Transportation facilities between the United States and the port of Karachi in Sind are fairly satisfactory in normal times. The steamers of the American and Indian line from New York call at Karachi either before or after going to Bombay. The number of these steamers in a year depends on the amount of cargo offering, but there is usually at least one steamer per month; the service has been very irregular since the war, however.

Prior to the war the freight rate on cotton goods in bales from New York to Karachi was 22 shillings 6 pence ($5.47) per 40 cubic feet; the rate on goods packed in cases was 30 shillings ($7.30) per 40 cubic feet. In the last two years the rates have greatly increased and in the fall of 1916 they were quoted at $24 per 40 cubic feet plus 20 per cent on goods shipped via the Suez Canal and plus 10 per cent on shipments via the Cape of Good Hope. This was the rate on goods in bales; the rate on goods in cases was $30.50 plus 20 per cent or 10 per cent according to the routing of the shipment. Since these rates were quoted there has been a further advance of about 20 to 25 per cent. The high cost of freight, marine insurance, and war risk has been a serious handicap to the development of American trade in Sind, as it has been in our trade with other parts of India. Frequently the freight and insurance charges have amounted to 30, 40, and in some cases to 50 or 75 per cent of the value of the goods. Although the rates from other foreign ports to Karachi have also increased since the war, they have not advanced to the same extent as the rates from New York. Before the war the freight rate from Liverpool to Karachi was 30 shillings ($7.30) per 40 cubic feet plus 10 per cent, less 10 per cent; in March, 1917, the rate was 60 shillings ($14.60) per 40 cubic feet plus 10 per cent, less 10 per cent. The rate from Glasgow to Karachi was 31 shillings 8 pence ($7.70) per 40 cubic feet before the war; the present rate is 55 shillings ($15.38).

SUGGESTIONS TO AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS.

The cotton-goods trade of Sind, as of other parts of India, can only be reached by active, persistent efforts to produce the goods that are largely in demand and by providing the proper facilities for introducing them into the market. With the single exception of grey drills, American goods are entirely unknown to the importers and dealers. But the large trade in this one line has established for us a high reputation for quality and this would be a valuable asset in the sale of other kinds of goods. While we do not manufacture many of the cloths that the market requires, such as white mulls and nainsooks, printed jeans, Turkey-red shirtings, cambrics, and twills, there are other lines, particularly printed shirtings and fancy white and colored goods, that offer immediate opportunities to American cotton-goods manufacturers.

It is very important that representatives of American firms who come to India should visit Karachi, which is only two days by sea from Bombay. A thorough canvass of the market would undoubtedly result in the placing of a number of trial orders by the importers and dealers, and if the original efforts should be properly followed up our share in the trade could be substantially increased.

Some business can be done by correspondence, but it is well to bear in mind, in this connection, the suggestions that have been offered in

previous reports on other markets in India. Complete information regarding the width, length of piece, packing, and the patterns of printed and colored goods should be given in the first communication. Whenever possible prices should be quoted c. i. f. Karachi, but if this is not practicable the cubic dimensions of bales or cases and the freight rate ruling at the time samples are submitted should be clearly stated. Everything possible should be done to facilitate transactions with the importer and enable him to figure out the cost of the goods landed at Karachi. It must be remembered that English and Japanese goods are handled by firms established in Karachi with branches or buying agents in the country of production and it will be impossible to compete successfully in the trade unless we can make it easy for the importers to buy American goods.

The market deserves attention because it is one of the most important in India. The present prospects point to a steady expansion in the demand for cotton goods, not alone in those markets which Karachi has hitherto served, but in Persia, Mesopotamia, and adjacent regions, which are likely to enter upon a period of unusual development as a result of the present war. In some respects Karachi is a more promising market than any other port in India because of the latent possibilities for economic progress in the hinterland for which it serves as a port of entry. The present is an opportune time for American manufacturers to establish connections with the importers and thus lay the foundations for a substantial and permanent trade

Lists of the principal importers of cotton goods at Bombay and Karachi, transmitted with the foregoing report, may be procured from the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce or its branch and cooperative offices. Refer to file 1186.

APPENDIX.

LIST OF SAMPLES.

The following list describes samples, transmitted with the foregoing reports, that have been filed in the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce and will be loaned upon application to interested persons and firms. These samples represent the principal lines of cotton goods imported in large quantities into the Bombay Presidency in normal times. Since the outbreak of the war imports have fallen off considerably and have been so irregular that it has been impossible to secure cost prices in many cases. Moreover, frequent fluctuations in the cost of the raw material and in freight rates (all goods being quoted c. i. f.) have resulted in almost constant changes in the quotations of manufacturers, which have in several instances varied as much as 1 cent a yard in one month. It has therefore been thought advisable, under these abnormal conditions, to give the ruling bazaar prices of the goods which the samples represent. For a full explanation of the term "bazaar price" see the note on page 27. In brief, it is the price at which the large native dealer or distributer, who buys from the importer, sells to other dealers. Ordinarily, and based on average profits, the price of goods c. i. f. Bombay or Karachi (customs duty unpaid) is approximately 8 per cent less than the bazaar price, but the amount of the intermediate expenses and profits necessarily varies a great deal, particularly at the present time when there is considerable speculation in the market. In practically every line the bazaar prices are considerably below the replacement cost of similar goods, because the bazaar prices are on goods in stock or which were purchased before the high price of cotton in the fall of 1916. In view of these various circumstances, too much emphasis should not be placed on the prices quoted on the samples, as they are not a reliable guide to present values. Samples of grey and white piece goods from Bombay were collected in November and December, 1916, and of colored, printed, and dyed goods in January and February, 1917; all samples from Karachi were collected in March, 1917.

