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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[23144]
No. 1.
[July 9.]
SECTION 1.
229
Question asked in the House of Commons, July 9, 1907.
Mr. Mitchell-Thomson,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government undertook to meet the expenses of the conservancy works on the River Huangpu and the bar at Woosung by an annual grant of 460,000 taels, for the provision of which the entire opium revenues of Szechuan and Suchow were earmarked; what provision, if any, has been made, since the issue of the Edict prohibiting the opium traffic, for the continuance of the grant; and whether the completion of the work is regarded by His Majesty's Government as assured.
Answer.
The reply to the first part is in the affirmative. The Chinese Government have not, since the promulgation of the Opium Decree, proposed to furnish any additional security for the purpose named, but it must be borne in mind that ten years have been allowed for the extinction of the traffic, and that meanwhile the revenue is being collected. Moreover, in the Agreement between China and the Powers on the subject it is stipulated that if the security mentioned by the honourable Member becomes insufficient she must provide the balance from other sources. The latest report- namely, that for the September quarter of 1906-that has been received shows that a satisfactory beginning has been made with the work, and I have, so far, no reason to doubt that it will be completed in due time.
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