IT
6
consumers to whom the prohibitive policy does not apply (ie., Indians and Chinese), and to be illegally retailed by them to the excluded Burman. During the last few years this question had been seriously taken up. Measures had been adopted to ascertain the true consumption of individual consumers, and to limit their supplies to their own personal requirements. The effect of this was traceable in the decline of consumption since 1904-5. Reviewing the whole experiment, he believed that in Upper Burmah the opium habit had been kept well in hand. In Lower Burmalı success appeared to be in sight. It remained, however, to be seen whether the further steps now being taken in the two Bengals, as well as in Burmah, would effectively meet the difficulty arising from smuggling. It was neccessarily difficult to produce precise statistical evidence as to the proportion of Burmans who were actually, though illegally, consumers of opium, but the gaol statistics would serve to throw some light on the point. In the ten years preceding the introduction of the policy of prohibition the average percentage of consumers among the gaol population had been 20:39. In the first eight years of prohibition the average percentage fell to 1869, the general tendency being downward, though there was a slight rise in the middle of the period. In the four years which followed the improvement of the original of arrangements early in 1902, the average fell to 12.8 per cent., and in 1905, the latest year for which he was able to produce the figures, it stood at 12:12.
Continuing, Mr. Brunyate referred to the important revenue derived from the use and export of opium by the native States in Central India and Rajputana, and by the Indian Government. The bulk of the revenue derived by native States from opium was due to the assessment, at relatively high rates, of land capable of producing the poppy. There was also a large number of miscellaneous taxes, some of which, however, yielded only small amounts. The Indian Government derived a revenue of nearly 1,000,000l. a-year from the use of opium within India itself, from which there must be deducted such share of the cost of the general excise establishments as might he considered attributable to the administration of opium. The total revenue derived from exports during the last two or three years, before reductions began to be effected in co-operation with China, had been about 3,750,000 annually, of which a little under 3,000,0001, might be regarded as due to the exports to China. The latter figure would be somewhat lower were a longer period taken in calculating the average.
Mr. Brunyate concluded his explanatory statement by quoting the words in which his Excellency the Earl of Minto, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, had publicly referred to the intended co-operation with China on its announcement in connection with the discussion of the Budget statement of the Indian Government in March 1907:~-
"At first sight I grant that China's proposals are very alarming as to their possible effects on the Indian revenues. But I am afraid I am unable to follow the" "sweeping assumption that India is about to be sacrificed for the pleasure of a few faddists. Neither do I think we are entitled to doubt the good faith of the Chinese Government as to the objects of their proposals. Papers which I have had recently before me indicate every intention on the part of China to reduce with a strong hand the consumption of opium and the growth of the poppy in her own territory. I am no opium faddist. I quite admit the hardship a proscription of opium would entail on those who use it in moderation, as many in this country do, and I am well aware of the difficulties surrounding any attempt to reduce its production.
"But there is no doubt throughout the whole civilized world a feeling of disgust at the demoralizing effect of the opium habit in excess. It is a feeling in which we cannot but share. "We could not with any self-respect refuse to assist China on the grounds of loss of revenue to India
"I admit that the task China has set herself may be greater than she can accom- plish, and that we have a perfect right to require that, in agreeing to the reduction of imports from India, we should be satisfied of the results of China's efforts to reduce her own internal opium production. But notwithstanding the prospect of a heavy loss in revenue, I hope we may accept" the "view that, provided the transition state through which we must pass is spread over a sufficient number of years, we need apprebend no financial disaster."
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C.O.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[16941]
446
17912
[May 4.]
RECO
REGP 27 MAY 00
SECTION 1.
No. 1.
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received May 4.)
Sir,
India Office, May 4, 1909. WITH reference to your letter dated the 17th ultimo, inclosing a copy of a despatch from Sir C. Clementi Sraith relative to the International Opium Commission, I am directed to say that Viscount Morley concurs in Sir E. Grey's proposal to approve the proceedings of the British Delegates and to thank them for their services.
I am also to add that his Lordship agrees in the proposals made in the penultimate paragraph of letter under reply.
your
[2274 d-1]
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
A. GODLEY.
0