4.
from which amount must be deducted the oahu of the advantages gained by the junks in punchasing at the,
at the port of discharge and the profit of the Hongkong retacter. Heaving
no certain data on which to calculate,
amounts must be conjectural.
these
The quantity sold in the looting monthly by retail may perhaps be estimated at 80 chests, the price of smuggling may be estimated at $ 30. a Chest, the propt of the intermediate dealer at 20¢ a chest, the value
of the aforesaid advanta
antages at 10% a Chest and the profit of the Honghong dealer also at 10% a chest. Assuming these amounts to be correct, 1,560 $ ammth, for 19% $ a chest) the present - taxe, is 10% # perchest less than that,
the
Native.
The
+ paid by
e purchaser in his own Country .
the number.
- greater the mun
of junks
that
resort to the Colony, the Greater will be the quantity of opium sold and the greater
the tuxe which the dealers can
efford to
Y
3:
180
pay. It is therefore the obvious interest of the
Government - considered murely.
as
to the question
revenue to encourage the resort of traders. 2. Under the existing system,
tem the sole
prinlege of selling Opium by retail within the Colony or its waters, whether for exportation=
Colonial consun.
Consumption, is
sold an
annually by
ረን
public auction to one person, who finds security for the payment of the purchase money. ly instalments . He proposes of Crisse to enrich himself as much as possible within the year. without reference to the future. As he has no competition to fear, he raises the price of opinion to the highest point at which he can find purchasers, evasion and su
Smuggling increase in - proportion, and he is compelled to
support a large preventive establishment, the expense of which must also be an
of the price.
But smuggling
ingredient
can be conducted
mo
with so much facility that no exertions of the