Sept. 5.
Mr, H. D. Billiard, Statistical Secretary of the Chinese Customs, is to be congratulated on the compilation of his report on the country's trade for the year 1929, portions of which are reproduced in the "North-China Daily News" to-day. Editorially it is extremely difficult to comment upon the report, as with the true instinct of the assessor of values, Mr. Billiard has done most of that work himself, Of real interest, however, is to emphasize such a paragraph a8 the following:—It has been noted in the course of this report how trade was hampered the disruption of communications and insecurity due to piracy and brigandage, with the result that in many cases produce could not each the seaboard for shipment abroad and that, when it did arrive, the price was exorbitant and out of all proportion to production costs and China was unable to take advantage of the favourable markets offering for her produce. It is a world-wide maxim that markets once lost, are not so easily regained, and, if China to meet her competitors on equal terms, it ie incumbent on everyone loyally to support the Government artisting. 1 to Introduce. those reforms in inland taxation which the Minister of Finance has demonstrated are necessary for sound ind successful trading conditions ind which the Government xious to see enforced, while systems of transport must be developed and freed from the chain of militarism. Much has already been done, and still more is being attempted, but it cannot be too strongly: emphasized that, while these essentials axe lacking, the vat agricultural and mineral resource of the country, which constitute th foundation of its future strength and independence, will lie to a great Jextent wasted or untouched. Traders and merchants will also do well to organize effective measures to check adulteration, of which frequent complaint is heard on all sides, and at the same time to encourage farmers to. improve their methods of cultivation.
The percentage of revenue contributed by the principal ports during the year 1929 shows Shanghai to be still going ahead in comparison with others. Her contribution was 45.44 per cent. as against 40.88 per cent. in 1928, while the following table will not be without interest showing the importance of the different ports from year to year:—Percentage of Revenue of Principal Ports 3928-4929
Tientsin. 10.91 10.00 Shanghai 40.88 4544 Dairen 9.94 Hankow © 6.22
Kiaochow " 4.03
Harbin district. 2.95 Canton 2 8.78 Antung. 2.81 Swatow 2.03 Newchwang 144 Amoy weeeeee 196 34 Other Ports.. 13.70
It will be seen that the greatest, in fact the only, gubb stantial increase in the volume of trade is to the credit of Shanghai, and it will be a pertinent question asked whether the tendency will not increase for this port to be China's great mart for its foreign commerce. That almost entirely depends upon whether the facilities offered by the port keep pace with the demands made upon it, There are optimistic factors in the report. So much is heard of bad trade in these days that it is of real interest to see that the British Empire has maintained its position, claiming 21,6 per cent, of. the import trade as against 19.6 per cent. the pri vious year, This is an important matter for British merchants. Whereas there are constant reports of stagnation in the old established lines of business, there are people who insist that the British balance of trade is being made up in other directions. Furthermore, while it is. known that certain' firms with large overhead charges have not been in the most prosperous condition in recent years, banks have found that there has. been the tendency for business to a large number able to, exist ins of profit, From the statistical point. of view there are further matters in this excellent report which call for comment, hut it is of a nature to demand study not in excerpts or comments but as a whole, and it may be recommend. ed for its absolute attention to the subject under review and its refusal to stray into devious paths.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.