FO371-23515 — Page 152

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HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CONFIDENTIAL Not for Publication.

REPORT ON SHIPPING AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, 28th JULY, 1939.

SHIPPING.

291

Freight market remains lifeless and no fixtures reported. Enquiries received were for rice, Saigon/Indian ports; Saigon/ West Africa; Saigon/Peru; alse for coal, Hongay/the Straits and Calcutta/Hong Kong. Charterers are taking advantage of conditions on China Coast and glut of tonnage to depress rates; an example is Hongay/Hong Kong for coal, the rate for which is now HK$2 as against $31 a fortnight a go.

As regards the China Coast, and so far as concerns British shipping, trade is at a stand still. Cargo continues to move in good quantity but, due to Japanese influence, such is confined to carriage by non-British tonnage This discrimination is openly practised at Chefoo, Weihaiwei and Tsingtau, where the Japanese Naval Missions frankly refuse permits to shippers for shipment by British lines. Confi ma ti on has been received that even Norwegian steamers chartered by German interests are given special privileges to the detriment of British Companies. At Tientsin the regular British lines made arrangemen ts for steamers to load at wharves outside the Concession areas; this worked successfully for a short period, since when the Japanese military, by direct interference and ruthless intimidation of lightermen, have caused a virtual boycott of British tonnage. It was hoped the recent Anglo- Japanese Agreement would result in a settlement of conditions, but this pious hope is far from materialising, due to the in- dependent action and attitude of the Japanese military in North China, also the increased activity of the Japanese sponsored anti-British boycott. An "Exchange" control has been instituted at Tientsin, effective 17/7/39, which enables Japanese Authorities to govern the movement of cargo; this is exemplified by the fact that whilst ample exports offer, two British coasters on the berth were forced to leave in ballast whilst Japanese and non-Bri ti sh vessels left with practically full cargoes.

Regarding Southern China ports, the activities of the Japanese Navy have, by direct action and closing of approaches by mining certain areas, caused practical ly a complete cessation of trade. The Canton River was officially closed on 24th July, 1939:

the reason, as reported, being that the Japanese intended to deal with Shameen, etc., on similar lines to Tientsin.

Support from Pakhoi is fair, whilst that from Hoihow is

negligible.

1

J

SHIPBUILDING & REPAIRS.

(Please refer to the following particulars supplied by the two leading Dockyards):-

NEW BUILDING AT TAIKOO DOCKYARD, HONG KONG.

(Details under this heading unchanged from previous

report.)

VESSELS AT TAIKOO DOCKYARD FOR REPAIRS, ETC.

Week ending 26th July, 1939,

8.8. "Tunni “

H.M.S. "Tarantula "

m.v.

8.S.

"Dardanus *

8.8. "Nord" 8.8.

m.v.

8.8.

"Chinese Prince" "Sai On"

m.v.

"Silver walnut" "Angh un"

s.s. "Anking"

"Titan".

Vessels repaired in Harbour are not included.

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