LAPPA TRADE REPORT,FOR THE YEAR 1900.


　　1°.LOCAL—Although a first glance at the values of the junk trade passing the Lappa Stations would give the impression that the year 1900 had been a fairly satisfactory one from the commercial point of view, a careful study of the statistics will show that, with a few exceptions, nearly all the staple commodities have been dealt in to a smaller extent than for several years past. Troubles in the north of China and local troubles in the Kwangtung province itself have caused a feeling of uncertainty in the minds of the commercial class and made it very cautious in business transactions. Purchases of Foreign goods have been on a limited scale and stocks were kept sufficient to supply only daily demands. This will continue until confidence in the future is once more restored. Owing to the removal of the Changchow Station of the Kowloon Customs on the 1st October 1899, and the transference on the same day of the collecting work to the Tungho Station under the Lappa Customs, the Lappa statistics ought to show a big increase over the figures of previous years. The amount of trade passing Changchow Station in 1898 was in value Hk.Tls. 2,274,617, and in the first nine months of 1899, Hk.Tls. 2,266,222. The total value of the junk trade passing the Lappa Stations during 1900 was Hk.Tls. 13,573,069, a decrease of Hk.Tls. 175,449 as compared with the figures of the year before. This total does not include that portion of the trade borne by the regular trading junks between Hongkong and Macao, which aggregated Hk.Tls. 4,314,397,made up of Imports from Hongkong, Hk.Tls. 2,442,604, and Exports from Macao, Hk.Tls. 1,871,793.Compared with the value of the trade of 1898 there is an increase of Hk.Tls. 1,542,130. If the trade had remained in the same proportion, the Lappa Returns for 1900 ought to show an increase of, at the least, Hk.Tls. 2,000,000 over the figures of 1898 and 1899. Such has not been the case. I attribute the decrease to (1°) the political outlook in China; (2°) the competition of steamers from Hongkong and Macao to places up the West River; and (3°) the opening of the French port of Kwangchowwan, and the carriage per steamers direct from Hongkong to that place of considerable quantities of Opium and Foreign goods. The Lappa Customs only take cognizance of the trade passing in junks, and consequently all goods diverted into Foreign bottoms represent so much direct loss to the Lappa statistics. Owing to better security (piratical attacks on junks being by no means uncommon), steamers as freight carriers are gradually absorbing the more valuable commodities. Large consignments of Opium and Foreign goods were shipped direct from Hongkong to Kwangchowwan and taken from the latter place into the neighbouring Chinese districts, thereby escaping Duty and causing a serious loss to the Revenue collected by the Lappa Customs.
　　2°.REVENUE.-The total collection for the year amounted to Tls. 367,069, against Tls. 436,881 the year before-a decrease of Tls. 69,812, or almost 16 per cent. Duty and Likin on Opium were only Hk.Tls. 194,212, while in 1899 the amount collected was Hk.Tls. 264,643-a falling off of Hk.Tls. 70,431, which more than accounts for the decrease in the total Revenue noted above. In the General Cargo Duties there is a slight increase, of Hk.Tls. 1,399, but a decrease of Tls 1,651 in Likin. The Ching-fei collection, mostly on Foreign articles, increased by Tls. 871. The prohibition against the export of Rice and Paddy abroad continued in force throughout 1900, and consequently no Granary Tax was collected.
　　3°. FOREIGN TRADE.—(a.) Imports.—The total value of the Foreign Import trade for 1900 amounted to Hk.Tls. 3,943,202, as against Hk.Tls. 3,654,630 for 1899, showing an increase of Hk.Tls. 288,572. This at first sight looks very satisfactory, but, in reality, there has been a falling off nearly all along the line. In 1899 the value of American Kerosene imported was Hk.Tls. 93,046, as against Hk.Tls. 284,731 in 1900, giving an increase of Hk.Tls. 191,685; in 1899 the value of Rice and Paddy imported was Hk.Tls. 312,529, against Hk.Tls. 1,162,377 in 1900, giving an increase of Hk.Tls. 849,848, and therefore giving a total increase for both articles of Hk.Tls. 1,041,533. The total increase in value of the whole Foreign Import trade was, however, only Hk.Tls. 288,572, so that the difference—Hk.Tls. 752,961—represents the actual falling off in value of Foreign Imports; but of this amount Opium alone accounts for Hk.Tls. 375,158, so that Hk.Tls. 377,803 represent the falling off in general Foreign Imports apart from Opium, Kerosene, Rice, and Paddy. Cotton Piece Goods generally have declined, although to no great extent. Grey and White Shirtings receded from 11,386 and 14,413 pieces in 1899 to 9,652 and 11,794 pieces in 1900; T-Cloths, from 18,594 to 15,376 pieces; Indian Cotton Yarn, from 40,423 to 25,762 piculs; and Japanese Cotton Cloth, from 