[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1207]
No. 1.
[January 9.1
SECTION 2.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received January 9.)
India Office, January 8, 1913.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, for the information of Sir Edward Grey, a copy of a telegram from the Government of India, dated the 4th January, reporting the action taken by them, under his Lordship's instructions, for the suspension of the sales of certified opium in Calcutta and Bombay, and the reduction of the amount of the issues of uncertified opium.
I am, &c.
T. W. HOLDERNESS.
(Telegraphic.)
Enclosure in No. 1.
Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe.
YOUR telegram of the 2nd January: Opium.
January 4, 1913.
The April sale of Bengal opium was fixed for the 1st of that month, and it was not possible, therefore, to give three months' notice in respect of that sale; but only 170 chests are in question. We have issued orders suspending sales of Bengal certified from and including sale of May next and suspending sales of Malwa certified from and including sale of April next. We have also ordered upset price of 4,500 rupees in case of Bengal certified and 2,500 rupees in case of Malwa certified to be imposed at the sales respecting which it has not been possible to give notice of three months.
We have issued orders also informing trade that amount of uncertified opium to be offered for sale this year will be 9,000 instead of 13,200 chests. For the rest we await your orders on remaining points referred to in our three telegrams of the 30th December.
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