In his report on the trade of Lappa for the year 1920 Lt.-Col. Hayley Bell, v.s.o., Commissioner of Customs, points out that the port is merely a barrier, a toll gate for merchandise little of which has its origin or destination there. The value of the trade carried on amounted roughly to 18 million Haikuan taels.
The value of foreign goods imported during the year was Hk. Tls. 12,794,715. This—if past years, when opium figured largely, be excepted—is one of the highest figures on record and represents an increase of more than half as much again as that of 1919. It is practically entirely due to the importations of cotton yarn, of which, in all, nearly 77,000 piculs were taken on transhipment from Hongkong at Macao. This was due partly to the cheapness in the foreign yarn markets and the replenishing of stocks exhausted in the interior during the troubles of the early part of the year, but mainly to the favourable tariff of Lappa.
Among other articles that advanced were iron bars and plate cuttings, also old iron and copper, both largely imported from Hongkong and used in the building of native craft and for melting down. Cement from the Green Island Cement Ca., much of which has been taken for the construction of houses, roads, etc., in Canton and the interior generally, increased from 7,308 to 17,577 piculs, and the increase of 45,000 piculs in the supplies of granite, provided in about equal amounts by Hongkong and Macao, is due to the same cause. Japan coal was imported to the increased amount of some 15,000 tons on the previous year by the many new factories and by the Sunning Railway, the price having fallen since the end of the European War. European flour, obtainable again and preferred, although dearer than the native, has been in great demand. The increase in Japan matches of nearly 67,000 gross over the figures for 1919 is said to be a result of the boycott. An advance of. 180,000 gallons in the importation of kerosene oil is normal increase, due to supplies being easier and the opening of many agencies for the sale up country.
Among articles that declined there has been a great shrinkage in the importation of rice, of over 100,000 piculs. Cotton piece goods declined under almost all headings, and, it is said, will pass Lappa stations in even less quantities in the future.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.