10,305 to 5,547 pieces; while Japanese Towels increased from-19,660 to 25,606 dozens, and Japanese Cotton Flannel, from 12,140 to 16,063 pieces. Under Woollens, English Camlets advanced from 2,470 pieces in 1899 to 3,151 pieces in 1900, but Long Ells and Broadcloth declined from 1,072 and 1,166 pieces to 857 and 888 pieces respectively. Metals all through show an improvement, Nail-rod Iron increasing from 2,561 piculs in 1899 to 6,002 piculs in 1900; Bar Iron, from 1,626 to 2,307 piculs; Iron Wire, from 845 to 1,450 piculs; and Old Iron, from 9,631 to 15,667 piculs; the quantities imported, however, are too small to sensibly counteract the serious decreases under other headings. Of Sundries, Betel-nuts show a decrease from 8,012 piculs in 1899 to 5,625 piculs in 1900; and Indian Raw Cotton, from 16,100 to 5,055 piculs. In 1896 Japan Matches were imported to the extent of 764,000 gross, but owing to a yearly decline the figure stands at 113,000 gross for the year under review. The manufacture of Matches is well within the scope of Native ability, and has during the past few years made large strides in other parts of China; so that, although I am not aware of any Match factories having been started in this province, still I think it possible that such may be the case, especially as a quantity of Match Chemicals and Prepared Match-wood passed the Kowloon Stations in 1899. The decrease may, to a certain extent, be due to local manufacture of Matches; but as the Canton statistics show large arrivals during the past four years, I am inclined to attribute the falling off entirely to a change of route. Kwangchowwan also has taken some of the trade away from the Lappa Stations. Cement—made at the Foreign works on Green Island (Macao),-Coal, Flour, and Japanese Umbrellas all show a satisfactory advance. Japanese articles generally, with the exception of Cotton Cloth and Matches, show marked increases, and in several cases to the detriment of European rival commodities.
　　(b.) Exports.—The value of the Export trade shows a falling off of upwards of half a million taels, the figures for 1899 being Hk.Tls. 6,173,279, as against, Hk.Tls. 5,640,729 for the year under review. There is, however, an increase of more than Hk.Tls. 250,000 in value over the figures of 1898, but the quantity of produce actually shipped does not seem to have been much beyond that shown by the statistics of that year, and I believe the advance is due to a general appreciation of prices rather than to a larger trade. Coming to the statistics of 1900,Trimmed and Untrimmed Palm-leaf Fans show an increase of 19,000,000 pieces over the previous year's figures. Leather ware increased from 1,354 piculs in 1899 to 1,963 piculs in1900; Cassia-leaf Oil, from 550 to 949 piculs; Silk and Cotton Shoes, from 70,000 to 119,000pairs; Unfired Black Tea, from 1,261 to 7,899 piculs; and Unclassed Hard-wood, from 48,000 to 181,000 pieces. A falling off is noticeable in Native Cloth, from 1,725 piculs in 1899 to 1,393 piculs in 1900; while Mats (Tea, Sugar, etc.) fell from 19,000,000 to 15,000,000 pieces. Groundnut Oil shows a large decrease, only 628 piculs appearing, as against 5,416 piculs in 1899; and Wood Oil also declined, from 3,750 piculs in 1899 to 2,687 piculs in 1900. All kinds of Silk show a very heavy falling off in comparison with the figures for the previous year, altogether aggregating a decline in value of upwards of Hk.Tls. 700,000. White Raw Silk declined from 713 piculs in 1899 to 627 piculs in 1900; Wild Raw Silk, from 4,234 to 3,747 piculs; Whole Cocoons, from 1,056 to 394 piculs; and Silk Piece Goods, from 358 to 150 piculs. Fired Black Tea fell from 30,217 piculs in 1899 to 20,401 piculs in 1900; and Leaf Tobacco, from 38,942 to 30,277 piculs; whereas, on the other hand, Prepared Tobacco rushed up from 9,397 to 25,946 piculs.
　　(c.) Re-exports.—Nil.
　　4°. COAST TRADE.—(a.) Original Shipments Coastwise.—No remarks.
　　(b.) Reshipments Coastwise.—Nil.
　　(c.) Coastwise Arrivals.—Native Imports show an increase in value of Hk.Tls. 68,000 over the statistics given for 1899. Beans and Peas improved from 14,000 piculs in 1899 to 22,000 piculs in 1900; Bran, from 52,000 to 210,000 piculs; Raw Cotton, from 1,708 to 3,693 piculs; Cuttle-fish, from 2,462 to 4,238 piculs; and Vermicelli, from 12,500 to 17,200 piculs; whilst Fresh Fruit, Gypsum, Soy and Sauce, and Tobacco all show considerable advances. A diminution is noticeable in Charcoal, of 11,000 piculs, in comparison with the figures for 1899; and Dried and Salt Fish, the principal article of Native import, declined from 276,000 to 228,000 piculs, representing a fall in value of upwards of Hk.Tls. 300,000. It must, however, be borne in mind that the 1899 importation was unusually high, whilst that for 1898 was 219,000 piculs, the lowest on record for the past 10 years. Fungus, Dried Lily Flowers, and White Wax all show a decrease, and Silk Piece Goods declined from Hk.Tls. 104,000 in the previous year to Hk.Tls. 79,000.
