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! would give the Chinese authorities a fair opportunity of developing the growth of their own opium, much to the detriment of the British Government.
12. About one seventh, I do not at present see any other means of raising additional revenue. They would consider the necessity of making up the deficit by other taxation as unjust.
13. I do not feel competent to answer this question.
14. In much the same way as a tobacco smoker. They do not usually or often take it, in the first instance to allay physical pain, although it is extensively used by the Chinese and Asiatic races for medicinal purposes.
15. The cases are rare.
16. No.
14. The stoppage of the opium-trade would tell seriously on the already depressed condition of trade in this Colony. Many Indian and Chinese firms, who by their existence, contribute indirectly to the other sources of the revenue of the Colony and employ much labour, both domestically and otherwise. The closing of these firms would naturally throw many Chinese out of employment. I need hardly add that the Indian revenue...