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“...1913 as against 43,100?. in 1912.
Sugar.—The failure of the 1912 Formosan sugar crop necessitated
considerable purchases of raw sugar from Java in 1913. Nor does
there seem much prospect of immediate improvement for the unfor-
tunate consumer compelled to pay both import duty and consumption
tax on the imported article when refined, as the 1913 Formosan crop
was scarcely more than half a normal one. Meanwhile, favoured by
the rebate of import duty on the refined sugar when exported, the
Osaka mills were able to send 126,200?. worth to China as against
87,900?. in 1912.
t Morphine.—The. sudden increase in the import of morphine is
more apparent than real. Until 1913 this article has been placed in
the customs returns under "Parcel post." At the same time the
amount has also grown. Some portion of it appears to find its way
into Corea and China....”
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| 2 |
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“...of 483,000?. went to India, a figure which is
77,000?. in excess of the 1912 total.
European clothing.—The export of European clothing to China,
which amounted to over 50,000?. in 1912, proved to be only of a tem-
porary nature. The fashion for foreign clothing which started with
the revolution appears to have lost its force, and the demand for
uniforms has ceased. The market for hats and boots appears to be
more constant.
Cotton spinning industry.—The total consumption of cotton by
Japanese mills in 1913 and preceding years is shown by the following
table:—
Prom—
1911.
1912.
1913.
India
United States
China
Egypt
Other countries
Tons.
131,600
49,400
48,700
6,000
2,600
Tons.
162,700
94,700
14,000
6,700
3,100
Tons.
192,100
89,700
20,600
7,400
5,200
Total...
238,300
281,200
315,000 ■
(625)...”
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| 3 |
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“...bales
at the latter date. That the mills were able to dispose of this increased
output at an ample margin of profit was due partly to the flourishing
state of the China trade, which absorbed much of the increase in the
form either of yarn or of textiles, and partly to the stimulus to the
weaving industry caused by the high tariff. It is to be noted that
with few exceptions weaving is done by combined spinning and weaving
mills.
Considerable as was the expansion in the spinning industry in 1913,
it was not as great as was at one time anticipated. One or two
schemes which had not materialised were shelved, while considerable
delay occurred in the fulfilment of many of the orders for machinery
placed in 1912. Much of the machinery is coming forward now,
and it is expected that the number of spindles in operation by the end
of 1914 will be 2,824,000.
Future prospects.—Unless conditions favour the spinning industry,
it is hardly to be expected that the mills can-continue such profits
as they...”
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| 4 |
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“...increased export at the
expense of the Japanese consumer.
These factors, combined with the general depression in trade
circles, make a somewhat gloomy total. On the other hand, the mills
have enjoyed two very prosperous years, and generally are so soundly
situated financially as to enable them to face possible future troubles
with comparative equanimity. The home demand for cotton goods
appears to increase in spite of bad times, while the possibilities of
expansion in the China trade are great. That a temporary glut may
be caused by the present extensions is probable, and curtailed working
hours may become necessary for a time, but this would be no new
experience to the mills. As regards the different questions connected
with labour, it is generally admitted that the treatment- of operatives
in the leading mills has improved of recent years and, as far as can be
gathered, the change has not been attended with loss to the com-
pany's concern, rather with gain. It may be added that while these...”
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