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“...another fact to be noticed with regard to mills in Japan—the fact
that latterly they have been spinning yarn of superior quality
than before, and that in consequence of this only fine qualities
of cotton are bought and inferior kinds are becoming very
difficult to sell. The bulk of " spot" cotton which had been
imported during 1907 being mostly of inferior quality, prices Avere
very low, with the result that stocks remained on the hands of
importers for a considerable length of time, mills not caring to
buy unless at heavy sacrifices to holders. Towards the middle of
the year prices declined slightly but soon became firm again, the
financial struggle in America and the low rates ruling there, having
little or no effect on Indian staples. Prices of Bengal ruled low
as compared with other Indian grades owing to the crop in this
district being comparatively large, but the cotton being of inferior
grade and not suitable for the requirements of mills in Japan, a
scanty business was done. About...”
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“...firms
to compete. Thus it has happened that foreign firms have gradually
dropped out. However, owing to financial conditions in Japan
at the present time, the Japanese banks are no longer able—or one
should say willing—to afford these facilities to importers, and there
would appear to be no reason why foreign banks should not again
step in and reap the advantage which this restriction of facilities
on the part of the Japanese banks gives them. In justice to some
of the Japanese cotton spinning mills it must be said that some
of them are now well known and established on a firm basis, and
have, moreover, the best directorate which the Japanese financial
and industrial world can provide.
Piece-goodsi—During 1907 the imports of the leading articles
showed a decline in quantity as compared with the previous year,
and the business on the whole was not entirely satisfactory. The
year opened in the midst of a great and almost unprecedented boom,
the speculative fever running very high; prices of...”
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“...higher prices.
Woollen and worsted yarns.—The trade in woollen and worsted
yarns has been good, the importation for 1907 being a record;
these include not only coating yarns but also hosiery and fancy
yarns, British and Continental, the prospects for which appear to
be good.
Tops, noils and waste.—The demand for tops, noils and waste
continues good; the first-named are mainly of French combing,
the Bradford top not receiving the attention it deserves, especially
as it is considered by the Tokio mills to be the more satisfactory
of the two. The price of the native manufactured mousseline
having advanced during the year, orders for tops were on a larger
scale.
Raw wool.—In raw wool a satisfactory turnover is again to be
recorded ; the bulk conies direct from Australia. In this connec-
tion it is to be remarked that there is not a combing plant in Japan,
all the wool imported being carded and spun into woollen yarns
by admixture with shorter material.
Metals.—The year 1907 has been a black...”
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“...Hokkaido Tanko
Company, &c., can be seriously considered as being able to cope
with all the requirements. The tonnage of imports will probably
be maintained in the coming year, and Japan will obtain her require-
ments at considerably lower prices than those paid last year.
Spinning machinery.—Besides the increase in this line noted under
the heading of " Machinery," orders for 500,0002. to be delivered
in 1908 appear to have been placed. It is supposed that for some
time to come Japanese spinning mills will be content with the
extensions so far decided upon and provided for.
Motors (marine).—This subject was gone into at some length
in last year's report and appears to have been taken some notice of.
It will perhaps be useful to let British marine motor builders,
know that the Japanese builders certainly cannot compete with
them in fineness of finish or working, or exactitude of parts ; on
the other hand, their engines—roughly made but, as was pointed
out in the report for 1906, serving the...”
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“...latter is suitable to a certain extent. Schooners of
59 tons upwards seem most to need motors to help them get through
the inland sea. The manufacturers must, of course, expect their
machines to be imitated, but they need have no fear—so long as
the price is only moderately higher—that the Japanese-made motor
can successfully compete. Nor do the local manufacturers pretend
to do that; " hakurai," i.e., the imported article, is always preferred.
Flour.—The establishment and improvement of flour mills in
Japan account for a decrease in this import of 52,198L as compared
with 1906.
Sugar.—The import of raw sugar from Netherlands India shows
a marked decrease. The sugar industry in Japan is, however, in a
flourishing condition. There is talk of its being made into a Govern-
ment monopoly, though the latest political developments do not
quite favour the accomplishment of this plan.
Exports from Kobe.—A very brief summary will suffice to deal
with this branch of the trade so far as the United...”
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“...considerably, and
the year closed with prices touching the lowest rates recorded for
several years past.
