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pol, No. 4.
176
They
The Head Bureau for the suppression of Opium in the whole pro-
vince of Kwangtung bereby issue this notification as follows:- We have
obtained the sanction of His Excellency the Viceroy of Canton in the
tter of levying a tax on prepared opium in the issue of licences and
Wimits: the object is to make a thorough investigation into whether
restraint may be put upon the consuming public. We have already made
an estimate of the revenue derived from this source, and will place tie
responsibility for collecting these taxes on raw opium dealers.
must be well-to-do and sincere, before they are compatible for this
undertaking. As the result of an enquiry made, we have found that,
since the enforcement of the purchase of unprepared opíum under the
permit system on the 10th Moon of last year, that Kwong Wing Yuen is
doing most of the business in foreign raw opium among the dealers, mile Kai On Tai is taking the lead in effecting sales of native raw
opium. It has come to our notice that both of them are well-to-do and
sincere merchants. They are thus fit for such selection. But as the
mrk concerns the whole province of Canton all matters connected with
solleating taxes, checking the smuggling of opium and its seizures are
multifarious and delicate in the beginning. They (the two merchants)
mst understand the importance of the affairs, must not fear the dif-
fioulty in going on with their work, must not exceed their duty and
power. They must also work with one mind, and clear all misunderstand-
ings. As the date for starting this business is rapidly approaching,
all raw opium dealers in Canton, and prefectures, aub-prefectures, dis
triots, and commercial centres outside the limits of the oity should
work together in making preparatory arrangements, should at once con
aider the matter heartily and co-operatively, and should quietly wait
for our Issue of a notification appointing a date to collect the taxes
In question. As regards the notices that have been distributed to the
raw opium dealers in connection with this matter they are now rendered
"null & void", so as to place the responsibility on those hereafter
appointed. Issued on the 7th day of the 3rd Moon, in the 2nd year of
the reign of Emperor Suen Tung and given to Kwong Wing Yuen (Leung
Chiu Tong master) and K1 On Tai for execution in accordance with the
wording of the notification.