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“...the case. (The average value of the Haikuan tael in
which the customs figures are given was 3s. 3c?., while in 1906 it was
3s. 3icZ.) Nor can it be attributed to the unhealthy inflation of
the import trade caused by the failure of the rice crops and the
consequent import of rice, for less rice by a value of 664,5702. was
imported than in 1906. The increase is entirely in exports. It is
to a limited extent also accounted for by a new valuation, generally
higher, adopted by the customs for 1907. This explains certain
apparent discrepancies in the values given in the tables. Towards
the end of October came the financial panic in the United States
which, coming simultaneously with, the almost unprecedented
drop in silver, completely demoralised trade, especially imports.
It is in the figures for 1908 that the full efEect of these occurrences
will be seen.
Shipping.—The total tonnage entered and cleared was 4,738,564
tons, a decrease of 185,467 tons on 1906. The value of cargo carried,
however...”
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“...about
800, have been closed and that out of some 410 boiled opium shops
existing in 1906 for the supply of opium to private individuals
there are now only 230. The retail price has therefore risen.
Cotton goods and yarn.—Under this heading the total trade has
a value of about 660,000?., an increase of some 54,000Z., nearly the
whole of which is covered, by white shirtings. Grey shirtings
show a small improvement. The high rate of exchange ruling
during the greater part of the year was greatly in favour of foreign
imports. The " slump" in silver towards the close curtailed
business and its effect will doubtless be shown in next year's figures.
Woollens.—As usual woollens are insignificant and have dropped
20 per cent, in value. It is difficult to believe that this branch of
trade has any expansion to look forward to in this hot climate.
The Chinese even in the north have no belief whatever in the
hygienic properties of woollen fabrics.
Kerosene oil.—The total quantity of kerosene oil...”
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“...CANTON.
5
total value of kerosene imported was 341,773?. against 204,193L
A revaluation by the Imperial Maritime Customs of bulk oil accounts
in part for the increase.
Medicines.—Canton took in 1907 a value of 39,000/!. in foreign
medicines, mostly patent, and of 100,000?. in native medicines.
Wines and spirits.—If merely a coincidence, it is curious that
concurrently with the diminution in the consumption of opium
the import of foreign wines and spirits increased by some 20,000L
Deer horns.—Deer horns are imported to a value of 74,324i. They
are divided into three classes :—Ordinary, which are the shed horns
and are only fit for making glue, are worth about Is. per cwt. Deer
horns, old : these are cut from the living or newly killed animal and
are used medicinally. They fetch about 201, per cwt. Deer horns,
young : these come from the North of China. The animals are
killed when the horns are " in the velvet." Porter Smith, in his
Materia Medica of China, says, " The horns of the deer...”
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“...to some extent
moved in sympathy with that for raw silk, though its course has
been less erratic. Heavy contracts and " short" sales made
early in the year and the consequent shortness of available supplies,
together with an unusual demand from the Continent, have kept
prices steady on a very high level on which the long period of
quietude towards the end of the year had little effect.
The export was as follows :—
Silk piece-goods.-—Silk piece-goods show an increase in value of
about 150,000?. and the total export value of silk of all sorts,
including 50,669?. of silk and cotton mixtures, is 6,285,604?. as against
4,747,122?. in 1906, an increase of nearly 1,500,000?.
Matting.—The amount of matting exported differs little from
that in 1906. Qualities were fairly satisfactory and up to last
year's average, but there is great room for improvement. Certain,
grades of reeds were scarce, and higher wages, increased cost of
warp strings and foolish competition rendered the trade unprofit-
able...”
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“...7 CANTON.
irretrievably damaged and weaving sheds washed away. The
year under review has been fairly favourable to foreign exporters,
but the effects of the crisis in America, the chief customer for
matting, will surely show itself in the coming year.
Cassia.—The export of cassia shows an increased value of
70,000?. The quality left much to be desired and unless the natives
realise the necessity of improvement, the trade must suffer and may
possibly be ruined.
Tea.—The export to London of scented capers was only
482,328 lbs., the lowest on record. In 1900 it was 3,571,336 lbs.
and in 1906, 827,383 lbs. There is now nothing in the business
and last shipments barely covered cost. The Australian and South
American demands are now almost satisfied by Chinese shippers and
importers who control the bulk of the trade.
Sundries.—Other exports consisting of firecrackers, canes and
bamboos, blackwood furniture, chinaware, embroideries, curios,
&c., call for no remark.
General remarks.—For many...”
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“...The Chinaman, especially the Southerner, has in him
the making of an excellent mechanic. I have often been astonished
to observe how rapidly he assimilates the necessary knowledge for
working and keeping in order the most complicated machines.
The centres from which manufacturers should work on the above
lines are Tientsin, Shanghai, Hankow and Canton; and nowhere,
I believe, are prospects brighter than in this city.
The import of railway material for the Canton-Hankow Railway
has amounted in value to some 100,000Z. during the year under
review.
The state of coinage in this province for the past year or two
has interfered greatly with its trade and also with that of Hong-
Kong, which is inextricably mixed up with it. Some four or five
years ago the brilliant idea struck a former Viceroy that the minting
of subsidiary coinage offered a ready means of replenishing an
exhausted treasury. He set to work therefore on a vast scale,
with at first most satisfactory results. The inevitable, however...”
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“...Table I.—Eetukn of all Shipping at the Port of Canton (luring the Year 1907.
Entered.
Nationality. Steam. Sailing. Total. Tofcul Value of Cargo.
V(S9ela. Ton?. Vessels. Ton?. Vessels. Tons.
British 2,130 1,604,199 130 22,865 2,260 1,627,364 £ 5,134,404
American .... 28 854 42 13,756 70 14,610 35,618
Corean 1 809 1 8 ;9 1,128
Dutch 8 9,139 8 9,139 70,845
French 374 337,155 374 337,155 772,490
German 55 44,538 27 4,213 82 48,781 268,022
Japanese .... 2R 27,544 26 27,544 97,072
Norwegian .... 47 41,369 47 41,369 213,094
Russian .... .... 8,253
Chinese 1,100 263,391 1,100 263,391 1,082,050
Total „ 1906 3,7(59 3,591 2,329,293 2,437,136 199 53 40,Sfi'l 20,409 3,968 3,647 2,370,162 2,457,515 7,982,977 8,524,541...”
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“...canton.
15
Table IV.—Showing the Total Value of all Articles Exported from
and Imported into Canton from and to Foreign Countries
and Chinese Ports during the Years 1906-07.
Country. Imports. Exports.
1006. 1907. 1906. 1907.
Hong-Kong Macao Tonkin, Annum and Cochin-China........ Dutch Indies Japan, including Formosa United Stales Siam £ 3,993,941 26,561 38,959 18,230 36,-J 54 98,726 60,798 £ 4,096,266 39,926") 368,708 15,304, - 118,210 178,937 | .... j £ 6,474,820 132,365 £ 8,305,816
Total foreign countries „ Chinese ports .... 4,273,669 4,250,872 4,817,351 3,165,626 6,607,185 773,813 8,305,816 798,763
Grand total 8,524,541 7,982,977 7,380,998 9,104,579...”
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