1 |
|
“...factories in the country and do not take into consideration
what may be called sweated labour. But in spite of these low wages-
and long hours, it is doubtful, in the opinion of competent observers,
whether the amount of work got through does not cost more than
in the United Kingdom or other countries where labour is far dearer.
It must also be remembered that one of the chief characteristics of
Japanese operatives is their love of variety of employment. Although,
of course it occasionally happens in mills where the conditions are
exceptionally good that there is a considerable number of old employes,,
it is generally the case that hands do not stop more than two or three
years in any one place, and thus while time is taken up with the con-
tinual training of newcomers, there is no body of experienced work-
men to fall back upon. Against these disadvantages must be set the
* Since writing the above the duty on Corean rice has been abolished. This,
may have some effect in reducing the cost of Japanese...”
|
|
2 |
|
“...made, because owing to the
high prices of Indian cotton, American middling was relatively cheaper
throughout the year, even though the price showed a steady advance
during the 12 months, opening at about 31. per picul (133£ lbs.) and
closing at 4£. per picul.
The principal causes which led to this large increase were firstly,
that the stocks carried over from 1911 were comparatively small,
and secondly, that the demand for cotton yarns and textiles both in
Japan and China was so good that the mills were able to work full
time and many new spindles and looms were installed, the advance
in the number of working spindles being 280,000 or 15 per cent, and
in looms 2,370 or 12-| per cent.
The imports from Corea still remain quite trifling, only amounting
to 35,0001. worth compared with 25,000Z. in 1911.
Imports of cotton yams.—It is interesting to note that in spite
of the increase in duty, cotton yarns were imported to the value of
64,0001., which is nearly double the amount which came in...”
|
|
3 |
|
“...14 japan.
s-'
domestic production. It is to be feared that in the future there will
only be little business done in grey shirtings and prints, but grey
cambrics will probably continue to be imported for some time to
come.
The increased output of the Japanese mills accounts for a serious
falling-off in cotton prints from 10,000,000 square yards in 1910 to
7,700,000 square yards in 1911, and 2,600,000 square yards in 1912.
Apart from these two items, however, the business has not been
so bad. In white shirtings, Victoria lawns and cotton satins the
figures, although below those of 1911, are well over those of 1910,
and in cotton velvets there has been a considerable increase. The
growth in white shirtings and Victoria lawns is partly ascribable to
the importations made for use in the drawn-work industry. It is not
affected by the duty as a drawback is allowed on the export of the
finished goods. Owing to the change in classification umbrella cloths
are not separately mentioned and are...”
|
|
4 |
|
“...however, changing, and instead of
the bulk of the business passing through the hands of the large import
firms it would appear that there are many Bradford travellers who
now come out and place orders direct with Japanese dealers, and even
with the large tailors. The result is, therefore, that the trade is
beginning to partake more of the nature of retail business, and even
the larger firms are now glad to book orders of even one case, while
orders for 10 cases are exceptional.
The Japanese mills are rapidly increasing their production,
especially in the case of mousseline, in which the extensions planned
have perhaps been on too large a scale unless an export business can
be developed with China. It is interesting to note that some trial
shipments of Japanese mousselines have even been made to the United
Kingdom.
At one time there were rumours of a possible combine of all the
mousseline companies, but this scheme seems to have been knocked
on the head. Another rumour which, however,...”
|
|
5 |
|
“...lighting, traction and mills.
The hydraulic machinery supplied to Japan in recent years for
large undertakings is almost exclusively of German and Swiss manu-
facture, and in one instance only of American. A Swedish firm has
now entered the field, and the general tendency is towards a monopoly
for the European firms, which are three in number. British makers
are unrepresented in large plants.
Pipe lines imported from abroad are practically confined to welded
steel pipes. These pipes have been exclusively of German manufac-
ture, and have so far been the product of two firms.
Riveted steel piping, employed for plants of medium head, is
manufactured in Japan, with, as a rule, imported materials.
In addition to the large undertakings, there are a very great number
of smaller plants, ranging from 100 to 5,000 brake horse-power, from
which power is supplied electrically to the smaller towns for lighting
purposes, &c., and direct to industrial undertakings such as pulp mills,
electro-chemical...”
|
|
6 |
|
“...foreign paints,
now gives its custom mostly to the domestic companies, and all the
railway bridges are painted with Japanese paints.
Imports of rubber and rubber industry.—The imports of raw rubber
remained stationary at about 900 tons, and in rubber manufactures
there was also no great change.
Conditions in this industry have been more normal than during the
two previous years The cost of material has not fluctuated so
violently during the year under review as was previously the case, and
the mills consequently were not exposed to the same losses as they
incurred when compelled to buy material at high prices to meet imme-
diate requirements. The healthier state of the industry has been...”
|
|
7 |
|
“...japan.
29
evidenced by the increase in the number of mills engaged in the
manufacture of mechanical goods, two new mills of moderate size
having been opened in the Tokio district. The mills in general have
been working at their normal capacity, but there has apparently
at no time been any brisk demand necessitating overtime in any of
them.