　　5°.INLAND TRANSIT.—Nil.
　　6°. SHIPPING.—The number of junks entered and cleared at the Lappa Stations was 15,528, representing a tonnage of 917,115 tons—an increase of 566 vessels and 90,912 tons over the shipping of 1899. 10 years back, in 1890, the junks passing Lappa numbered 24,251, of 1,221,367 tons, so the past decade has seen a decrease of 40 per cent. in number and 25 per cent. in tonnage. The reason the tonnage has not decreased in the same proportion as the number of vessels is owing to the fact that the junk of to-day is larger than the junk of 10 years ago-the present average being 60 tons, against 50 tons in 1890. Of the junks reported during the year under review, 14,294, of 767,837 tons, were to and from Chinese ports; 1,219, of 146,673 tons, to and from Hongkong; 14, of 2,433 tons, to and from Siam and Annam; and I, of 172 tons, to Singapore. Steamers bound up the West River numbered 1,186, and bound down,1,179—793 taking the Motomoon, or Broadway, route, and 1,572 the Wangmoon route. These steamers are required to report at either the Malowchow or Wangmoon Station, where they hand in manifests, are cursorily searched for unmanifested goods, and then allowed to proceed. The delay at the Stations seldom exceeds a quarter of an hour. The two Portuguese steamers Waon and Taiping kept up a regular service between Macao and Samshui, and made 604 trips during the year; they are at last getting a certain amount of cargo to carry.
　　7°. PASSENGER TRAFFIC. —The number of passengers in junks noted at the Lappa Stations during 1900 was 97,498 inwards and 97,129 outwards, a decrease of 2,788 and 3,240 respectively as compared with the figures of the year before. During the same period 18,456 passengers inwards and 17,245 outwards were carried by the Portuguese steamers Waon and Taiping.
　　8°. TREASURE.—The only movement of Treasure recorded was an importation of Copper Cash from Macao, valued at Hk.Tls. 33.
　　9°. OPIUM.—(a.) Foreign.—The import of Foreign Opium, paying Duty and Likin at Lappa, fell from 2,404 piculs in 1899 to 1,765 piculs in 1900, a decrease of 639 piculs. Of the above, 1,760 piculs were Patna, 2 piculs Benares, and 3 piculs Turkey Opium. The quantity mentioned in the Lappa Returns as passing the various Stations is 1,591 piculs. The balance—174 piculs—was carried by the Macao-Samshui steamers to Kongmoon and Kumchuk (West River stages). The districts that rely on Macao for their supply of Opium all show increases over the figures of the preceding year, while those that can obtain the drug from Kwangchowwan show big decreases. Of the latter, I note the following: Sanning (新甯), 327 piculs; Hoiping (開平), 148 piculs; Kochow-fu (高州府), 81 piculs; Yeungkong(陽州), 44 piculs; and Luichow-fu (雷州府), 50 piculs. The total of the decreases in these five districts more than accounts for the total decrease in the Lappa importation of Opium. Knowing that large quantities of Opium are shipped direct from Hongkong to Kwangchowwan (during the last six months of 1900 the quantity was no less than 592 piculs), there is not the least doubt that it is smuggled from there into the neighbouring Chinese territory. At a low estimate the amount of Opium sent to Kwangchowwan during 1900 must have been about 1,000 piculs, which represents a loss to the Revenue of China of no less than $170,000. The Macao Opium farmer received during the year 2,676 chests of Opium. Out of this quantity he boiled down for local consumption 842 piculs, and shipped to American and Australian ports 2,373 piculs.
　　(b.) Native.—No shipments of Native Opium were reported during the year. The1.36 piculs appearing in our Returns were confiscated while attempts were being made to smuggle them past the Stations.
　　10°. MISCELLANEOUS.—The prohibition against the export of Rice and Paddy abroad was in force throughout the year. In spite of all the possible precautions taken by the Lappa Customs to prevent the trade, considerable quantities of Rice found their way into Macao and were shipped abroad. Rich Chinese in Foreign countries want, and are willing to pay for, Kwangtung Rice, which they consider superior to other kinds, and as long as the demand exists, there will be found ways of supplying it. The annual visitation of the plague came early in the year and continued till the end of June; although it made a number of victims, there was nothing of a panic, and business was in no way interfered with.
　　The net value of the year's trade was as follows :—
  Hk.Tls.
Foreign Imports ............. 3,943,202
Native ”............ 3,989,138
“ Exports ................. 5,640,729
Hongkong to Macao Junk trade .......  2,442,604
Macao to Hongkong " " ....... 1,871,793
  —————

TOTAL .... Hk.Tls.

 17,887,466
  ═════

　　                 　　                                FRANCIS A. CARL,
　　                                   Commissioner of Customs.


　　LAPPA, 12th February 1901.