1 |
|
“...year
1907 amounted, according to the returns published in the Kwantung
Government - General Official Gazette, to 7,691,671?., divided as
follows :—
How far these figures as a whole are to be relied upon is difficult
to determine; but there is no doubt that the sum of 3,772,97-3?.
appearing under the heading of machinery in the table of imports
is not even approximately correct. The greater part of the
machinery which arrived at this port during the year was destined
for the use of the South Manchuria Railway Company, and as it
did not begin to reach Dairen in any appreciable quantities till
just about the time when the Imperial Chinese customs opened, it
may fairly be assumed that the real value of this particular item
is much nearer 526,844?., the final figure given in the customs
tables, than 3,881,112?. given in the customs Official Gazette.
The error would appear, however, to have occurred originally in
a quarter beyond the control of the compiler of the Official Gazette
returns.
The...”
|
|
2 |
|
“...4
DAIREN.
Bean cakes (479,027Z.).—The bean crop of 1906, put on the
market at the end of that year and during the first half of 1907,
was about 30 per cent, below the normal yield. This was probably
due to the then still unsettled state of affairs in Manchuria.
Stocks in Japan, when the season opened, were large, it being
estimated that at Kobe there were 350,000 cakes, at Yokkaichi
150,000 and at Tokyo and Yokohama 100,000. Consequently, not-
withstanding the reported shortage in this part of China, prices on
the Japan market kept comparatively low.
In March and April, however, as stocks ran short, prices
gradually crept up, and the December, 1906, Manchurian quotations
of 1 yen to 1 yen 5 sen rose to 1 yen 35 sen, and remained at that
figure till the end of the season.
Purchases made in the interior came down to Dairen very
slowly owing to the lack of railway transport accommodation and
the result was that shippers here were seriously inconvenienced,
some indeed suffering heavy losses...”
|
|
3 |
|
“...destined mainly for the consumption of the Japanese resident in
the leased territory or in Manchuria proper, and are of no particular
interest to the foreign merchant.
Flour (143,048?.).—Flour comes almost entirely from the United
States, neither the Australian nor the Canadian product having so
far attempted to dispute the existing monopoly. Yet the experi-
ment is worth making, for the market is a good one.
Harbin flour.—Harbin flour, inferior to the American probably
in colour only, is occasionally seen, but it has not succeeded yet in
winning the favour of the Chinese, apparently because it is not as
white as the other, and no steps are taken to force it on the market
by underselling.
For the following remarks on the flour trade during the past
year I am indebted to a prominent merchant.
Flour market of 1907.—During the whole of 1907 importa-
tions failed to satisfy the demand in South Manchuria. This was
simply because the United States market prices were so much above
the average...”
|
|
4 |
|
“...obtained by the South Manchuria
Railway Company for the re-construction of its lines or for use
in its workshops or in its coal mines. The demand is special
in its present dimensions and will show a lalling-ofE when all the
orders at present in course of execution are completed.
Cigarettes and cigars (49,783Z. ?).—The import of cigarettes into
Manchuria is a matter which lias of late considerably exercised
the minds of the Japanese, who look with alarm at the energy and
success with which foreign cigarettes are competing with those
of the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau.
British-American Tobacco Company's manufactures.—Of the
various kinds on the market, numbering among them British-
American, Russian and Egyptian, the first-named are the most
• serious rivals of all. Manufactured by the British-American
Tobacco Company, a corporation which in addition to having at
its disposal a very large capital, employs able and energetic agents ;
these cigarettes are to be found all over Manchuria. They are as
cheap...”
|
|
5 |
|
“...DAIREN.
7
Japanese piece-goods.—-That Japanese piece-goods have made
great headway in Manchuria, seems, even when due allowance
is made for over-statement, obvious from a lengthy report which
appeared in October of 1907 in the columns of the " Osaka Asahi
Shimbun." In this article it was stated that certain Japanese
mills, acting in combination, had been able, with the assistance
of the Government and the active co-operation of a Japanese firm, to
destroy in the short space of 18 months (February, 1906, to July,
1907) the monopoly up till then enjoyed by American fabrics.
Special bank facilities appear to have been given the amalgamated
mills and specially low steamship rates obtained for the carriage
of their manufactures from Japan, the net result being that
American imports into Manchuria in this particular line fell to
6,000 bales during the period in question, while the Japanese on
the other hand increased to over 29,000 bales.
Shipping.—The following table shows the number and...”
|
|
6 |
|
“...Pulianten (for goods
going into or coming from Manchuria by rail), Petsiwo, Lushutun
and, in December, Port Arthur. The regulations governing the
customs are provisional and will be subjected to revision in 1908.
The following table shows the amount of duties collected
from July, 1907, till the end of December :—
£
Import ... 10,537
Export ... 12,251
Coast trade 82
Total 22,870
Wharf tonnage, dues abolished.—With the enf orcement in October
last of the South Manchuria Railway Company's new regulations
with regard to the Dairen Wharf all tonnage dues were abolished.
Population.-—The population of this port at the end of the year
was 21,074, divided as follows :—
Chinese ... 4,842
Japanese; 16,180
.Foreigners 52
Total 21,074
British firms.—There are at present four British firms established
in this port.
Dairen a feeding port for Manchuria proper.—It should be borne
in mind that the chief function of this port is that of feeder to
Manchuria proper and that, therefore, the greater part...”
|
|