(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[June 11.]
SECTION 1.
[20887]
(No. 110.)
No. 1.
Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.*—(Received June 11.)
(Telegraphic.) R.
YOUR telegram No. 84 [of 8th June].
Peking, June 11, 1910.
I received the same day fresh telegram from Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce stating that tax was being enforced, and that the British opium merchants had requested stoppage of shipments from Hong Kong to Kwangtung. Itelegraphed to His Majesty's consul-general at Canton the instructions contained in your telegram, at the same time informing Chamber of Commerce. He replied that regulations enforcing tax on prepared opium came into force on 7th June, and that he has forwarded copy to me; that they clearly state that tax of 30 cents on every ounce of prepared opium is to be paid by prepared opium merchants to collecting office; that main object is to be prevention of storing of large stocks of opium; and that he had been informed by Sassoon's agent that, in his opinion, the regulations, which are equally applicable to native opium, do not infringe Chefoo additional article.
I must await receipt of regulations before I can form definite opinion, but meanwhile I shall mention matter at Wai-wu Pu.
*
(2793 -1]
Copy sent to India Office and Colonial Office, 11th June.
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