Notwithstanding the depression in trade which has been
severely felt throughout the country during the year, the position
of mills closed in a healthy state, owing to their having worked
on contracts made several months ahead during the previous year
at good profits. Inquiries from some of the large consuming
markets, as well as for local demand, which during 1906 enabled
the mills to book ahead, were conspicuous by their absence during
1907, with the result that- towards the close of the year outlets
for the output of yarn became restricted and the mills were unable
to sell much for forward delivery. The indications at the close
of the year show that only few mills have contracts for as much as
two months forward. The heavy output has caused an accumu-
lation of stocks, and the absence of local demand and the small
export due to the fall of silver do not tend to relieve the strained
conditions...”
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“...Osaka (for details see Annex 5)
in 1907 amounted to 3,514,8972., being an increase of 975,1922.
over 1906 and .1,664,217?. over the average of the preceding five
jrears.
Raw cotton.—The most noticeable feature of the trade was the great
increase in the importation of raw cotton, as predicted in previous
reports, amounting to 883,4192. as against 184,2532. in 1906, an
increase of 699,1662., four-fifths coming from China and one-tenth
from British India. A number of the more important spinning
mills being located at Osaka, this tendency is only natural. The
Japanese Cotton Spinners' Union has contracts with both the Japan
Mail Steamship Company and through the latter with the Peninsular
and Oriental and other foreign lines, to carry the material between
India and Osaka direct.
Cereals.—In these there was also a notable increase of nearly
500,0002. as compared with 1906, the import for 1907 amounting to
769,8592., in which rice (almost entirely from Korea) figures for
574,2262.
Metals.—In...”
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“...yarns...... 911,555 492,498
Grey shirtings...... 404,247 174,122 But a decrease compared
with last year of 48,785/.
Coppor refined...... 550,554 147,317/. in 1906
Metals (various) 153,234
Sundries—
Clothing and apparel 320,936
Drugs and ohemieals 100,484
Glass... ...... 105,886
Paper and paperware 169,147
Others ...... 1,500,000
* Over the average of the last five years.
Cotton yarns.—The export of yarns deserves special notice as
illustrating the activity of the spinning mills. As competing with
European spinnings of cotton yarns 550,000?. worth went to China
and 240,000?. worth to Korea.
Cotton piece-goods.—Of these 580,000?. worth went to China
and nearly 500,000?. to Korea. In these lines it will be observed
what an important position Osaka occupies as the source of supply
of these goods to her next door neighbours. The total exports to
China amounted to rather over 3,500,000?. and those to Korea
to 1,700,000?. The latter only showed an increase in 1907 on the
previous...”
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“...of Osaka (for details see Annex 5)
in 1907 amounted to 3,514,897?., being an increase of 975,1922.
over 1906 and 1,664,217?. over the average of the preceding five
years.
Raw cotton.—The most noticeable feature of the trade was the great
increase in the importation of raw cotton, as predicted in previous
reports, amounting to 883,419?. as against 184,253?. in 1906, an
increase of 699,166?., four-fifths coming from China and one-tenth
from British India. A number of the more important spinning
mills being located at Osaka, this tendency is only natural. The
Japanese Cotton Spinners' Union has contracts with both the Japan
Mail Steamship Company and through the latter with the Peninsular
and Oriental and other foreign lines, to carry the material between
India and Osaka direct.
Cereals.—In these there was also a notable increase of nearly
500,000?. as compared with 1906, the import for 1907 amounting to
769,859?., in which rice (almost entirely from Korea) figures for
574,2261.
Metals.—In...”
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“...Cotton yarns ... 911,555 492,498
Grey shirtings...... 404,247 174,122 But a decrease compared with last year of 48.785Z.
Copper refined... 550,554 147.317Z. in 1906
Metals (various) 153,234
Sundries—
Clothing and apparel 320,936
Drugs and ohemicals 100,484
Glass... ...... 105,886
Paper and paperware 169,147
Others ...... 1,500,000
* Over the average of the last five years.
Cotton yarns.—The export of yarns deserves special notice as
illustrating the activity of the spinning mills. As competing with
European spinnings of cotton yarns 550,000?. worth went to China
and 240,000?. worth to Korea.
Cotton piece-goods.—Of these 580,000?. worth went to China
and nearly 500,000?. to Korea. In these lines it will be observed
what an important position Osaka occupies as the source of supply
of these goods to her next door neighbours. The total exports to
China amounted to rather over 3,500,000?. and those to Korea
to 1,700,000?. The latter only showed an increase in 1907 on the
previous...”
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