We have before us an "Abstract of Trade and Customs Revenue Statistics," just issued from the Customs Press, which gives valuable and interesting information regarding the progress of trade during the past eight years. We find that the total annual value of the Foreign Trade of China during that period has grown from Tls. 105,300,000 in 1864, to Tls. 158,500,000 in 1872; the increase too has been steadily progressive except in 1867 and 1870—which each show a falling off from the preceding, that was however more than recovered in the following, years. Great Britain alone contributed, in 1872, Tis, 29,185,000 worth of Imports, and took Tls. 43,022,000 of Exports, aggregating nearly half of the grand total and Hongkong and India figure respectively for Tls. 36,700,000 and Tls. 18,900,000 of the remainder. The imports from the United States were only Tls. 410,000 and the exports thither Tls. 13,279,000 during the same period. The continent of Europe only figures for Tls. 5,289,000, and is nearly rivalled by Japan with is. 4,608,000. The number of vessels entered and cleared during 1872 amounted to 17,090, aggregating 8,486,000: tons; showing an increase of 2,127 vessels and 1,100,000 tons over 1871. Eight thousand three hundred and sixty of these ships, measuring 8,954,000 tons were under the British flag; five thousand one hundred and seventy, measuring 8,471,000 tons under the American, and one thousand nine hundred and seventy, measuring 607,900 tons under the German, flag. Seven thousand three hundred and seventy-nine of the total number were sailing ships, and nine thousand seven hundred and eleven steamers. We need, of course, hardly remark that the latter number especially is arrived at by the frequent entry and clearance of the same river and coasting vessels.
The revenue yielded by this immense trade has of course grown correspond. ingly—from Tls. 7,874,000 in 1864 to Tis., 11,678,000 in 1872; and the increase has been progressive except in the case of 1870, which showed a slight falling off from its predecessor. Im. port Duties last year contributed Ts. 3,676,000, Export Duties Ts. 6,939,000, Coast Trade Duties Tls. 549,000, Transit Dues Tls. 270,000, and Tonnages Dues Tls. 242,000 towards the total.
Turning now to the table classifying the several articles of trade, we find the import of Grey Shirtings in 1872 was 4,149,000 pieces valued at Ts, 9,017,000, against 7,824,000 pieces valued at Tls. 15,630,000 in 1871. T-Cloths on the other hand figure for 4,968,000 pieces valued at Tls. 7,453,000, against 4,167,000 pieces valued at Tis. pieces valued at Tls. 3,298,000, against 764,000 pieces valued at Ts. 2,288,000. The total estimated value of Cotton Goods was Tls. 4,400,000 less than in 1871. That of Woollenshardly varied—is. 4,794,000 against Tls. 4,765,000—the increase being entirely attributable to Lustres, which figure for Tls. 1,110,000 against Tls. 899,000; while almost every other kind shows a slight decrease. Metals show an increase of Tls. 1,200,000; Opium an increase of 1,200 peculs, but the estimated value is less. The export of Raw Silk was 63,192 peculs against 55,863; that of Black Tea 1,420,000 peculs against 1,361,000; and that of Green 256,464 pecals against 282,619. These three articles contribute Tls. 71,500,000 of the Tls. 83,000,000 at which the total Export trade is valued.
We are able only to note the leading features of these Returns, which are however replete with interesting information. Tables are, for instance, given showing the value of the direct foreign trade of each port; of the whole trade of each port, and of the revenue of each port; of the net import of Opium into each port, of the export of Tea to each country, and various other detailed information. We will only add, here, that the gross value of the trade of Shanghai in 1872 was Tls. 181,364,000, against Tls. 128,526,000 in 1871, and Tls. 106,425,000 in 1870; and the Revenue it yielded to the Customs, Tis, 3,295,000 against Tls. 3,212,000 in 1871 and Tls. 2,730,000 in 1870.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.