[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
96
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
ļ
[4552]
No. L.
Acc
REG
7164
MAR 12 February 1.J
Sucros 1.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received February 1.)
Downing Street, January 31, 1912. WITH reference to the letter from this department of the 20th September, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to request you to inform Secretary Sir E. Grey that he has ascertained from private sources that within the last three months 460 chests of Indian opium have been purchased in Singapore for shipment to Macao.
2. In his despatch of the 16th October, 1911, a copy of which was enclosed in the letter from this department of the 16th November, Sir F. Lugard stated that he was advised that 410 chests would be sufficient for the annual requirements of Macao, including export to Mexico, and it appears, therefore, that a supply more than sufficient for a whole year has now been imported from the Straits Settlements alone in a period of three months.
3. It seems to Mr. Harcourt that there can be only one explanation of these figures, that is, that it is intended to pursue on a large scale the practice of smuggling opium for which Macao has been notorious in the past. His Majesty's Government have a direct interest in the matter, as there can be little doubt that some part of this opium will be smuggled into Ilong Kong and the Straits Settlements. This will not only be detrimental to the colonial revenues, but will endanger the success of the policy of restriction of opium smoking to which His Majesty's Government are committed. A further result is that the purchase of large quantities of uncertificated opium for illegitimate purposes must decrease the supply available for ordinary requirements, and thus raise the price of opium-a point of considerable importance to the Government of the Straits Settlements, which has to buy its supplies in the open market.
4. In these circumstances, Mr. Harcourt considers that it is highly desirable that any possible steps should be taken to throw difficulties in the way of this traffic, and with this object he proposes, unless Sir E. Grey sees strong objection, to instruct the Governor of the Straits Settlements to prohibit the export of opium to Macao except on a certificate from the Portuguese consul at Singapore that it is required for the use of the Government opium farmer.
I am, &c.
G. V. FIDDES.
pl
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