Tue import trade of 1898 was in value the largest on record, and has increased in twelve years by 145 per cent, or is nearly 24 times as large as it was in 1886. "It is evident that a country which can increase its purchases at' such a rate is finding trade advantageous." There was an increase even in the import of Indian
than it appears, for though only opium, and it was really much larger 52,325 piculs passed though the Customs at the treaty ports, the import at Hongkong and the treaty ports together was 60,506 piculs. Mr. Taylor adds It may be interesting to note that morphia, which in the form of subcutaneous injections is being more and more used us cheap substitute for opium, is imported in annually increasing quantities. In 1804 an import of 48,324 ounces was recorded, and by 1898 the import hnd stenchly creased to 92,159 ounces. This trade is not one to be encouraged, cither from a revenue or any other point of view.
Mr. Taylor's remarks on cotton goods, woollens, metals, and sundries are worth quoting in full The value of the trade in cotton piece goods has remained practically stationary for three years, having been Hk. Tls. 79,243,431 in' 1896," Hk. Tls. 78,663,280 in'1897, and Hk. Tls. 77,618,824 in' 1898. These' figures show a slight tendency towards decline, but it must be remembered that in 1895 the value was only Hk. Tis.
58,074,164. There are
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.