It Is refreshing to be able to record a recovery in trading in, tea:
1992-3 some 65,000 half chests of Black Tea were exported against 180,000 half chests in 1931-2 but in 1933-4 we exported some 150,000 half chests—a_ very welcome increase Which we trust will be maintained in_ 1034-5, The improvement was largely due to an agreement reached by the Tex Exporting Countries of the Middle East whereby a restriction of Exports came into force on Ist April 3083: as is usual in such circumstances the prices For the finer grades declined to some extent and were considerably below prices pald in 1931-2 but this was more than counterbalanced by the larger offtake and enhanced profits on lower grades.
Belek: The demand for this grade now almost entirely confined to Green Brick, Price are very nearly fat bedrock in view of of the cost transport and labour. ment Repercussi developments in the U.S.A. zo not without effect on the export trade from China, During April-Suly, active demand from abroad for various commodities not only brought 'a welcome increase in the volume of business, particularly in wood-all, but algo a mUch-needed improvement in fArstcost prices, which reached their peak in June-July, Unfortunately, mainly as a result of higher silver and exchange, these better first-cost prices could not be maintained and they partly declined again to a rious extent, as will be seen from the following comparison of prices! ruling at the end of June and at the end of December.
June 1983 Dee. 1989 Sexamum seed (per picul) 8 10. $6, Woodoll" (per plout) 238° 23:20 Gatinuts (per plout). 3k 2650 Chinagrass (per picul) 2950 23 'Antimony Regulus. (per tom) ce om. 'Antimony' 'Crude' iner Antimony io (per i fe 00, General Charges will be noted that, with the exception of Sesamum "Seed, the above are all commodities of which China Is the main supplier to the world markets, and it is therefore al! the more disappointing that prices could not be maintained.
Before dealing with the individual Hankow export commodities, ret erence should be made to the fairly peaceful conditions existing in the Provinces supplying this market with their products, as well as to the fact the Hankow Peking Railway hat been working with little interruption throughout the year. Communtcatfor with many parts of the interior has been further improved and accelerate? through the maintenance of air-mail services and the construction of new highways. Mention should also be made of the abandonment, early in the year, of the "Tael" as official currency' and_ the introduction, of a "Standard Silver Dollar, whilst for the coming year, the ado than of the metric system of measurcments and weights is contemplated.
rps harvested during the generally been good, both in regard to quality and quantity, with the exception of horse-beans and Tung nuts, the 1993 crops of which have been below normal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.