| 1 |
 |
“...with other centres and its own hinterland, which is not
of the most productive.
Kushiro.—This port has little trade beyond timber exports.
There was at one time a doubt as to whether it should be maintained
as an open port, but, thanks to improved transport facilities both by
rail and sea, and the development of the surrounding districts, it has
made steady progress and its prospects are bright. Its trade in 1913
shows an increase of 49,538?. over 1912 and 103,368?. over 1911.
Timber to the value of 156,090?. was exported in 1913.
Aomori has little trade, but for the import of kerosene oil (64,420?.
in 1913), due to the establishment in the neighbourhood of storage
depots of the Rising Sun Petroleum and Standard Oil companies.
The surrounding country suffered severely from famine owing to failure
of 1913 crops, and there is reason to fear that it will take some time
to recover from the blow thus struck at one of the poorest parts of
Odomari.—Owing to the generally undeveloped state of...”
|
|
| 2 |
 |
“...middlemen in this trade and, though there are occasional efforts
to displace them, they seem to hold their ground.
Agricultural produce.—The surplus of oats grown for home
consumption (and mostly purchased for army use) is exported to
Asiatic Russia. Onions and apples are also exported to Asiatic
Russia, the latter to the value of 37,2602. in 1913. With the exception
of apples, most crops suffered from bad weather in 1913.
Manufactures.—There are few manufactures, and little immediate
prospect of their growth, the Hokkaido and Saghalien being still in
early stages of development.
Timber is the chief export, and one of the important sources of
wealth in the district. The value of exports in 1913 was as follows :—
To-
Lumber, Planks and
Boards.
Sleepers for Railways.
Cubic feet. £ Cubic feet. £
China G,230,810 170,527 4,629,810 131,446
Kwantung 1,344,240 43,692 890,050 28,469
United States ... 1,558,020 80,500 757,030 25,901
Australia 1,010,860 38,012
United Kingdom 367,810 16,264 9,570...”
|
|
| 3 |
 |
“...felling and
transport to the seaboard represents the greater part of the value on
shipment. At the close of 1913 first-class oak logs were worth from
Is. to Is. 2d. per cubic foot f.o.b. at Hokkaido ports. There is a
prospect of some increase in shipments to the United Kingdom. A
trial shipment (for Government railways) was made to India in 1913,
and more is to be sent in 1914. With regard to the figures in the
foregoing table (based on customs returns), they probably understate
to a large extent the amount and value of exports. Consular invoices
for the United States account for at least 50 per cent, more than the
figures for that country, and there is reason to believe that nearly
all exports are similarly undervalued.
Mention should be made of an indirect timber export, in the shape
of match splints. These are sent to the factories at Osaka and Hiogo,
and there is an annual export from Japan of matches to the value of
about 1,200,000?. The splints are chiefly made from Hokkaido
timbers...”
|
|
| 4 |
 |
“...■'12
HAKODATE.
by reason of the excessive crop, prices in London dropped from a
maximum of 11. 7s. per lb. for crystals to a minimum of 7s. 6d. per lb.
In this, and several other instances, ignorance of the conditions
prevailing on foreign markets, and a lack of organisation among
growers, .combined with somewhat ambitious notions of profit, may
perhaps be traced as the causes of failure.
Fisheries.—The fisheries of the Hokkaido are of an estimated value
of 1,300,000?. per annum. In addition to the large export of marine
produce to China mentioned above, there is an export of the
following :—
Tinned crabs, which are produced in the Nemuro district and
Saghalien, being sent to Yokohama and other ports for re-shipment
abroad. The total export from Japan in 1913 was 324,500 dozen,
valued at 149,915?., chiefly to the United States, though consignments
have been sent to almost all countries. This trade has suffered recently
from reckless catching and falling-off in quality. Attracted by...”
|
|
| 5 |
 |
“...the progress made with
Hokkaido harbour works, and at the last session of the Diet the
Government were asked to explain certain delays and changes of plans,
in particular with regard to Rumoe and Kushiro.
Korean trade.—For geographical and political reasons, the trade
with Korea is separated from ordinary foreign trade in official Japanese
returns. The trade of this Consular district with Korea is small, the
only items of importance being the export of railway sleepers to the
value of 36,785?., and lumber to the value of 10,000?. in 1913....”
|
|
