蕊
1006
72-13
367
of the 19th. December last that the importation of Persian Opium
should be permitted for the purpose of export to Formosa and
London only. The trade in Persian opium is altogether distinct from that in Indian opium. In the Persian trade Hongkong is a
distributing centre where Persian opium is tested and in a sense
graded. Formosa takes only a certain standard of such opium and
if its importation into Hongkong is prohibited some new centre
will be established where the opium will be tested and whence it
will be exported, the standard quality to Fonosa and the poorer
quality elsewhere.
4
•
The importation of uncertified Indian opium was prohibited as the Merchants feared that it would be smuggled into China, there to compete directly with the certified opium;
and the extensive sumgeling which now takes place from Tacao
proves that their fears were well-grounded. Persian Opium on the
other hand does not so directly compete with Indian opium and the
districts in which it has been used are clearly defined.
5.
I consider that the Indian Government suffers
no real hardship in the distinction made between the import of
uncertified Indian opium and that of Persian opium, and I would suggest that matters should be allowed to remain as they are. If
however the Indian Government desire to press the point the dis-
-tinction can be done away with by the adoption of a resolution allowing the import of uncertified Indian opium in transit to
Formosa.
I have the honour to be,
sir.
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
پر ایک سے
Governor,&c..