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“...HARBIN.
5
The increased import of flour is explained by the shortage of the local
wheat crop in 1911. It is satisfactory to be able to report that the
increase in cotton manufactured goods marks a development of the
importation of cotton cloths, &c., manufactured by the British-owned
mills in Shanghai, though increases are also recorded in cotton goods
of Russian origin. By far the largest increase in the import of manu-
factures of iron and steel is in plant and materials for the Chinese
Eastern Railway.
Openings for British trade.—There can, I fear, be no doubt that
for varying causes the year 1912 has failed to come up to the bright
expectations entertained for the commercial prosperity of the Con-
sular district of Harbin. That the country is possessed of enormous
natural resources in agriculture, forestry and minerals is beyond
all doubt, but it is, unfortunately, the fact that the Chinese are
exceedingly slow to appreciate the value of modern mechanical and
scientific aids to the...”
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“...8
HARBIN.
advantage of absolute freedom from tubercular germs. The residue
of the soya bean, after the oil has been extracted, is converted into
bean cake, used principally as fodder for cattle and as a fertiliser.
Other important raw products are millet, wheat (the bulk of which
is converted into flour in the many Russian flour mills situated in
the district), hemp seed, other cereals employed in the manufacture
of beer, vodka and other spirits, beetroot, tea, timber and lumber.
Out of the vast forest regions of North Manchuria only some 4,200
square miles are at present being worked by Russians as timber con-
cessions, some 13,000 labourers, Chinese and Russian in the propor-
tion of about two to one, being employed in the industry.
A movement is now on foot for the formation of a Chinese society
for the development of this industry throughout Manchuria, but
there seems little hope of a welcome being afforded to the sinking of
foreign capital in the proposed venture.
The chief m...”
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