No. 3918 Annual Series.

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPORTS.

CHIN A.

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1906

ON THE

TRADE OF FOOCHOW.

EDITED A'r THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND TH.E BOAIW OF TRA.DE.

REFERENCE '1'0 PREVIOUS REPORT, Annual Series No. 3710.

Presf!nted to both Houses of Parliament b.11 Command of Nia Majesty,

.A UGUS1', 1907.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS l\:fAJEffl'Y'S S'rATlONERY OFFIOE,

BY HARRISON AND SONS, S'l'. MARTIN'S LANE, PRIN'.l:l!RS IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJJ.;s·cr.

And to be pnrchnsed either direct.Iv or thl'ongh any Bookseller, from WYMAN AND SONS, LTD., FF.TTF.R LANE, KO.; :i.nd

82, AurxGDON 8Tll.EE'1', vVEST~fINSTim, S. \V.; 01' OLIVER AND BOYD, TwmmDAr.1, CounT, EnINBUl!OII; or

E. l'ONSONBY, 116, GnAl'TON S1·nEE·r, DuoLur.

1907.

[Qd. 3283-174.J P,·ice Three Haifpimce.

CONTENTS.

Value of trade ..................................................................................................... .

Foreign imports-

Opium .............................................................................................................. .

Cotton piece-goods ........................................................................... .

yarn .....

Woollen goods ..

l\Ietals ................... .

Kerosene oil... ......... .

PAGE

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

,,ri11clo,v glass ...... ..... ... ................ ........... ................................... ...... .......... ........ 5

Sugar 5

Machinery 5

Flour.................................................................................................................... 5

Native imports 6

Exports-

Tea

Camphor .................................. .

oil ..................................................................................................... .

Feathers .......................................................................................................... .

6

11

13

13

Fruit.................................................................................................................... 13

Oils 13

Shipping 13

Carrying trade.................................................................................................... 14

Launches················································-··························································· 14

Inland waters .................................................................................................... 14

Coolie emigration 14

Transit passes . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. ... .. . .. . . . .. ... . .. ... .. ... ... .. ... . .. ... .. ... . .. . .. ... .. . . . . .. .. . ... .. . .. . . . . . 14

Customs duties 14

Chinese Imperial post office ... . .. .. . .. . .. .. . ... .. . . .. . . .. ... . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . .. ... .. ... .. .. . . .. . .. . ..... .. . .. 14

Mining .................................................................................................................... 14

Statistics ... 15

NoTE.-The value of the Haikuan tael is taken in 1901 at 2s. llid,, in 1002 nt 2s. 7*d., in 1903 nt 2s. 7jd., in 190('at 2s. lO!d,, in 1905 at 3s. 01

10 d. and in

1906 at 3s. 3id,

No. 3913. Annual Series. Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 3710.

Report on the Trade of Foochow for the Year 1906

By Mn. CONSUL I'LAYFArn.

The gross trade of Foo chow for 1906 shows an increase of V nlue of 222,27ll. The appreciated volume here recorded is only apparent trade.

when the figures are turned into sterling. If the calculation be made in Haikuan taels there is, on the contrary, a decrease of 418,911 taels. Similarly, when comparing the net values, the apparent increase of 123,148l. in Hl06 becomes a decrease of 753,552 taels. These discrepancies are due to the rise of the rate of exchange for the Haikuan tael from 3s. 01\rd. in Hl05 to 3s. 3fd. in 1906.

There was a decline in imports, both foreign and native, Imports.

amounting to 118,893l. in the one and to 40,955l. in the other. In exports, however, those to foreign countries increased by Exports. 266,34ll. and those to Chinese ports by 6,655l.

The amount of opium imported was in excess of that of 1905 Foreign by 83 cwts., Malwa and Patna being still the favourite varieties. ~11?0 rts.

Patna showed a marked increase (from 1,021 to 1,455 cwts.) and prnm.

Persian an equally noticeable fall (from 1,096 to 593 cwts.). Native opium to the value of 58,685l. was brought into the port as com-pared with 48,12ll. in 1905, an increase of 10,564l.

The following table gives a comprehensive survey of the trade in opium during 1906 :-

Quantity. -

Malwa. Patna. I Benares. / Persian. I Total.

Chests. , Chests. Chests. ! Chests. Chests. Stock on January 1, 1906 .... 49 21 11 i 18 99 Foreign import during year .... 31 6 .... I 534 571 Chinese

" " .... 964 1,012 512 I 47 2,535

Total 1,044 1,039 I 523 I 599

I 3,205 .... ....

I I Less re-export during year .... 23} 7 5 17 52!

Total stock .... 1,020! 1,032 518 I 582

I 3,152!

Sales during year .... 972! 1,015 499 I 490 2,976!

Stock at end of year i 48 17 19 I 92 I

176 I I

(190) A 2

Cotton piece. goods.

Yo.m.

Woollen goods.

Metals.

Sundries. Kerosene.

4

Malwo. Po.tnrL Benares PersirLn

FOOCHOW.

QUOTATIONS during the Year 1906.

