Ripon in Sir C. B. H. Mitchell's Despatch No. 70 of the 8th.
83.
773.
March, 1898
5.
48
It was suggested to the Opium Farmer that a compromise might be arrived at by his licensing the dealers in pills and wine. This he did not see his way to agree to, but he offered to open shops himself and supply the public with the pills and wine (which are for the most part imported from Canton) at 20% less than the selling price of an equal weight of Prepared Opium.
He also offered to supply free of charge opium pills and wine to the Tung Wa Hospital for the treatment of in-patients.
6.
These offers of the Farmer were stated on the 2nd reading of the Bill in May last as concessions which the Government would see made, and Mr. May further undertook to endeavour to arrange for the transit in bond of pills and wine imported for export, a trade which appears to be somewhat considerable.
The second reading was carried against the dissentient votes of the two Chinese Members and Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C.
7.
Further consideration of the questions convinced Mr. May that the best way of dealing with the matter would be for Government to license all dealers, whatever their nationality, in medicines containing opium, for evidence was not wanting that European Druggists, many of whom have Chinese Departments of their businesses engaged in a considerable trade in compounds of opium to which the specious name of anti-opium medicines was given.
8.
A revised Bill on these lines was submitted to