Page 672 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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matches, piece-goods, glass and porcclainware. Their exports, such as, oil seeds
gum, and cotton seed also increased, though they included less opium than lust
year.

(it) Dutch.—Ten steamers of the Silver Java Pacific line, as compared with
three in 1939, raised their imports from 1,592 tons to 5,314 tons, chiefly sugar and
tea. Their exports were again small.

(tii) United States of America.—Ten steamers, as opposed to three last year,
brought 420 tons of general merchandise (including a number of wireless sets)
and 257 cars (Buick, Dodge, Chevrolet, Fords, etc.). They also carried some
exports.

Eight of these ships belonged to the Isthmian line, one to the Kerr line, and
one to the Isbrandsen Moller line, which is understood to be starting a regular
service to tho Gulf.
(iv) Italian.—Up to the Italy's entry into the war, seven Lloyd Triestino
ships had called, importing 1,145 tons (sugar, paper, medicines, thread, electric
goods, etc.) and exporting 2,953 tons, largely gum and linseed, in 1939 there were
no exports in Italian ships.

(v) Egyptian.—At the end of the year one ship called at Bushire and landed
a large quantity of Egyptian sugar.

Opium—The following shipments were made in 1940 :—

February 250 cases for Macao.
March .. 100 „ „ Singapore.

August 200 „ „ Macao.
200 „ „ Batavia.
September 166 „ „ Batavia.

276 „ „ Singapore.
October 500 „ „ Far East.
November 500 „ „ Far East.

450 „ „ Macao.
50 ,, ,, London.

2,712

All except 1,000 cases shipped by Japanese steamers in October and November
were reported to have been for legitimate consumption. The value of a case of
opium (weighing 160 lbs.), is reported to have risen from £120 in 1939 to £300 in
October 1940. 4,755 cases were exported in 1938 and 7,335 in 1939. The
decrease in opium shipments this year may be attributed to smaller demands from
J apan, and possibly to lack of stocks after the big sales of last year. 1