New. -----

From- To- From-

Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 840 1,070 900 845 990 855 835 960 850 650 1,260 650

Old.

To-

Dollars. 1,270 1,000

970 1,260

During the year 1906 prices ruled lower than in 1905. There was a falling-off in the consumption of native opium to the extent of 20 per cent. The Szechuan drug has improved in quality and now nearly approaches the flavour of the Indian article. The value of Indian opium was high at the beginning of the year, but declined towards the close, while in the case of the native variety the con­ditions were reversed. Persian dropped from 1,200 to 650 dol. per picul.

During the past four years the amounts of foreign opium imported have shown the following variations:-

1903 1904 1905 1906

Year. Q,uantity.

Cwts. 5,260 4,,388 3,917 4,002

Value.

£ 353,981 344,169 318,03.l 331,927

---- --- -------

Cotton piece-goods increased in value from 93,760l. to 119,555l. The principal items were British shirtings (63,456 pieces, valued at 25,19ll.) and British T-cloths (122,599 pieces, valued at 35,311l.).

There was a decrease of about 20,000l. in the import of cotton yarn. Indian yarn, which had advanced from 127,709l. in 1904 to 143,207l. in 1905, fell back in 1906 to 120,995l.

Cotton and woollen mixtures and miscellaneous piece-goods amounted in value to 3,783l.

Woollen goods increased in value from 15,529l. to 18,207l., a rise of nearly 3,000l., the chief items being British camlets (4,535l.) and woollen and worsted yarn (6,76Gl.).

The total value of metals imported was 107,113l., a decrease of 22,740l. compared with 1905. To this total copper (bars and slabs) contributed 49,868l. ; iron and mild. steel (new and old), 10,768l. ; lead, in pigs and bars, 14,610l. ; and tin, in slabs, 36,028l.

American kerosene increased from 868,040 gallons, valued at l!),298l., in 1905, to 996,700 gallons, valued at 22,965l., in 1906;

FOOCHOW. 5

Sumatra oil decreased from 2,200,500 gallons (39,461l.) to 1,679,399 gallons (29,207l.). Borneo oil was imported to the amount of 200,000 gallons (3,357l.). Of the Sumatra oil, 462,121 gallom• were imported in bulk ; all other oils were imported in tins. Th.e Asiatic Petroleum Company is the only firm here having tank installations. I am informed that the Standard Oil Company purpose erecting three tanks at Pagoda Anchorage with a combined capacity of over 2,000,000 gallons.

There were imported 5,305 boxes of window glass, value 2,881l., Wimlow as against 3,424: boxes in 1905. gl11,s~.

Quantity. Valuo. Sugm·.

Sugar- Cwts. £ Brown 25,862 13,765 Whito 78,332 51,889 Refined 20,045 14,272 Candy 34,469 31,698

Total, 1906 .... I 158,708 111,624 1905

I

135,002 103,874

Increase in 1906 .... 23,706 7,750

----·--·· --------

Machinery was imported to the value of 28,812l. All except Machinery.

315l. worth was for use in the Government arsenal and mints. The import of flour has more than trebled itself, rising from Flour.

32,363 cwts. (16,620l.) in 1905 to ll 7,068 cwts. (52,483l.) in 1906.

The total was made up as follows :-

American and Canadian Austrnli11,n Japanese Native (Shanghai mills)

Quantity.

Cwta. 106,196

7,981 536

1,455

Value.

£ 47,715

3,787 241 741

---~----·-··--

Foreign sundries in all amounted to 492,839l. In addition to the Mierel­articles enumerated above, the following also appear worthy of lancoi.s. notice:-

Articles.

Coal Fish, &c.

(190)

I

1906.

- - I - -

I ·Quantity. I Value.

I Tons. I £ I 15,804 I

13,007 .... I .... 28,696 43,460 I ----- -~-~- ---

1905.

--------·

Quantity. Value.

Tons. £ 3,549 2,689

21,267 30,229

Postal parcels.

Tea.

Nuti'i'c imports. Beans, wheat and rice.

Silk.

Tea.

6 FOOCHOW.

An interesting item in the list of foreign sundries is that of postal parcels, which appears for the first time and amounted to 4,769l.

A small amount of tea from Ceylon and Formosa was imported, chiefly for blending purposes. The customs tables do not enable me to state how much was retained in the port and how much re-exported.

Value.

Articles. -------·------

Beans Wheat Rico

1906. 1905.

£ 67,609 32,134 5,724

£ 49,984 46,272

5,722

The import of silk remained nearly stationary:------------------~-----

Articles.

Raw­White .... Yellow

Piece-goods Ribbons ....

Value.

1906. 1905.

£ £ .

1,002 11,064 23,507

2,848

13,049 22,906

4,484

The total exports direct to foreign countries, including Hong­Kong, show an increase of 266,341l. over the 1905 total, while the exports to Chinese ports remain practically the same, being 787,755l. as compared with 781,lOOl.

I Tea- I

Black .... . ... 1

Green .... .. ..

