Confidential.
for 75096
attached sat end.
Enclosure
2.
REC REP 28 UCT 00
79
Precis.
The plan for handing over the Opium Farm to the Chinese Government having been found impracticable (Secretary of State informed, para 9 of Conf Desp. 7/8/99.) & a
temporary agreement having been made with the Opium
Farmer, the Bill of 8/6/99,representing what the Hongkong Government was prepared to do, was drawn up.
This Bill suggested the following changes in the
existing law, in order to carry out the pledges given to the
Chinese Government.
(1)With the exception of samples to the
extent of two taels, no person was to be allowed to have
loose opium in his possession, except that the opium Farmer might have loose opium in an opium boiling establishment,
to be approved by the Governor in Council. (Previously the
Opium Farmer & licensed retail dealers had been allowed
such loose opium: and others were allowed it, if they
held a certificate of purchase from a licensee, or an
official Export permit.)
(2) All opium landed in the Colony to be
stored in a licensed warehouse, under the control of the
Superintendant of Imports & Exports. (Previously importers
had been allowed to obtain an import permit & take the
opium where they liked, the place to which it was taken,
however, being mentioned in the permit.)
(3) Whilst the old system of export permits
was to be retained, a duty of $110 per chest was to be
charged for the Chinese Government; & the master of any
vessel