157
address to the Legislature in closing the session
C
quoted.
The
may
be
The Opium Ordinance, as far as can be seen is fully realizing the anticipations of the Government in improving our friendly relations with China, whilst in no way injuring the interests of the honest trader. The Ordinance has been worked locally without, I believe, any friction or inconveniences to our own people, and the Chinese Commissioner of Customs informed me that smuggling has been effectually stopped.
Complaints on the part of the Merchants regarding increased duties imposed on certain articles have been met in a friendly and accommodating spirit by the Chinese Foreign Collectorate, and my despatches on the subject