1

Brick (black) .. .. Dust .. ..

i

_____ 1 __ 9_o_5_. ___ , ___ 1_9~ _ _1 __ I_n_c_re_a_s_e_. __

Q . I Vl Q . I VI IQ . VI uant1ty. __ a_u_e_. _, __ u_a_n_ti_ty_. i: __ a_u_e_. -:--u-an_t_it_Y_·,. __ a_u_e._

Cwts. £ Cwts. I £

111,993 i 391,515 141,578 j 548,947 27 i 57 1,0621 2,353

48,845 46,617 60,125 90,273 '1

252 : 265 411 651 ,

Cwts.

29,585 1,035

11,280 159

£

157,432 2,296

43,656 386

i I i ---------------'-----'---~----------

The statistics for 1906 show an appreciable improvement, in spite of which there seems to be a universal opinion among those interested in the trade that the day of China teas is over. Its heyday certainly is, The reason has been stated over and over again

FOOCHOW. 7

and is not far to seek. The arbiter in the matter ·is the popular taste, and the verdict of the tea drinker is that by which China tea has to stand or fall. The teas of the world are judged by the roads along which they travel. Speaking metaphorically, China teas are carried along highways which, like those of 'Ghe country which produces them, are rough, ill-kept, guiltless of macadam-in one word-primitive. The teas of India are transported along a well laid steel track, in wagons drawn by first class locomotives. Under such circumstances they may be expected to arrive first. Trans­port is ahvays cheaper by steam traction than by human carriers or by native boats, therefore Indian teas are less expensive to produce than those of China. This characteristic of cheapness, united to an undoubted superiority of manipulation in the manu­facture, forms a combination which appeals irresistibly to the middle-class British consumer. It is useless to point out to him that China tea is more wholesome for his digestive organs; "the faculty" has drummed this into him times without number. The dark brown colour of the Indian infusion may be the result of deleterious tannin, but it looks strong and more is obtained for the money. There are unquestionably signs in the upper middle class at home that opinion is veering round towards the tea of China. W~ile the complaint of those who deal in tea out here is that they cannot get a market for their teas in London, the residents in London, as I found by experience when on a recent visit to England, clamour for the China article and grumble because they say they cannot get it at a reasonable price and of decent quality. It is a sign of the times perhaps that whereas China tea was hardly procurable at all in London a few years ago, it is now to be bought at the Army and Navy Stores Q,nd in all the shops of the Aerated Bread Company. Still people complain that, though it is to be had, the quality is poor and the price prohibitive.

'fhe following particulars of the course of the tea market at Foochow during 1906 have been kindly contributed by some of the merchants concerned :-

" The total production of tea for foreign use again shows a marked falling-off. In Congous, arrivals have been 129,000 half­chests against 173,500 half-chests in the previous season ; in Souchongs, 95,800 half-chests against 86,000 half-chests ; in Oolongs, 54,500 half-chests against 103,940 half-chests ; in scented teas, 20,500 boxes against 20,000 boxes ; and in flowery Pekoes, 5,700 chests against 6,260 chests in the previous season.

"The crop of Congous was rather below the average quality, Oongous.

but from a foreigner's point of view the teas fetched full prices and met with fair competition, resulting probably in a slender profit to the natives. The crop of genuine Souchongs was moderate Souchongs.

in quantity, but the quality was excellent, and the first crop teas were in consequence eagerly competed for at very high prices and were very soon cleared off the market ; the second crop teas were also good and fetched much higher prices than usua.l, 'and all of these

Oolongs.

8 FOOCHOW.

teas left handsome profits to the natives. The average price of Souchongs generally was, however, rather lower than in some seasons, but this was brought about by the extremely low prices given for common and good common kinds, which were bought when exchange was at its highest point.

" After last season's disastrous prices the teamen had little ' heart ' to invest in Oolongs to any large extent, and they evidently hoped that the unusually small supply of only 54,500 half-chests would lead to competition on the part of foreigners, but apparently the demand for Foochow Oolongs is dying out in the United States, and Indian and Ceylon teas are displacing them, for up to this date only some 19,600 half-chests have found buyers, and them at extremely low prices. Most of the principal chops still remain unsold, and there seems absolutely no demand for them. It is reported that a very large portion of last year's cheap shipments still remain unsold in New York, and if this is the case we fear that this once flourishing trade is doomed to very considerable curtail­ment in the near future, not being able to stand up in competition with the cheap and carefully prepared production of India and Ceylon.

" From a foreigner's point of view it is probable that the season under review has been fairly profitable; most of the early-shipped teas paid fair profits, though it remains to be seen how parcels still unsold will come out. Exchange has risen steadily all through the season, which has helped to keep down supplies. In connection with China teas generally it may be remarked that the total con­sumption in the United Kingdom during the past year was only 5 per cent. of the total consumption of tea from all parts. What a ' drop i~ the ocean ' is Foochow's export of tea to London compared with what it used to be ! but little more than 1 per cent. of the total quantity used there. The average prices realised for the different kinds were :-

"Congou .... "Souehong " Flowery Pekoe " Seen tcd t<ia " Congou cl ust " Oolongs ····I

* Not yet sold.