Prices in Indian currency are expressed thus: Re. 1/8 (1 rupee 8 annas), Rs. 9/4/6 (9 rupees 4 annas 6 pies). One rupee is equal to 32.44 cents in United States currency. There are 16 annas in a rupee and 12 pies in an anna.

SAMPLES COLLECTED IN BOMBAY.

Sample 1.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 37 inches wide; 56 by 40 construction; 6 pounds per piece of 37/37 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 7/1/6 ($2.301) per piece.

Sample 2.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 37 inches wide; 64 by 44 construction; 6 pounds per piece of 37/374 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 7/9 ($2.453) per piece.

Sample 3.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 43 inches wide; 54 by 42 (nominally 56 by 44) construction; 8 pounds per piece of 39 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/4/6 ($2.686) per piece.

Sample 4.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 44 inches wide; 52 by 48 construction; 8 pounds per piece of 39 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/12 ($2.838) per piece.

Sample 5.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 44 inches wide; 56 by 44 construction; 8 pounds per piece of 38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 9 ($2.919) per piece. Sample 6.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 44 inches wide; 54 by 48 construction; 8 pounds per piece of 38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 9/6 ($3.041) per piece. Sample 7.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 33 inches wide; 64 by 56 construction; 7 pounds per piece of 37/374 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 6/7/6 ($2.098) per piece.

Sample 8.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 39 inches wide; 64 by 48 construction; 81 pounds per piece of 37/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/4 ($2.676) per piece. Sample 9.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 39 inches wide; 62 by 47 (nominally 64 by 48) construction; 8 pounds per piece of 37/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/8 ($2.757) per piece.

Sample 10.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 41 inches wide; 76 by 72 construction; 14 pounds per piece of 37/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 12/10 ($4.10) per piece.

Sample 11.-Grey shirting; manufactured in England; 38 inches wide; 72 by 72 construction; 9 pounds per piece of 38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 13/8 ($4.379) per piece. Sample 12.-Grey shirting; manufactured in Japan; 38 inches wide; 60 by 60 construction; 6 pounds 4 ounces per piece of 38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/4 ($2.676) per piece.

Sample 13.-Grey shirting; manufactured in Japan; 44 inches wide; 60 by 60 construction; 7 pounds 2 ounces per piece of 38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 9/10 ($3.12) per piece.

Sample 14.-Grey shirting; manufactured in Japan; 44 inches wide; 60 by 58 construction; 8 pounds 10 ounces per piece of 37/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 11/2 ($3.608) per piece.

Sample 15.-Grey shirting; manufactured in Japan; 44 inches wide; 72 by 72 construction; 7 pounds 6 ounces per piece of 37/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 11/8 ($3.73) per piece.

Sample 16.-Grey shirting: manufactured in Japan; 44 inches wide; 72 by 72 construction; 10 pounds 8 ounces per piece of 38/38 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 11/8 ($3.73) per piece.

Sample 17.-Grey jaconet; manufactured in England; 40 inches wide; 60 by 54 construction; 22/221 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 4/8 ($1.459) per piece.

Sample 18.-Grey jaconet; manufactured in England; 44 inches wide; 58 by 44 construction; 22/221 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 4/8 ($1.459) per piece. Sample 19.-Grey mull; manufactured in England; 29 inches wide; 32 by 20 construction; 18 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Re. 1/3/6 (39.52 cents) per piece. Sample 20.-Grey mull; manufactured in England; 29 inches wide; 36 by 20 construction; 18 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Re. 1/4/3 (41.05 cents) per piece.

Sample 21.-Grey mull; manufactured in England; 44 inches wide; 52 by 44 construction; 20 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 3/2 ($1.913) per piece.

Sample 22.-Grey drill; manufactured in Japan; 29 inches wide; 68 by 48 construction; 14 pounds 7 ounces per piece of 40 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 13 ($4.217) per piece.

Sample 23.-Grey jean; manufactured in Japan; 29/30 inches wide; 92 by 60 construction; 13 pounds per piece of 40 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 12/12 ($4.136) per piece. Sample 24.-Grey jean; manufactured in Japan; 29/30 inches wide; 96 by 64 construction; 8 pounds 12 ounces per piece of 30 yards. Bazaar price, Rs. 10/2 ($3.28) per piece. Sample 25.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 32 inches wide; 53 by 42 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 8/2 ($2.64) per piece. Sample 26.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 32 inches wide; 60 by 52 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 10/7 ($3.386) per piece. Sample 27.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 33 inches wide; 61 by 58 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 11/1/6 ($3.599) per piece. Sample 28.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 33 inches wide; 70 by 66 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 11/13 ($3.832) per piece. Sample 29.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 33 inches wide; 78 by 70 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 12/3 ($3.954) per piece. Sample 30.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 34 inches wide; 76 by 64 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 13 ($4.21) per piece. Sample $1.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 35 inches wide; 77 by 76 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 14 ($4.12) per piece.

Sample 32.-White shirting; manufactured in England; 32/33 inches wide; 84 by 84 construction; 42 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 16 ($5.19) per piece.

Sample 33.-White shirting; manufactured in Holland; 36 inches wide; 102 by 102 construction; 40 yards per piece. Bazaar price, Rs. 17 ($5.51) per piece.