603
No 14 11 dated Siinla the 11th September 1885.
From MM Durrand Eagle CS! day to the Govt of India, Foreign Dep:
To & Bill's Charge & Affaires Pekin
I am directed to address you on the subject of the duties imposed by the Govt of China on opium.
Messrs Jardine, Skinner & Co: Calcutta, has recently addressed a letter to the Govt of India, making certain suggestions connected with the collection of the Chinese duty and tax on Opium.
A copy is annexed. In Keswick's report is the substance of certain conversations between his brother in China and certain high Chinese Officials.
3. The difficulty which the Chinese have always experienced in preventing smuggling, and in securing the payment of the duty and tax on opium imported from India is stated, and the belief is expressed that the difficulty will not disappear when the Convention recently concluded between the British and Chinese Govt comes into operation.
To secure a fairly certain collection of the Chinese opium revenue it is considered necessary to obtain the control of the opium exported from India until the duty and tax are collected, and it is held that this could only be obtained by agreement with the Govt of India.
The basis of an agreement is suggested.
Treasury