REPORTS of the Annual Series have been recently issued from His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers at the following places, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title-page:— DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR REPORTS. NETHERLANDS. REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1909 ON THE TRADE AND SHIPPING OF THE DISTRICT OF ROTTERDAM. EDITED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND THE BOARD OF TRADE. REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS REPORT, Annual Series No. 4213. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty, LONDON: PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, And to be purchased either directly or through any Bookseller, from OLIVER AND BOYD, TWEEDDALE COURT, EDINBURGH; or [Cd. 4962-24.] 1910. Price Twopence Halfpenny. 10.-Seamen transmitted and balances sent home, 1905-09...... 33 Currency.-12 guilders to the 11. (i.e., 1 guilder = 18. 8d.). Reference to previous Report, Annual Series No. 4213. Report on the Trade and Shipping of the District of Rotterdam for the Year 1909 By MR. CONSUL TURING. Introduction. The year 1909 may be looked upon from a commercial point of view as having been fairly satisfactory, for although it cannot be said that operations resulted in any large profits, yet a steady development in various branches of trade can be recorded. No great fluctuations occurred in the prices of the staple articles of this market, such as coffee, sugar, cotton, grease, tin, tobacco and grain, but the general tendency was a hardening of rates, and towards the close of the year prices of these commodities showed a material advance on those ruling at the commencement. Money was plentiful throughout the year and the issues of capital for industrial and agricultural undertakings were readily subscribed for; these issues were for the most part intended for the development of the Indian colonies-a good sign of the spirit of enterprise diverted from former speculative dealings in funds to the more useful channels of agriculture and industry. A pleasing feature in the trade of the port is the increase of 312 sea-going vessels, making a total of 8,560 ships, of 15,933,984 tons, as compared with 8,248 ships, of 14,808,345 tons, in 1908, whilst the inland navigation shows an excess over last year of 2,894 craft, measuring 1,335,647 tons, all of which contributed towards raising the amount of harbour dues to about 200,000l., being an increase of about 13,000l. on the figures for 1908. Industrial trade showed signs of improvement and activity, and this was exemplified in the shipbuilding yards, which produced 27,500 tons, representing one-tenth of the total new tonnage of the Netherlands. The building trade was very brisk and is likely to continue so in view of the intention of the municipal authorities to further the building of simple and cheap dwelling-houses to replace those which are annually condemned, and to meet the ever-increasing demands for such tenements in a city of such importance as Rotterdam. Amongst other innovations the erection of a new town hall and central post office as well as the demolition of certain narrow and confined streets in the centre of the town are under contemplation. (243) A 2 Shipping.-The year 1909 closed under more favourable circumstances than attended its opening, an improvement in the freight market, due in a great measure to abundant crops in the American States and Russia, having resulted in the majority of vessels laid up in 1908 again finding employment. The Dutch mercantile marine shows a further increase in its fleet. mainly in connection with the regular lines of steamship companies, as instanced by the Holland-America Company, which acquired six additional steamers and by other companies trading to the Far East. The Holland-America Line inaugurated a service between this port and Baltimore and another from Hamburg, Bremen and Rotterdam to Canadian ports. This company carried :— The improvement in this branch of their business is no doubt in a large measure accountable for the higher dividend of 10 per cent. about to be declared for the past year as against 2 per cent. paid in respect of the year 1908. A British company, the North Atlantic Transport Company, commenced running a line of steamers from this port viâ Hamburg, in competition with the Holland-America Company, its main object being the carriage of emigrants to New York, and judging from its initial efforts in this respect it promises to be a serious rival to the Dutch Company. During the year 1909 tonnage to the amount of 278,000 tons was launched from all Dutch shipbuilding yards against 199,000 tons in 1908, of which 61,709 and 45,000 tons respectively represent oceangoing vessels, whilst at the close of the year 59,330 tons of the latter description were in course of construction and 78,000 tons of inland craft. River Plate charter party.-Negotiations between the Union of Dutch Grain and Seed Importers and the Committee of the Chamber of Shipping in London have led to an agreement to insert a new clause having reference to discharging of grain cargoes in the River Plate contract forms and charter parties, which will mitigate the old causes of complaint long levelled against Dutch ports in the matter of the 15 discharging days. New waterway (Hock of Holland).-On May 25, 1908, a Bill was passed providing for the improvement of the fairway between Rotterdam and the Hook of Holland by widening it to 328 feet and excavating to a minimum depth of 26 feet below low-water mark, the estimated cost of which amounted to about 300,000l., the municipal authorities of Rotterdam agreeing to contribute 20 per cent. of this sum to maximum of 66,000l.; in this estimate was also included the lengthening of the south pier at the Hook and the removal of the so-called "Zuidwal" sand bank at the mouth of the entrance to the new waterway. The works contracted to be carried out in 1908 were duly completed |