Price per Pieul.

Taels. -16 23! !JO 31 !ll *

" The tea market for the season 1906-07 opened about the usual time, and with supplies estimated as much shorter than the previous year and the general quality distinctly superior, buying was very brisk and prices very much higher than we have seen for some years past.

1' The estim~t~d. tot\L! o~ th~ fi:rnt crop Congous was 100,00()

FOOCHOW. 9

half-chests against 135,000 half-chests last year, and of Souchongs 55,000 half-chests against 75,000 half-chests last year.

" The grPat feature of the past season was the keen competition for all high grade Souchongs, and the prices paid were exceptionally high. The reason being, of course, partly the superior quality but chiefly the short crop and the bareness of the London and Continental markets of fine teas.

" Later the high exchange militated very greatly against buyers, but the teamen only lowered their prices slightly.

" Medium teas were very scarce and not good value, and lower grades very plentiful but terribly poor both in leaf and liquor, and unless the growers realise that they must make their teas better, China tea must continue to fall in favour with the consumer.

" Fine teas are still fairly carefully made, but for medium and common grades the native seems to think that any rubbish will do.

" Owing to the high prices paid for first crop teas, large supplies were sent down for the second crop-mostly consisting of common and dusty leaf and very undesirable teas. This, of course, made the total arrivals considerably higher than were anticipated, and made the Souchong crop appear even in excess of last year. Most of the teas, however, were from Congou districts and were not true Souchongs at all. It would be well if the native could be made to realise that as long as he sends down the poor quality and dusty broken leaf teas for the bulk of his supplies the demand for China tea is bound to decrease, and eventually-and not in the very distant future either-China tea, except perhaps a small quantity of fine tea, will hardly be wanted at all. Teas for price are, of course, still further handicapped in competing with Indians and Ceylons by the export duty. The total output of all Foochow teas for the season amounts to 305,700 half-chests against 389,600 half-chests last year."

" 'l'he most notweable feature is the further shrinkage in supplies, which are about 22} per cent. less than in the season 19()5-06. The following remarks apply to the various districts :-

" Paklings were formerly· used to a large extent in Canada, but P11klings. have completely gone out of consumption there. A small business is still ·done with London and New York, but the teas are losing favour for want of quality.

" Paklums maintain their position, as the teamen keep the Pa.klums. quality up to standard and consequently get remunerative prices.

" Panyongs suffer from the competition of Indian and Ceylon l'anyongs. teas on the consuming markets, especially Australia and London.

"Less care is taken year by year in the make of Ching Wo, Ching Wo,

Yung How and Saryune teas, and the bulk of the crop can only be J11~;!n~~w, classed as common Congou and worth less on the home markets than cost of production in China.

"Seu Moo are the old-fashioned crack chops of Kaisow, so Seu Moo. degenerated that they cease to be fine tea when in competition with teas of equal cost from other place!'l-hence their downfall,

Ton Fong Tong.

Souchongs.

Scented tea.9.

Flowery Pekoes.

Oolongs.

Brick tea..

10 FOOCHOW.

" The increase of Congou from Ton Fong Tong is accounted for by the fact that less leaf has been made into Oolong dust and siftings. Less has been packed into half-chests for the market, as the brick tea manufacturers made extensive purchases in the country, which were brought to Foochow in bags and thus absorbed the tea siftings usually placed on the market.

" The crop of Souchongs has been excellent and above the average of several years. There was a good demand and high prices were paid for special chops. The teamen are alive to the fact that by main­taining a good quality this trade can be kept profitable to sellers and buyers alike.

"Scented teas have been poor in quality and dear. Results have not been satisfactory.

" Owing to a wet spring the quality of flowery Pekoes is below the average.

" Oolongs are a vanishing product ; the only market for these teas is the United States of America, where customs regulations are stringent, and teas with more than 8 per cent. of dust or dark infused leaf are not admitted. In the season 1905-06 both the teamen and the foreign buyers were heavy losers so that the quantity made this season is nearly 50 per cent. !ess, and even with this shortage the teamen will have to face heavy losses as it is difficult to find buyers.

" The high sterling exchange ruling this season has enhanced the laying down cost of teas, which have not met with adequate appreciation by the home importers, and consequently, with the exception of finest teas, business has not been profitable. This remark also applies to the native teamen; profits were made on their best chops, but the bulk of the crops have barely covered cost."

"The market opened with better prospects, owing to smaller stocks in Europe and great falling-off in supplies. First arrivals at London did well, but towards the end of 1906 the low prices for Indian and Ceylon, under 4d. for common, tended to depress the market, and in consequence China tea suffered. Smaller stocks in London on December 31, 1906-117,500,000 lbs. of all countries against 126,750,000 lbs. in 1905-gave an impetus, combined with advice from the producing countries that production was limited. An advance in Indian and Ceylon teas of some 50 per cent. for common grades caused more demand for China. On the whole the season has been satisfactory ; quality has been improved and there has been an absence of low common teas, which should tend to improve the trade. There is still a demand for good China tea, with every prospect of improvement in the near future."

