RECP
C.0
2956
Rad 19 Feb 94
90
By Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
Question 12.
Colony's
About sixth of revenue is from Opium. If the Opium revenue were extinguished, the deficiency could probably be raised otherwise, but in order to do so it would almost certainly be necessary to abolish the freedom of the port, and to impose import duties. It has been considered by some such a step contrary to the obligations of the spirit of the treaty under which Hongkong was ceded by China; and however that may be, the abolition of the freedom of the port would be a very unpopular measure.