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“...has
been a steady decrease dating from the commencement of railwajr
construction in Tonkin, the opening, under the Burma Convention
of 1897, of the West River and finally, the opening by the French
of Kwangchouwan as a free port in 1898. Pakhoi has been unable to
contend with these powerful and permanent rival routes. Years
ago prognostications were made as to the impending ruin of Pakhoi's
trade, and for as many years there has been much talk of the con-
struction of a railway connecting with Nanning on the West River
to avoid it, but nothing has ever been done. Had such a railway
been built when originally contemplated it would by now have been
a paying concern, and would have done much to civilise and develop
the hinterland of Pakhoi.
Almost the whole of the increase in the import trade of
-58,4062. took place in the first half of the year, more especially
during the first quarter, when the up-country districts were
practically in a settled state and transport was fairly secure. A
noteworthy...”
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