" The brick tea trade in this port has steadily declined during the last 10 years. The reasons for this are numerous, amongst the principal being:-

" (1) The shortage of finest tea dust and cost of same; " (2) The Siberian Russians preferring Hankow and Kiukiang

tea to Foochow on account of better flavour, colour, &c.

11ooonow. 11

" Very few bricks now made in Foochow go to Russia, the principal market being the Amoor River districts.

"Production in 1906 (one Russian firm) was 9,280 baskets as against.about double that quantity in 1896."

Of the three chief articles of export, none is more interesting Cumphor. than camphor, of which the quantity sent abroad has suddenly increased to a degree which is noticeable and unprecedented. The 4,805 cwts. of 1905 rose to 13,535 cwts. in 1906, an advance of 8,730 cwts. Those who are interested in the trade are, however, regretfully aware that this spasmodic exuberance is like the ,dying flicker of an expiring candle, and that the exploitation of camphor in Fukien is an industry which will perish of inanition in five cir six years at the most.

This is the more to be regretted since Foochow is a port ill­provided with articles of export. Tea, once its staple product, has long been on the down grade. The only others which figure in appreciable volume arc timber and camphor. A prosperous future may be predicted for timber, but camphor has its prospects handicapped by difficulties inherent in its methods of manufacture, difficulties for which it appears impossible to find a remedy. Similar intractibility has long puzzled the manufacturers of rhea, and the ingenuity of inventors has been stimulated by the offer of large rewards by the Government to any genius who should devise a method of successfully treating that fibre. It would be a desirable consummation if inventors would turn their attention to a solution of the camphor problem. Most people are aware that the only way in which camphor can be extracted from the tree is by a process which might be termed "destructive distillation." That is to say, that to obtain the drug the tree must be felled and its timber boiled. Camphor is not a substance which will flow when the trunk is tapped, as is the case with rubber. It is present in the wood in the form of crystals, which are extractable only by boiling. Therefore the tree must die. The " hard camphor " of Borneo and Sumatra is obtained in the same way from one of the Diptero-Carpae. Chinese camphor is furnished chiefly by the Island of Formosa and forms the only other source of supply for European markets. It is a product of Cinnamomun Camplwra, one of the Laurineae, and constitutes the bulk of the world's supply. Since Formosa passed out of the hands of China, the Japanese have expended much thought and pains on the cultivation, and have made many experiments with the view of ascertaining whther it is possible to obtain the drug without destroying the tree. It was hoped at one time that camphor might be distilled in sufficient quantity from the twigs and leaves without destruction of the trunk, but this hope has proved fallacious, and those investigating the question have had reluctantly to conclude that the only possible method of preserving the species is to plant fresh trees in lieu of those sacrificed. To make this device successful, however, half-a. century's patience is required, for Cinnanwmun Camphora is a

12 FOOCHOW.

tree of slow growth and is not commercially productive till it has attained the age of 40 years. The cultivation of the camphor tree is, therefore, a business in which it is hopeless to look for quick returns for one's outlay.

It is several years since the Fukien authorities had their atten­tion turned to camphor as a promising source of provincial revenue. Since this discovery they have made repeated attempts to create a Government monopoly of its production. But every such attempt has been vigorously resisted by the Treaty Powers.

It is evident from the customs returns that the manufacture of camphor is being prosecuted energetically in the province, which is equivalent to saying that camphor trees are being in­creasingly destroyed. As the number of these trees in this and the neighbouring province of Chekiang is strictly limited, the extirpa­tion of Cinnamomun Camplwra in Fukien is only a question of time, and a very short time too. It is true that the provincial government is alive to the advisability of planting at least one sapling for every adult tree cut down; indeed, they require that renovation shall take place at the rate of five for one. But, as before mentioned, the camphor tree takes a long time to arrive at maturity and the authorities are legislating for a very distant future. Besides, it is said of the existing trees that a considerable number do not produce camphor. Some theorists assert that, like the cocoanut palm, Cinnamomun Camphora grows to perfection only close to the sea. Others, that camphor trees are male and female, and that crystals of the desired quality are found in the male only. This theory is, however, scientifically inexact, since the flower of Cinnamomun is polygamous.

However this may be, it is obvious that the jump from 4,482 cwts. in 1905 to 13,535 cwts. in 1906 bodes ill for the survival of the industry, and that the days when camphor will continue to form one of the Foochow exports are numbered.

For this regrettable state of thirigs there appears to be only one possible remedy and that is systematic reafforestation on a definite plan. Let the authorities utilise what stock in the way of adult camphor trees they have by cutting trees down and boiling the wood, so as to make as much money as they can. In any case this is what they probably will do, whatever advice may be tendered to them, and fortunately the survival of old trees is not essential as an encouragement to their youthful successors. But the Govern­ment should simultaneously establish, at certain suitable points, camphor tree reservations, nurseries of young trees, which are to be strictly protected from the woodman's axe for, say, 50 years. By some such means Fukien might again become a camphor­producing province towards the end of the century. It would also be useful to ascertain whether it is a fact that certain camphor trees produce the drug and others of an apparently kindred species do not, and what the reason for the difference is. For, of course, it is essential that the Cinnamomun to be cultivated in the proposed

FOOCHOW.

nurseries shall be of the right sort. I understand that the Chinese are unable to distinguish by mere ocular inspection the useful from the useless, and that only the experimental boiling of chips enables them to discriminate.

