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“...Cotton yams,
of cotton yarn in 1902 was less than one-third of that of 1901. In
1903 it was less than half that of 1902, the values being 78,225?.
as compared with 178,429?. In the early part of the year, owing to
an outbreak of plague at the Tokio gassed yarn mill, there was
temporarily some activity in the sales of the imported article, and
there was again a momentary spurt in June, but during the greater
part of the period under review the market was lifeless. With the
output of the native mills annually increasing, there is no reason to
expect any substantial revival in this trade which was formerly such
an important item in the United Kingdom's trade with Japan. It
is only in certain qualities of yarn, such as 16's to 24's, used for
threadmaking or other special purposes, that business in British
yarns will in future be done with Japan.
The subjoined table will show how completely the conditions of
the yarn trade have changed in recent years :
Year.
Value.
Imports.
1894
1895
1896
1897...”
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“...pared with 1902, importers would seem to have had difficulty in
disposing of even the reduced quantity at satisfactory prices. The
prospects of this branch of the import trade are not promising ; the
native manufacturers are improving and up to the best 9 lbs., the
locally-made shirtings compete successfully with the Lancashire
article. As has already been the case with cotton yarns, the latter
is likely to he displaced as time goes on and capital is forthcoming for
the extension of the native mills.
In white shirtings and prints British trade has not yet begun to
feel the stress of Japanese competition ; the imports, however, for
the year under review, owing to high Manchester prices, show a
marked decline, especially in the case of white shirtings. Notwith-
standing the reduced imports the market appeared to be over-stocked
during the greater part of the year.
Business has been equally unsatisfactory in cotton satteens and
velvets, importers and dealers finding difficulty in disposing of...”
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“...one in Japan. It was used formerly
almost exclusively for confectionery, but it is now coming into
general use as an article of diet. Native wheat is a failure so far
as regards bread-making, though it is hoped that Hokkaido will
in time produce something better. The imported flour comes
almost exclusively from the United States, though last year
Canada shared in the trade to the extent of 19,000?.
Wheat. Owing to the failure of the native wheat crop, wheat had to be
imported to keep the flour mills running. The amount imported
was valued at 487,000?., as compared with 24,000?. in 1902. China,
the United States and India shared in the trade to the extent of
227,000?., 176,000?., and 75,000?. respectively.
Sugar. Sugar was imported to the value of 2,140,282?., as against
1,476,924?. in 1902. This large increase was entirely in raw sugar,
for which there has been an active market throughout the year. In
this trade the Dutch Indies have had by far the largest share, as will
be seen from the...”
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