532
auctioned the Brant, the sole privilege of boiling and preparing opium and of selling and retailing opium boiled or prepared; and in default of anyone holding such privilege, licenses may be granted by Government authorizing the holders to boil and prepare and to sell and retail opium when prepared. By issuing licenses to individuals, it may lead to a Monopoly. The Government therefore undertakes the direct control and supervision of the supply of opium to the public, just as it does with respect to the sale of spirituous liquors here or in Great Britain.
It has unwillingly been compelled to adopt this alternative course, and the doing so has been a problem which it has hitherto been able to avoid, as to the amount that the privilege hitherto granted has enabled the farmers to make out of the preparation and sale of opium.
It has been the interest of the opium farmers to give misleading information. The results of the experiment tried since the 7th of this month afford every reason to believe that the Farm has hitherto been sold at a low...