I intend to procure, if possible, specimens in flower of the pro­ductive and non-productive trees and to submit them to the Kew authorities for examination.

Export of camphor during the past five years:-

1902 1903 ]904 1905 1906

Yenr. Quantity.

Cwts. 264

1,362 1,421 4,805

13,585

Value.

£ 1,460 8,287

10,084 43,039

185,852

Prices ruled from 127 to 1G6 dol. per picul (first cost), but have been very irregular owing to Chinese shippers competing with each other. Complaints have been made of the damp nature of much of the cargo, which is due to hasty shipment, the Chinese not having facilities or inclination to dry the cargo. Most of the camphor goes to Hong-Kong for distribution, chiefly for London, the Continent and India. The season saw a large increase of shipments direct to London.

The export of camphor oil began in 1903 and has been steadily Camphor oil.

increasing in volume :-

1903 1904 1905 1906

Year.

····1 I I ····1 I

Quantity.

Cwts. 624 744 349

3,796

Value.

£ 993

1,380 600

8,344

Paper decreased from 91,583 cwts. in 1905 to 70,502 cwts. in Paper.

1906, owing to a cessation in the demand from Corea; though the number of cwts. exported were smaller the value in sterling rose from 154,565l. to 157,G28l.

Feathers showecl a falling-off from 1,890 cwts. (4,2Gll.) in Hl05 Feathers.

to 1,615 cwts. (3,510l.) in HJOG. The export of fruit rose in value from 41,780l. in Hl05 to 53,428l. Fruit.

in 1906. Oils of all kinds (bean, tea, wood, aniseed, camphor, &c.) Essential oils.

advanced from 3,660l. in 1905 to 18,161l. in 1906. The number of British steamers entered decreased by 11 in Shipping.

1906, but they were of greater tonnage, their average measure-ment being 1,217 tons against 1,085 tons in 1905. They

Cnl'rying tr11tlc. Steamei·s.

Junks.

Steam launches.

14 FOOCI-IOW.

numbered 195 steamers, being thus easily at the head of the list ; their nearest competitor was China, with 115 steamers which had, however, an average tonnage of no more than 554 tons. Next came Japan with 112 steamers averaging 702 tons. Except for Japanese junks, chiefly from Formosa and numbering 79, the sailing vessel has practically disappeared, only 1 British vessel being recorded in 1906 against 5 vessels in 1905.

The total value of the carrying trade was 5,433,473l., of which 2,926,034l. is credited to Chinese vessels; but of this sum l,552,397l. was junk-borne cargo, leaving l,373,637l. as the value carried in Chinese steamers. British steamers with a total of l,754,603l. came in easily fust. Japanese shipping with 391,174l. took second place and German with 211,777l. third. No other Power attained six figures.

The net value of the trade in junks was l,477,976l. as compared with l,791,144l. in 1905, or less by 313,168l.

By the end of 1906, 31 launches had been registered. Of these 7 were British, 20 Chinese, 2 Japanese, 1 French and 1 Portuguese. Of the number 3 are motor launches, the machinery of 2 is British and of the other Dutch.

Inlnncl wntel's. Engaged in inland navigation there are two steamers, aggre­gating 570 tons, under the British flag. The Japanese flag is also

General remarks. Coolie emigrntion.

Transit passes.

Duties.

represented in this trade by two small steamers. Under German auspices 450 coolies were sent to Samoa in a

special steamer. The French sent 490 coolies to Haiphong and repatriated 980 coolies from the same port on behalf of the Yunnan Railway. All travelled as ordinary passengers by the usual coasting steamers.

Transit passes.-Inwards: Foreign goods, 7,643 passes covering goods to the value of 81,752l. ; Shanghai cotton yarn, 291 passes covering goods to the value of ll,87ll. Outwards : 437 passes, covering goods to the value of 40,540l. All were for camphor and camphor oil.

The duties received at the customs amounted to 150,247l. compared with 123,404l. in 1905, an increase of 26,843l.

Imperial In the Foochow postal district there are 18 post offices and post office. 22 agencies, which handled 2,976,053 articles as against 2,236,111

articles in 1905.

Mining.

Parcels increased from 40,236 in 1905 to 56,265 in 1906. Money orders were issued to the value of 35,20ll. and cashed

to the value of 31,200l. There appears to be no prospect at present of any mines being

worked in the province. A trial shipment of ore has been made to the United Kingdom, but the expenses of working and transport are too heavy to admit of lucrative competition with Japan and the northern ports.

My thanks are due to the Commissioner of Customs for his permission to have early access to the returns and also to those gentlemen who supplied information as to the course of trade.

Annex !.-RETURN of Principal .Articles oI Import into Foocbow during the Years 1905 and 1906.

