93
calculated to render it inoperative. That Your Lordship did
not mean that a British Administrator should conform to
standards such as these, was of course sufficiently
obvious, and has since been categorically affirmed by the
Under Secretary of State in the House of Commons on July
28th. who informed the House that His Majesty's Government
"would act throughout on the advice they had obtained and
would obtain from the Governor".
5.
I realise therefore that Your
Lordship relies upon me to lay before you such considered
proposals as may give effect to the two objects in view
which I assume to be (a) to give such assistance to the
Chinese Government in its efforts to restrict the use of
Opium as may be feasible and (b) to take such measures
within the frontiers of this Colony as may prove to China
that we are no less anxious than her rulers are to restrict
the use of Opium, but that the means adopted to that end
should be such as will on the one hand be effective, and
on the other hand will not involve methods incompatible
with British ideas and justice.
6.
With reference to the first of
these objects (viz.:- to assist China) I claim (in the
Memorandum) that this Colony, which grows no Opium and is
merely