53
plan,
for suggesting the fiben now to be adopted, which is to take effect
without delays
Jam not aware that a
Case ana
logous to
our own is to
be found in the world. There
are mo
base
an
dents on which to
presedents
- argument for or against the course which has been assumed by the Chinese Government, and
it must be considered on its merits.
The orders
given
relate only to the collection of r duty on Opium conveyed in. Chinese bottoms from Hong Kong, and this duty is collected by the Chinese Customs, the Foreign
(
Customs bring alone concerned
with the duties leviable,
OZ
goods
imported and exported in Foreign
bottoms.
It is calculated that about thirty thousand Chests of Opium
this
are annually smuggled from Port into the neighbouring Chinese Territory,
and it is with a view of
increasing the legitimate
revenue
of the Empire by the duty to be collected from this lurge amount. of Opium that the present orders__ have been issued for drawing tightly the line of blockade round the Island: The Government -admits its inability to collect its
Anore
Î