I Quantity. Incrense or Decrease in 1906

I compared with-

A1ticles. I Average, Five Average,

I

Years 1901-05. 1905. 1906. 1905. Fi,·e Y e&·s.

Opium- I Benares Cwts. 448 525 734 + 209 + 286 Malwa. .... ····1 1,504 1,277 1,220 57 284 Pa.tno. .... I 974 1,021 1,455 + 4.34 + 481 Persian 1,284 1,09G 593 503 691

Cotton goods- ~ Shirtings- 0

0 Grey, plain .... Pieces 62,067 72,296 63,456 8,840 + 1,389 0 White 15,957 18,337 15,103 3,234 854 :;I:f

0 Drills- ~ .A.rnericnn 5,551 3,555 788 2,767 4,763

British 4,548 8,203 12,161 I + 3,953 + 7,613 T-cloths

····1 122,303 125,"723 122,599

I 3,124 + 296

Cambrics, lawns and muslins ,, .... 24,034 14,328 9,706 Dimities Yards 16.665 12,975 I 3,690 Chintzes Pieces 8,496 10~756 8,155

I

2,601 341 Turkey-red coUons 10,075 14,8D7 10,740 4,157 + 665 Coiton Italians 14,763 25,858 18,357 7,501 + 3,594 Shfrtings, dyed 9,006 10,489 8,468 2,021 538 Cotton flannel 4,420 4,,819 .:1,123 I 696 297 ,, Velvets Bnd velveteens Yards 57,873 93,592 101,56S + 7,976 + 43,695 Handkerchiefs Dozens 10,869 11,139 11,759 + 620 + sno Towels .... 10,585 18,160 22,974 + 4,814 + 12,389 Cotton yarns-

Hong-Kong Cwts. 3,036 2,604 2,870 + 266 166 I-' Indian 39,373 47,149 35,219 11,930 4,154 01 Japanese 2,086 1,761 685 1,076 1,401

RETURN of Principal Articles of Import into Foochow during the Years 1905 and 1906-continued.

Quantity. Increase or Decrease in 1906 compe,red with-

Articles. ----·-------------·-----------·---·- - ---· ···-·---

Average, Five

I

1905.

I

1906. 1905. Average, Years 1901-05. Five Years.

!

Woollen goods-Blankets .... .... Lbs. ., .. 17,068 20,913 19,153 - 1,760 + 2,095 Camletei British .... .... .. ... Pieces .... 1,792 2,186 1,861 - 325 + 69 Cloth, broadi ha.bit and medium .... Yards .... 11,619 14,063 9,331 - 4,732 - 2,278 Lo..stinits ..... Pieces .... 660 515 4.33 - 82 - 227 Long ells .... ....

" . ... 374 367 195 - 172 - 179

Spanish stripes ..... Yards .... 23,786 29,276 18,129 - 11,147 - 5,657 Metals-

Copper sheets and plates .... Cwts. . ... . .... 31,175 10,156 - 21,019 . ... Iron, no.ii rod and baI's ..... ,, .... 920 1,312 1,271 - 41 + 351 Lead, pigs and b:i.rs .... ,, .... 19,749 19,421 16,542 - 3,879 - 4,207 Quicksilver .... ,, . ... 96 136 98 - 38 + 2 Steel .... ,, .... 5,575 1,675 863 - 812· - 4,712 Tin slabs ....

" ... 5,0iS 41510 4,345 - 165 - 783

Sundries-Coal .... .... Tons . .... 7,767 3,549 15,804 + 12,255 + 8,037

, Dyes, e.niline .... .... Ve,lne £ 5,967 5,562 4,882 - 680 - 1,085 Flour .... .... . .... Cwts. . .... 31,230 32,363

I 117,068 + 84,705 + 85,838

Matches, Japanese .... Gross .. .... 2111990 2so,mn 301,636 i + 51,615 + 89,646 Oil, kerosene .... .... . .... Gallons .... 3,165,211 3,066,690

I 2,8i5,399 I - 191,291 - 2891812

Sugar, ,vhite and refined ..... Cwts. ..... 70,125 103,815 98,367

I

- 5,448 + 28,242 Wheat .... ....

" ..... 67,681 157,178

I 99,756 - 57,422 + 32,075

~ 0 0 0 ~ 0

~

.,-.... Annex II.-RETUHN of Principal Articles of Export from Foochow during the Years 1905 and 1906. 1--c.o 0 -

Quantit-y. Increase or Dec!'en.se in 1906 corupa.red with-

.Articles. ---· ~----.. ·-··,.·----------

A ve:r;-9/ge, Five 1905. 1906. 1905. I Average, Years 1901-05. I Five Yen.re.

! !

