S'EB 1, 1902.1 THE TROPICAi. AGEIOULTUKIST. 531 
II.— IMPORTS. 
ExcHANGK fluctuations during the year 
show demand remittance ranging from 1/4 i 
down to ]/.3 29/32. 30 d/s paper London on 
Colombo on the other hand was steady, 
highest rate being 1/3 13/10 and lowest 1/3 f. 
Money was easy, compared with preceding 
years, and more especially so for the last six 
months. Money at short call would only 
command 3 per cent, as the year closed. 
The past year was one of concern to im- 
porters, more especially from April to Sep- 
tember when the suspension of a number of 
traders in the Pettah gave cause for son)e 
alarm. Overtrading on the part of many 
dealers in 1900 was the cause of the deadlock ; 
but most of the stocks held against dis- 
honored bills are understood to be liquidated 
liy now, and it is hoped business during the 
current year will be better. It is thought that 
the experience of the past year of several ex- 
porters and Conunission Agents in Europe 
trading direct with the Pettah will curtail 
business of this kind in future. Du'ring the 
past year the Chetties owing to some dispute 
with the brokers of importing houses, refused 
to buy goods unless sellers accepted demand 
notes in payment of goods, in place of in notes 
at a fixed usance as had formerly been the 
custom of the trade. A compromise was 
arrived at, and those firms which prefer notes 
at a fixed usance obtain them readily enough 
from the Chetties. An Importers' Association 
was formed during the year with the object 
of furthering their interests. Some appear to 
be of opinion that a special Sub committee of 
the Chamber of Commerce on Imports would 
be sufficient to protect their interests. The 
greater the number of Assjciations or bodies 
the mercantile conmiunity is divided into, the 
less influence each can bring lo bear on mer- 
cantile affairs. 
Ci'TTON Goods— From the Customs Re- 
turns—which are now issued monthly to 
subscribers— we find that for the II months 
ending 30th November last, only 11,961 pack- 
ages of cotton goods were imported against 
19,542 during the corresponding period of 
the preceding year, or a shrinkage of 38 per 
cent. 
Locally the offtake has been comparatively 
small. The following are details of impor- 
tations of cotton goods for the past 11 months 
of the last 3 years : — 
1899. 1900. 1901. 
Grey Cottons ... 2.628 5,198 3,956 
White do ... 2,259 4,135 2,301 
Printed do ... 1,142 «35 1,344 
Dyed do ... 91 1,720 2,418 
Colored Woven do ,572 7,441 1,661 
Sundry CottODS ... 112 81 82 
Yarn Plain ... 1 30 48 
Do Dyed ... 171 102 148 
11,961 
15,976 19,542 
Cotton as the year opened was worth 5 
12/32 (Mid Uplands) and fell during the year 
to 44, but rose again to 4 9/16 before the year 
closed 
Prints. — A considei'able clearance of prints 
at reduced rates was reported at the close 
of the year. 
"Woolen Goods.— The importation of 
woolen gootis was oyerdonQ during the latteu 
part of 1900 and early last year, but the com- 
sumption of flannel and cloth of woolen and 
cotton mixture is increasing among Burghers 
and Natives, and if future importations are 
kept moderate, present stocks should be re- 
realised readily, although prices shewed an 
easier tendency during the latter half of the 
year. Importations for 1901 show a consider- 
able increase over 1900. 
Tobacco. —The consumption of tobacco has 
been heavy. For eleven months last year 
11,124 lb. were entered for home consumption 
against 6,519 lb. during the corresponding 
period of the previous year. The large force 
of troops and prisoners in Ceylon is no doubt 
responsible for the increase. The consump- 
tion of cigars also shows an increase. 
Malt Liquor and Spirits.— Here we have 
a large increase in quantities bonded and 
entered for home consumption. The figures 
from 1st January to 30th November are : — 
Entered for Home 
Bonded. consumption. 
1900 ... 14,637 pbgs. 12,978 pkg. 
1901 ... 18,176 „ 15,258 „ 
Increase 3,539 ,, Increase 2,275 „ 
The increase is chiefly on malt liquor in 
bulk for the use of European troops, and in 
cased gin and whisky. 
Wines. — Especiallj'^ French wines in cases 
show a considerable increase. 
Matches.— The prices of these remained 
fairly steady all the year, but for a short 
period they could be purchased for consider- 
ably under the laid down cost. According to the 
Customs returns the importations show a 
large falling-off compared with 1900. In the 
12 months of 1900, 287,484 gross were imported, 
of which 287,434 were entered for home con- 
sumption, whilst the first 11 months of 1901 
show importations amounting to 72,983 gross 
only, of which 72,833 were entered tor home 
consumption. The falling-olt" in importations 
may be attributed to large stocks having 
been carried over from 1900. 
Cemknt.— Here again the quantity imported 
in 1900 greatly exceeded that of 1901. In the 
12 months of 1900, 114,820 cwt were imported 
against 82,882 cwt for the first 11 months of 
1901. Prices were very firm, the greater part 
of the year, but towards the close they were 
from 7 to 10 per cent easier. 
METALS: Tea Lead. —Importers of this pos- 
sibly suffered some loss during the year, owing 
to the great drop which occured in values. 
Locally at the beginning of the year 4-oz. 
lead fetched R390 per ton, while at the close 
of the year it could be purchased for K2d0 
per ton. 
Bar Iron.— Prices here were lower at the 
close of the year than they were at the begin- 
ning by some 15 per cent, whilst the reduction 
in price which has taken place since January 
190j is about 50 per cenT. Although values 
are so much lower, the quantity imported 
in 1901 is not /ia//that of 1900. In 1900 no 
less than 2,806 tons were imported, against 
863 tons for the first 11 months of 1901. The 
reduction in price is more marked in Belgium 
than in Scotch or English brands. 
Angle and Swedish Iron.— Swedish iron 
dropped sopie '^'i pej,- vmi in valye dupio^ 
