The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-05-26

is the rate of exchange. which is con-
/ stantly fiuctuating. In Shantung there
/ is the additional disadvantage in the
variation in the exchange rate be-
tween the tael and cash. In 1906 this
rate was 2400 cash for one tael. In
1907 it had risen to 5000 cash for one
tael. This resulted in a considerable
falling of in the Importation OF yarns
and piece goods.
The great export is straw braid,
which is made up into straw hats
in other parts of the world. In for
mer days this trade went to Chefoo,
but it has been diverted to Tsingtau,
partly because of the superior trans
portation there and partly because the
Germans allowed the Chinese compra-
dors two per cent. for purchasing il,
whereas in Chefoo only one per cent
was allowed.
Sixty per cent. of the straw braid
goes 10 America The Shantung silk
trade still goes TO ChefOo. Other great
arcles of export are beans and pea
nuts and oils extracted from them.
is bean cake, which is used as ferti-
lizer and as feed for cattle. 1t in
creases the butter fat in the milk of
Chinese cows fed on it from two and
half per cent. 10 seven or eight per
cent 1t might not give equal increase
in the COWS of America, because the
Chinese cows are poor stock, seldom
giving more than a quart of milk a
day.
Among possible imports are cold
storage plants and products. Some
COLD storage meats are already being
brought in from Australia. Timber
for coal mines might also be brought
in. II is now brought in from Japan.
The Shantung mines last year yielded
$4,000 tons of coal, useful for domes-
tic purposes but of little value for
steam Iron mines are as yet little de-
veloped because of the lack of coke.
The total trade of the colony last
year was sS0.00O.O00. Very little of
this is really the trade of Tsingtau
1t is the trade that goes through
Tsingtau to the hinterland.
The trade of China may be divided
into three classes-Q) that for the
25.0O0 Europeans who live in China,
who buy the Identical things that Eu-
rOpeans everywhere want; (2) the trade
of the high-class Chinese, the literati,
the merchant class and the official
class, who want many of the kinds Of
goods desired by Europeans and are
able 10 pay for them: of these there
are between three and four millions;
C3) the trade of the 430,OooeO0 common |
people OF the Empire, who want every |
thing that is a little better and a |
little cheaper than the same class of !
goods made by themselves.
The best way to improve trade con-
iitions is personal investigation. There
should either be Commercial Com
missioner to travel throughout China
1r Commercial Attache. Great Brit
ain has a Commissioner, Sir Alexander
dOting whose reports are looked to By
the whole world. Following the work
1f such a commissioner must be in
Eestigation by expert agents famil-
ar with each trade. The Chinese have
put vague ideas Of what they want
md must be educated Catalogues are
If no value whatever. Personal repre-
;entation is the important thing. The
Chinese are anxious to engage in man
lfacturing and therefore there IS an
opening for manufacturing plants Of
III kinds But in order to sell them
here must be personal representatives
'apable Of showing the Chinese every
hing; there must constructing en-
yineers
Americans won't cater to the needs
If the Chinese. In this they are ex-
,elled by the British and the Germans.
The American Oil Company found the
'ale Of oil prohibited in whole regions
because the Chinese used bottle with
/ string in It for a wick as a lamp
md the danger Of fire was so great
nat their use had to be prohibited
The company Immediately secured the
manufacture OF a cheap lamp which,
,himney, wick and all. they sold for
even cents Mexican. less than It cost
hem But by doing this they saved
he market for their oil.
Americans expect to be paid cash.
British give from three to six months
,redit- Germans give longer credits
-et
In the matter Of packing the Amer
cans are behind the British and the d
Germans. Goods should be packed in
about the size Of two oil tins.
md 50 well that they can stand the ,
raTei they must stand before reaching I
he interior carried by coolies, by
and by Peking carts"
A vote OF thanks. was rendered Mr.. 3,
tracey on motion oAMr. F. A schaefer
ThO made very graceful speech. II
8fr. and Mrs. c. B. Wells Of Wal
uku. with their daughter, returned By