0 0 P Y.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Present.
Hongkong, 29th. August, 1912. 12
C.
Sir,
5 OCTIC,
We have the honour to inform you that we are in
receipt of a telegraphic message from Calcutta to the effect that
by the S. S. "Clara Jebsen" 300 chests of uncertified Bengal Opium
have been shipped for Lacao. It is difficult to exaggerate the
effect of the smuggling of cheap uncertified opium from lacao into
China is having on our trade. We understand that the British
Government and the Hongkong Government have been negotiating with
the Portuguese Covernment and the Government of Lacao for some
time with the object of bringing the opium trade at Lacao within
legitimate limits but so far from any relief being experienced we
have to record the above heaviest single shipment yet made to
lacao. The price of certified for China is today Rupees 5,550
while uncertified is Rs. 1,850, the difference Rs. 3,700 (about
$2,500 besides the evasion of the duty and likin $650 altogether
83,150) is so heavy that smugglers find no difficulty in surmount-
-ing all obstacles in getting their opium into China on a whole-
-sale scale.
We have the honour to request you to telegraph this neavy shipment of 300 chests uncertified for Lacao to H. B. H.'s
Minister at Peking and to the Foreign Office. We shall be pleased
to defray the cost of the messages,
We have etc.,
David Sassoon a Co., Ld.
(Sd.) E. Shel lim,
Manager.
(Sd.) E. D. Sassoon & Co.
E