactory ex- through Canton has increased more rapidlyplanation could only be arrived at by close than that passing the Kowloon stations. On this point Mr. HILLIER in his last report says:-"The opening of the West
River to foreign trade and the strict en- "forcement of the transit pass system for "both imports and exports have formed two "potent forces in the current of the year's "trade. While they have doubtless been of great value to merchants, and have "extended the openings for commerce, they "have tended to draw it into new channels,
"
examination of the Customis books, for the published returns do not furnish sufficient data to enable the enquirer to get at the root of the matter. In some cases towns seem to have been transferred from the heading for one district to that for another. For instance, in table No. 5 of the 1888 Returus, showing the destinations "of the principal articles of foreign and "native produce imported," we find the entry Sanon, chiefly to Autnu,” while in
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in the dark. We cannot assume that the cause of the decline is to be found in any malpractice on the part of the Customs, because the Foreign Customs are an honest service, and also because if that were the explanation we should expect to find a de- cline all along the line, whereas in some cases there have been substantial increases, as for instance at Shuitung, where the foreign imports have increased from Tls. 40,000 to Tls. 100,000. We would venture to suggest to the Commissioner that in his next Returns he might recast the tables and make them a little more informing. Also in his Report accompanying the Returns it would be useful if he would devote a few lines to the trade conditions of the principal districte, instead of dealing only with the traffic as a whole without discriminating as to the origin or destination of the exports or imports.
The China Gazette of the 10th September says:-The C. P. R. steamer Empress of Japan. coming up to Woosung to-day took the ground at the Kiutoan flat, but backed off with the rising tide shortly afterward, and floated with- out any trouble. The tender Victoria had in consequence a longer voyage than usual to fetch out as far as the Kiutoan lightship for the pur- up the Empress passengers, having to go
pose. Amongst those who came up to Shanghai from the big mail steamer was H.E. Han, Chinese Minister to St. Petersburg, who is returning from his post.
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