A Big Drop on 1919: Japanese Boycott: Fewer Vessels Cleared In his annual Trade Return for Hankow, dealing with the year 1920, Mr. R. A. Currie, the Commissioner of Customs, says that the year wag a disappointing one. It opened with trade in a decidedly promising condition; the previous year had been a very satisfactory one and business was resumed with greater activity and terest than.usual. A good fall of snow at the proper season relieved anxiety concerning the wheat and bean crops, large quantities of foreign goods were imported during the March quarter, and a prosperous year's trading was anticipated, but, during the next few months, difficulties began to appear. The fair promise of the beginning of the year "as not maintained and gave way to increasing stagnation of business during the latter half, owing principally t6 the fluctuations of exchange and military disorders in the neighbouring provinces, The' result of the year's working showed a net value of the trade of the port of Hk. Tls. 169,951,530, less by over 30 million taels than that for 1919, but still some 4] millions better than in 1918. The first setback to business was the sudden drop in the prices of cotton yarn early in May, which resulted in the bankruptey of two large local firms and many smaller ones which had carried excessive stocks on Speculation. Money became very tight, as traders were unwilling to risk transactions, and business general was greatly affected. The boycott against Japanese goods was carried on during the year,: but was not nearly so stringent as in many other ports. The students who were fomenting it were obliged to drov their mass meetings and turn their energies into the less Objectionable channel of exhorting everyone to support native industries by buying only Chinese made coeds, in consequence of the provincial authorities threatening to take severe measures in dealing with the boycott movement.
Several new enterprises were started during the year, and many fine new buildings have been erected or are in course of building. Among the new buildings completed during the year, the new and palatial premises of the Hongkone & Shanghai Rank are the most striking, occupying as they do" commanding situation on the Bund.
Revence Hate a Mittiox Dowy.
The total revenue collection under all headings amounted to Hk. Tls. 3,671,003, or more than half a. million taels less than in 1919. Import duties for the year were the highest on record and showed an increase of over a quarter of a million taels over the previous year's figures, owing to the large importations of foreign goods at the beginning of the ve7 when trade prospects were bright but all other headings showed decreases, the loss on export duties alone being more than three-quarters of a million taels.
The total number of vessels entered and cleared showed a decrease of 5,675, solely. due to the smaller number of chartered junks employed during the year, owing to the disturbed conditions in Hunan. 294 ocean steamers visited the port, among them being 161 vessels which loaded direct for Japan.
The value of foreign goods imported from foreign countries and Hongkong amounted to 42.92 million Haikwan taels, and from Chinese ports to 28,54 millions, showing a gross increase of over six million taels as compared with the figures for 1919. To the above total, piece goods contributed 18.7 millions; foreign metals, 8.2 millions: sugar, 5.8 millions; kerosene 01 5 millier machinery and Tailway materials, 4.3 millions; and Sundries, 28.97 millions. The value jof the goods re-exported was 12.72 million Haikwan taels, which, deducted from the total value of foreign imports, 71.46 millions, leaves a net total of 58.74 million taels.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.