Enol, No. 3,
Copy.
Hon. Mr. E. A. Hawatt,
Chairman,
HongKong, 5th May, 1910.
175
Dear Sir,
HongKong General Chamber of Commero:
We beg to enclose copies of 3 proclamations issued by the
Opium Bureau at Canton.
You will observe therefrom that from the lat day of the 4th
Hoon (1.e. the 9th instant), the Chinese Authorities intend levying a
heavy tax on raw opiw, amounting to no less than $ 300, per chest,
which is a flagrant violation of the Additional Artioles of the CheToo
Convention, according to which no taxes whatsoever can be levied on
opium while in transit from the Fort of entry to the place of consump-
tion. The levying of this tax is farmed to one Kwong Wing Yuen, who
will collect it from all the opium dealers, and as it is to be imposed
on raw onium at the port of entry, the same opium could be taxed over
and over again while passing through the hands of the different grades
of dealers before it reaches the actual consumer, It was obviously
with the intention of guarding againat such an abuse that the proviso
referred to was inserted in the above Convention,
This illegal tax, if allowed to be imposed, will be a very
heavy burden on the trade, and we cannot too strongly protest against
this high-banded sotion on the part of the Canton Authorities. AB &
matter of fact, it has already had the effect of creating a soare among
the dealers here, and as a consequence the market is demoralised, and
deliveries have fallen off considerably,
Under the circumstances, we sinoprely trust that the Commit-
tee of the Chamber will take such steps as may be necessary for the
protection of our interesta.
We are, &0.,
DAVID SASSOON & CO. MID.,
(8gd.)
R. Joseph, Manager,
#
E. D. Bassoon & Co..
E. Pabaney.
(Sgd.) J. R. Michael & Co.,
•
S. J David & Co.,
(Sgd.) C. Falanjee & Co.,
#
H. M. H. Nemazee,
"
愁。 F
E. Ellias.
P. P. Talati.