71% T SHIPMENTS of Coal from Kiushiu Ports during the Years 1907-09. The rapid advance of Miike at the expense of Kuchinotsu is very noticeable, but the latter port will still be used by foreign steamers calling for bunkers. The Hokkaido collieries did not have a successful year. Export of cotton yarns.-The detailed figures given on page 81 will show that spinners had a very much better year than in 1908. This satisfactory result was entirely caused by the increased purchases made by China, who took 94,440,000 lbs., valued at 2,950,000l., compared with 53,706,000 lbs., worth 1,670,000l., in the preceding year. The arrangement to keep 27.5 per cent of spindles idle was altered to 20 per cent. in October, and it was decided later on in the year that from April 30, 1910, the agreement should cease altogether. It was the cause of much friction between the four large spinning companies in the east of Japan and the more numerous companies in the west. The 1 yen 50 sen per bale export bounty which is paid for by contributions from members of the Cotton Spinners Association was continued throughout the year and will be maintained for another year, although on slightly different conditions. The following figures for the last three half-years have been compiled from the returns of the Cotton Spinners' Association and are of interest as they show the present position of this important industry. PARTICULARS of Cotton Spinning Industry in Japan for JulyDecember, 1908, January-June, 1909, and July-December, 1909. Export of cotton tissues.-As with yarns so with piece-goods, the year was distinctly an improvement on the preceding one as far as the export trade is concerned, and there was a large increase in the shipments of grey shirtings, drills, cotton crêpes and imitation nankeens. The home demand, however, was not as good as was expected, and in the autumn many of the small weavers were in trouble. One of the largest Japanese companies in this line, which has very fine spinning mills and weaving sheds in Kyoto, experienced a particularly bad year. The following table, taken from the report of the Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Association, gives the latest particulars with. regard to the manufacture of cotton in Japan: 400 48 2-10 3 0 5 5 The goods produced were chiefly grey shirtings, T-cloths, cotton flannels and twills. Exports of cotton undershirts and drawers.-For a while it appeared as if the Osaka fire might have affected this business because the conflagration occurred just in that part of the city where the industry is carried on, but fortunately only a few contracts had to be temporarily cancelled and the volume of business transacted was greater than in any previous year. India still remains by a long way the most important customer, taking over 1,800,000 dozen out of a total of 2,500,000. Java, the Straits and Hong-Kong all take over 100,000 dozen, and these undershirts, which are very cheap, seem to be finding their way to all parts of the globe. Exports of copper.-The figures with regard to copper are nearly the same as they were in 1908, namely 35,786 tons and 2,151,100l. compared with 35,760 tons and 2,169,8007. in the earlier year. China, who is generally one of Japan's best customers owing to her large mint requirements, last year only took the trifling amount of 428 tons. On the other hand America increased her takings from 5,572 tons to 9,729 tons and was second only to the United Kingdom, whose share amounted to 9,886 tons. Several of the smaller mine owners have stopped working as present prices are not sufficiently remunerative. Exports of matches.-This business has prospered during the past year and thanks chiefly to China, who purchased over 20,000,000 gross, the total volume of trade done amounted to 1,186,7007. It will be seen, therefore, that the industry has reached considerable dimensions, and as large quantities of British chlorate of potash and zinc sheet are consumed by the manufacturers, it is of benefit to us. A great outcry was raised by the smaller producers in connection with the proposed factory law. The conditions in the match factories are far from satisfactory and it is only by using cheap child labour that the present profits are made. It is a pity, however, that the Bill was withdrawn, because even though the match manufacturers might have been compelled to forego part of their gains, the industry would have been put on a sounder and more humane footing. Exports of rice.-As will be seen under the heading of agriculture, the Japanese farmers had an absolutely record year, and for the first time for some years past the export figures exceeded 59,000 tons, while it must be remembered that as there was not time to ship much of the 1909 crop before December 31, the growth in the figures ought to be more pronounced still in 1910. The price, however, dropped so low-to 14 yen per koku compared with 17 yen 30 sen in 1909-that the farmers complained that it would have paid them better to have had a smaller crop with normal prices. Many of the richer ones who could afford it preferred to hold on to their rice and they will probably be able to realise better prices later on. As usual, Hawaii, with its large Japanese population, was the chief purchaser, and the United Kingdom doubled her takings, while France, the Netherlands and Austria-Hungary, who had previously only bought very small amounts, purchased to the extent of 6,600, 4,300, and 3,500 tons respectively. Transhipment trade in graphite.-Ore of the features of the year was the development of the graphite business. Although this may be said to be still in its infancy, it is thought that it has a bright future before it. The graphite is all Corean and comes from mines in the east of Corea. It is brought to the coast by coolies and on the backs of ponies and is shipped in junks to Gensan, where it is transferred to small coasting steamers, which bring it to Shimonoseki. Here it is examined, packed in barrels and shipped in large steamers to London and the Continent. The quality varies considerably, but on the whole it is far inferior to Ceylon graphite and sells roughly at about 51. a ton. The mines are said to consist chiefly of pockets; and as yet no experts in graphite mines have examined them. Many firms are now taking an interest in the matter, and it is not unlikely that within the next year or two the trade may reach substantial proportions. Distribution of trade amongst participating countries.-The following table shows the shares of the principal countries during 1909. The figures for 1908 are introduced for the purpose of comparison. |