'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR, 1910-1911' [‎220r] (23/150)

igio - 19 11 ^ SUMMARY.
a speciality of agricultural implements, especially iron ploughs and labour-saving
machines, and is reported to be doing a good business. For the most part
however, industrial enterprises of this character remain in the stage of experiment
and are still faced with the difficulties incidental to new undertakings. The
mining industry of the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. is comparatively small, and it has
experienced a serious set back by the practical closing down of the Gadag gold
field in the Dharwar district. The manganese mines of Belgaum also yielded no
output during the year. There was some prospecting activity in Ratndgiri and
the opening of the Champaner-Shivrajpur light railway gave a stimulus to
manganese mining in the Panch Mahals.
36. ^ * s satisfactory to record that the current of trade revival which set Trade:
in during the year 1909-1910 continued with undiminished force throughout the
year under review. The fa\ourable conditions noted in 1909”^910 were again
present. The season was generally good, prices of agricultural produce and
especially of cotton remained at a high level, and the natural re-action towards
increased expenditure after the Sinhast period had not fully spent itself in the
previous year. Under these influences the total value of the sea-borne trade of the
Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. proper increased by 13 per cent, and reached .the unprecedented
figure of Rs. 190 crores. A noteworthy feature of the year is the increase amount
ing to nearly double in the net consumption of gold bullion. The expansion in
imports is, however, nearly general, the only considerable exceptions appearing
in imports of textile machinery (which were affected by the continued depression
in the cotton industry) and of cotton twist and yarn. Foreign exports increased
by Rs. 7'89 crores, but nearly half of the increase is due to the rise in price of
raw cotton, shipments of which were actually less in quantity than in the
preceding year. An advance of 24 per cent, in re-exports of foreign
merchandise is a satisfactory sign of renewed trade activity between Bombay
and ports on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the East African littoral. The land trade
of the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. proper rose in value by 5'8 per cent, to a total of 121
crores. The aggregate sea-borne trade of Sind shows a net increase in value
of 2J per cent. In point of distribution of trade the United Kingdom and
British possessions remain in practically the same position as in the year
1909-1910. Their combined share in the trade of Bombay was 43*15 per cent.,
while that of the United Kingdom alone was 31*69 per cent, or *5 per
cent, more than in the previous year. In comparison, the trade of Bombay with
the countries of continental Europe shows a larger proportionate increase effected
chiefly at the expense of China and Japan. Exports to continental countries
expanded by no less than 37 per cent, and the aggregate share of these
countries rose from 27 to nearly 32 per cent, of the total trade of the port.
The private foreign trade of Bombay increased in aggregate value from 130 Bombay,
to 148^- crores of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . The value of imports was 80 crores. Out of these
32^ crores represent imports of gold and silver, showing an advance compared
with the previous year of nearly 10 per cent, due to increased receipts of gold
bullion, which expanded by no less than 50 per cent. Imports of foreign
merchandise increased by 19 per cent., and the total reached of 47 crores was
highest figure yet recorded. More than half of these imports consists of
manufactured and partly manufactured articles. Imports of cotton manufactures
and of twist and yarn were valued at 12 crores and one crore Equivalent to ten million, or one hundred lakhs. Used especially in connection with money (rupees). respectively.
Trade in imported yarn shows a marked decrease of 38 per cent., but the impor
tations in 1909-1910 were exceptionally heavy and there is reason to believe that
these stocks had mostly passed into consumption by the close of the year under
review. On the other hand imports of cotton piece-goods show an increase of
2 2 per cent, in quantity and 32 per cent, in value. The effect of the recently
B 963—5 s
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