Among imports from America. pctroleum products accounted for no small part, though raw cotton contributed largely to this trade, the value of it in 1937 exceeding that of the previous year by about 150 per cent. Machinery and tools showed an even greater gain while imports of vehicles increased from 2.4 million to 46 million yuan. trade showed a gratifying e increase, though this was not enough to put her above seventh place in the returns. Because British India supplied three times as much raw cotton as all other countries combines, her shipments to Manchoukuo rose by over ion yuan. Hongkong's 10 per cent. gain is, of course, tabulated separately. France's gain from 14 of one million in 1936 to million in 1937, was accompanied a drop from 38 million to 12 million yuan im exports to that country. The Netherlands Indies owe their very favourable balance of trade chiefly to sugar, but Manchoukuo is making strenuous efforts to replace this with beet sugar, so this trade may be expected to diminish.
From the detailed tables of exports by customs districts, certain interesting facts appear. Wheat flour, which in 1936 had fallen to less than $10,000, yarn fell from 5.5 million to 3.7 million, Ores, metals and the like, increased to 19 and a milt million in value, the rise of scrap metal to 2 and 2/3rds millions contributing largely, while old copper also rose from 3 million to 1.1.
The detailed table of imports shows the large and consistent increase in the Japanese textile trade with the one exception of artificial silk yarn which dropped from 13.6 million to 1.5 million from Japan alone. Italy also lest over two-thirds of her trade in this line. In iron and steel there was an impressive increase, largely of course from Japan, though America and Belgium profitted from this trade, and Germany maintained a volume of about 14 million yuan. Vehicles and vessels which rose to a total of 37 million yuan, included a 50 per cent. increase in aeroplanes and parts and considerable gains in locomotives and automotive lines. The United States are credited with only 46 million of this total.
Radio sets more than doubled in value, reaching Y.24 million though since that time restrictions in their importation and use has practically wiped out foreign trade in this line.
Imported rice dropped from 104 to 8.1 million yuan while imports of flour fell away from 227 to 122 million in value, Australia and, to a lesser extent, China being the principal losers. Sugar imports diminished from 27 million to 18 million, Japan suffering the most, and the Netherlands Indies gaining in this trade, largely at the expense of Hongkong.
Wines, beer and spirits increased by 10 per cent. the modest amounts consumed by foreign residents, not showing any important change. though since the period under review, a combination of practically prohibitive duties, refusal of import permits for luxuries and restriction of foreign exchange for impozts.other than from japan, bid fair toirajse imported, foreign spirits and wines to the class of rare curios.
Impending Trademark Infringements Visitors, who in the past have been amused at such brands as "Queen George" or "White Wolt" whisky, "Old Napoleon Scotch" and similar menaces to the health of careless consumers, may give these offences against trademark laws more serious consideration in the future. The more cautious ones will, as usual, stick to beer. Manchoukuo produces a sumcient quantity of that beverage to slake the thirst of a considerable multitude, and still leave a small reserve for use in entertaining visiting firemen, though the local "Working men" suffered-a severe shock last summer, when an announcement appeared in the press that the Japanese Police had seized huge quantities of the Manchoukuoan product and, upon examination, pronounced disquieting percentages of it unfit for human consumption. Presumably it would pass for washing down drains, just as the imitation brandy, included in a New Year cumshaw, could be used in car radiators without affecting the speed of the vehicle.
Vodka has come into its own. If cocktail parties must be perpetrated,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.