The nature of the goods produced has not varied. Although some
of the mills have been experimenting in making motor tyres, there
do not appear to be any of Japanese manufacture on the market as
yet. In the electrical department of the industry no development
has been witnessed, and, from recent reports, the mills appear to be
complaining of a shortage of work.
Imports of hides and leather.—There has been a considerable increase
in the import of hides, which under the new tariff are duty free. If it
is remembered also that about 75,0001. worth of hides are imported
from Corea which do not appear in the returns for 1912, it will be seen
that the total...”
|
|
8 |
|
“...and with which her
people have not been familiar, one would suppose that there might be
a considerable opening for the weaving of silk goods other than habutae,
yet the total export of sillcs such as kaiki, satins, taffetas, chiffon,
crapes, ro, mills have been able to work full time, all restrictions being
done away with ; nearly every company has paid increased dividends
and the profits have been so large that, as will be shown further on,
many new companies are being established and extensions of existing
concerns being carried out. This is all the more remarkable inasmuch
as towards the close of 1911 the spinning industry in this country
"was in a very dejected condition on account of the troubles in China
and Government assistance was...”
|
|
9 |
|
“...Daily wage—
Male ... Sen 46-06 48-01
Female... „ 29-70 31-25
The bulk of the yarn spun remains right twist 16's and left
20's, but Japan is gradually going finer. The increase in the Bpindle-
age is rendering it more and more difficult to get cheap labour
and consequently not only have mills had to increase the wages they
pay, but in order to attract hands they have had to make the con-
ditions of employment far better than they were in the past. Another
feature of the development now taking place is that mills are being
erected in those parts of the country where it is hoped a fresh supply
of labour will be available.
The following approximate list of the new mills and extensions
of existing mills, which has been kindly supplied to me by a friend
who is well acquainted with the industry, will doubtless be found of
some interest :—
Idzumi Spinning Company, Limited, Kitahahimori, Osaka-fu :
10,000 weft and 10,000 twist machines ; engine, 800 horse-power.
Handa Cotton Spinning Company...”
|
|
10 |
|
“...40
japan7.
Settsu Spinning Company, Limited, Kidzugawa, Osaka : extension,
5,000 spindles for waste cotton; 500 kilowatts generator. Takada :
23,830 spindles. Ogaki, Nagoya : 23,800 spindles and 560 looms,
now under construction ; hydro-electric power.
Number.
Mills and extensions ... 45
Spindles ............... 750,000
Sets of machines ... ... 10,000
Horse-power............... 7,400
Experts of cotton textiles.—Under the heading of imports it was
shown that there had been an enormous increase, amounting to over
5,590,0002. in raw cotton, and a decrease of some 500,0002. in cotton
piece-goods ; meanwhile, there has been an advance of 1,400,0002.
in exports of cotton yarns, and 600,0002. in cotton textiles, or
2,000,0002. in all. It will be seen, therefore, that even allowing for
the large quantities still in stock, the domestic demand has grown
almost as rapidly as the export business, while Corea, which is not
now included in the foreign trade returns, also accounted for part of...”
|
|
11 |
|
“...JAPAN.
47
The export of paper has been disappointing. One would have
expected the Japanese mills to make a great bid for the China trade,
whereas the figures for printing paper are less than usual, and it is
only in certain special classes of Japanese paper such as " renshi "
that there has been any gain.
The following figures, which are taken from the customs returns,
are given in some details, as I have often been asked what Japan
does with her cotton waste and wool waste :—
Country.
Cotton Waste.
Wool Waste.
Lbs. £ LIjs. £
United Kingdom 517,000 6,000 20,000 250
Franco 220,000 1,400 120,000 5,500
Belgium 1,190,000 10,000
United States 1,376,000 10,000
Other countries 2,770,000 26,600 330,000 2,750
Total 6,073,000 54,000 470,000 8,500
Distribution of trade amongst participating countries.—The following
table gives the shares of the principal countries for 1912 as compared
with 1911. This table includes the figures for Corea and Formosa,
whereas Table 1 (A) and 2 (A), which...”
|
|
12 |
|
“...japan.
59
profits of fire insurance companies to be few and far between. Yet
a merciful Providence seems to watch over the large factories in which
the big amounts are written, because fortunately there has been no
very serious fire since the one in Osaka of 1909, and even then the
section where all the big mills are was not affected. Of small fires
there are plenty, but in a large number of cases the houses are un-
insured.
The new regulations also call for several changes in the conduct
of fire insurance business. The language of the policy question has
already been noted. The deposit for fire (as well as marine) insurance
companies used to be 100,000 yen. Under the new regulations
the minimum deposit remains the same, but if the premium
income exceeds 200,000 yen half of the excess income has also to be
deposited.
There are several other changes, but they are too technical to be
dealt with in a brief review like this. There are 18 Japanese fire in-
surance companies who in 1911 received...”
|
|