The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-17
FAR EASTERN TRADE NOTES.

While unrefined glue and glue stocks
are extensively found In China no effort
has as yet been made to refine glue on
any large scale, and a considerable guam
tity Is still imported. Glue imports into
China during 1917 amounted to 1884,
500 pounds, valued at $292,6o5. Dur
/ Ing 1918 the United States exported to
China 40b,S44 pounds of glue, valued at
500, 202.
1t Is obvious that automobiles cannot
be sold In Chinese cities unless these
cities have roads on which the motor
cars can operate. The results already
obtained, however, In localities having
good roads have caused the suggestion
to be made In China that a combination
OF motor car companies might advance
capital to the provincial Governments to
be used In road construction.
A modern plant is to be erected in
the harbor of Melbourne, Australia, for
the handling of coal, which is to replace
the present primitive method of hand
filled baskets, which are hoisted out Of
the steamships hold by winches. The
plant when completed will consist of
| four electrical hoists with grab buckets
which pick UP four or five tons of coal
at a time and deliver II to mechanically
operated conveyers, which In turn carry
1t to great storage bins of 10000 tons
capacity, from which the coal is sent
in chutes to coal trucks.
| 1t Is said that the cost OF living in
the Commonwealth of Australia has in
creased 46 per cent. since 1911. In June
of the present year it required S6.93 to
buy what could have been purchased in
1911 for S4.76.
| An American provision firm states
that It has a client at Tientsin. China,
who is in a position to supply large
quantities of beef, eggs, poultry, pota-
toes and various other products to this
country, but the lack of vessels plying
the Pacific with proper refrigeration
space presents the only obstacle to the
Importation of perishable foods.
A firm in Melbourne, Australia. Is pro-
ducing a considerable quantity of "adeps
lamae" or wool grease. which is similar
to lanoline, and they are prepared to
increase their plant and produce unlim-
tied quantities II there Is a market for
It in the United tSates The name and
address Of the producer may be obtained
from the Far Eastern Division.
There has been a continued improve
ment in the piece goods trade of Shang-
hal and a heavy demand from France
and America for raw silk.
There is a good demand for laundry
soap in the Straits Settlements, even
though large quantities are manufac.
tured locally and sold cheap. No i'm.
port duty is levied on this article. and
the value of soap imports for 1915
amounted to approximately s1.000,000.
The Australian Government plans &c
spend large sum of money on the con-
struction of 100000 "war service homes
for returned soldiers, and the Commits
sioner of War Service Homes. Melbourne
Australia, who Is in charge OF the build
ing plans, is DESTROYS of obtaining quota
tions on doors and sashes.
There is strong demand in Canton
China, for good qualities OF American
dyes in scarlet, Dianil blue, green ir
crystals. cosmos magenta, phloxine and
carthamine.
The zinc refining industry in Japar
has shown a revival. and the last quo.
ltations received in this country showed
| a marked increase in the prices received
several months ago.
The price of sugar in Japan rose
steadily during the first part OF July
| and in the middle of that month II was
quoted at $3.50 a 100 kin. and molasse!
sold at S2S a 100 kin. (Kin equals
l32277 pounds.) Since that date the
price of sugar has shown a downward
tendency, although no further decline |:
| expected at present
Except the duties imposed on impor'
tations OF liquors, opium, cigars, ciga
rettes, tobaccos and petroleums. no i'm
mort duties are at present levied in thu
Straits Settlements.
The Colonial Government of the Dutcl
East Indies proposes to build 10000
miles of railways during the next fifteel
or twenty years. This Is only possible
colonial officials say. by the investmen
Of American capital and with the as
sistance Of American engineers.
The United States Trade Commits
sioner at Melbourne. Australia, main
? tains a file of American agencies II
, Australia as a trade directory for pros
| pective purchasers. He would be please'
, to receive from American manufacturer
notices Of appointments of Australian
agents as this enables him to handl
, orders that might otherwise go else
where.