Bamboo shoots ..... Cwts. 94,650 93,579 85,315 8,264 I

9,335 i

I ej

Camphor .... 1,574 4,806 13,535 + 8/730 + 11,961 0 0

I a

Feathers .... 1,724 li890 11615 275 109 ~ 0

Paper 60,962 91,583 70,502 21,081 I + 9,540 ~ r

Tea- I

i Blnck .... 177,446 111,993 141,578 + 29,585 I 35,868

Brick, black 48,071 49,150 60,125 + 10,969 I + 17,054

Green .... 8,044 27 1,062 + 1,035

I 1,982

Planks Square feet 371,220 .215,85'7 222,ij77 + 6,720 I 148,648

Poles Pieces 44·7,962 761,869 787,928 + 26,059 I

+ 839,966 to

1-l -::.

r--" 00

Annex III.-TABLE of Exports from and Imports to Foochow direct to and from Foreign Countries during the Years 1905-06.

Average, Five Yee.re 1901-05, 1905. 1906.

Country. E:xpo1-ts. Imports. Exports. Imporlis. Exporl9. Imports .

... 1

£ £ £ £ £ £ IT nited Kingdom 107,057 1,000 81,085 5,256 103,502 8,963 India ····1 5,178 37 6,191 8,613 1 Austl'alia. .... ····1 12,'746 684 6,225 6,286 8,278 14 r.tj

0 Canada 2,732 3,518 3,301 1 0

South Africa i 16,846 5,447 6,310 0

.... J :c: Hong-Kong .... [ 157,804 1,108,507 168,592 954,475 327,210 937,602 0

Straits Settlements .... I 1,927 11035 358 80 ~ France .. , .. :j: ..... • 17,750 83,517 07 France (Indo-China, &c.)

"'"! 16 11,038 309 Netherlands I :II= ,if: 13,529 16,234 ····I Netherlands (Indies) ''"j 965 47,252 1,683 871858 4,095 24,923 Germany ..... .... • ... , • 63,785 1,871 82,026 108 Austtia-H unga.ry .... .. * 17,349 26,091 Russia 145,264 21261 18,259 Japan (including Formosa) 44,784 37,906 78,526 67)573 59,966 44,282 United States 132,418 3,908 83,676 11,183 153,007 23,279 South America .... 1,237 1,949 4,395 Other countries .... \ 84,105 81699 105 5,450 2,292

I

i: No separate returns before 1905.

Annex IV.--RETURN of Vessels Foreign Owned or oi" Foreign Type Entered at Foochow during the Years 1905 and 1906.

Nationality.

British

American Danish Dutch French Germa.n ....

Japanese

N orwegia.n

Portuguese Swedish\ ... Chinese· ....

...

Yeal".

1906 1905 .... Aver0ige, 5 yee.rs 1906 i906 1906 1906 1906 1905

.....

Average, 5 years .... 1906 1905 .... .A..ve1·age, 5 years .... 1906 1905 .A. verage, 5 years .... ; 1906 .... . ... ' 1906 1906 1905

I .Average,. 5 years ....

Se.Hing.

Number of Vessels.

1 5 6 1 1

79 60 60

Tons.

486 S,168 3,288

470

4,296' 3/732 8,935

! I !

Steam.

Number of Vessels.

195 206 201 . ...

l 4 2

27 91 40

112 18 75 14 18

4 20 I

115 127 7i

Tons.

237,446 223,610 274,418

. -~ . 2,226 5,876 8,916

66,449 116,048

72,155 78,633

3,773 26,216 11,686 15,836 8,802 7,580 1,075

63,785 68,777 53,975

N OTB.-The above table represents entries only. Olea.ranees arc practically the snme.

I Total.

Number of Tessels.

196 211 207

1 1 4 2

27 91 40

191 78

135 14 18

4 20

I 115 127

77

I

i

I

Tons.

23 22

7,93~ 7,378 7,701 27

470 2,2:26 5,876 3,916

66,449 116,948

7.2,155 82,929

7,505 30,151 11,686 15,836

3,802 7,580 1,075

63,735 68,777

·sa,975

20 FOOCHOW.

Annex V.-GRoss and Net Values of the Trade of Foochow during the Years 1905 and 1906.

I Value.

I 1905. 1906.

I £ £ Foreign imports-

Gross ····I

1,346,529 1,238,592 Re-exported .... 15,326 26,282

Net ····I 1,331,203 1,212,310

Native imports-.... 1 Gross 673,176 730,388

Re-exported ····1 452,346 540,513

Net 220,830 189,875

Exports of local origin-To foreign countries 291,206 557,547 ,, Chinese ports 781,100 787,755

Total exports 1,072,306 1,345,302

Gross value of trade 3,092,011 3,314,282

Net ····I

2,624,339 2,747,487

Annex Vl.-GRoss and Net Values of the .Junk Trade of Foochow during the Years 1905 and 1906.

Foreign imports­Gross · Re-exported

Net

Native imports-Gross .... Re-exported

Net

Exports-'l'o Formosa .... ,, Chinese ports

Total exports

····1

::::1

....

....

.... I

Gross value of junk trade .... ! I

Net " " ····I (1500 s I 0'7-H & s 190)

Value.

1905.

£

8,202

--1 8,202

437,860 90,258

347,602

33,473 1,401,867

1,435,340

1,881,402

1,791,144

1906.

£

11,378 6,279

5,099

491,502 30,931

460,571

4,769 1,007,537

1,012,306

1,552,396

1,477,976