CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 310

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Apart from the ban on opium in America and China, the smuggling of Camphor to China is enormously profitable to the smugglers and hits firms like Holts exceedingly hard in terms of delay and ship fines etc. We will also, in spite of the somewhat self-righteous tone of the memorial, see that Holts & their skippers are honestly trying to stop the smuggling, though I am not absolutely certain that some of the European firms' staff are not involved. This is, however, a minor detail.

I agree with the memorial's suggestions that (1) it should be stopped, and (2) the only way to deal with it is to go to the root of the matter & exercise stringent control over the sale of any preparations containing opium.

At the end of the memo, they give their suggestions for legislation. They do not define "wholesale selling", but I am inclined to think that the safest plan would be to prohibit the sale entirely, except to qualified chemists, and further not to allow such licensed persons to sell it except medicinally.

Page 309

The C.D. is not responsible for legislation in this country, but the other four colonies are closely concerned as means of revenue are affected by smuggling. Therefore, I suggest we write to the Secretary of Customs, and I suppose also to the Board of Trade, to consider the question along these lines (presumably by interdepartmental committee). I will write to Holts, telling them we propose to adopt this measure if they can supply us with additional copies of the memorial and appendices for distribution to the other departments. As it is printed, they can probably let us have 12 copies or so, which it would be useful to have (to circulate).

FR14/3/16

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Apart from the ban on opium in America and China, the smuggling of Camphor to China is enormously profitable to the smugglers and hits firms like Holts exceedingly hard in terms of delay and ship fines etc. We will also, in spite of the somewhat self-righteous tone of the memorial, see that Holts & their skippers are honestly trying to stop the smuggling, though I am not absolutely certain that some of the European firms' staff are not involved. This is, however, a minor detail.I agree with the memorial's suggestions that (1) it should be stopped, and (2) the only way to deal with it is to go to the root of the matter & exercise stringent control over the sale of any preparations containing opium.At the end of the memo, they give their suggestions for legislation. They do not define "wholesale selling", but I am inclined to think that the safest plan would be to prohibit the sale entirely, except to qualified chemists, and further not to allow such licensed persons to sell it except medicinally.Page 309The C.D. is not responsible for legislation in this country, but the other four colonies are closely concerned as means of revenue are affected by smuggling. Therefore, I suggest we write to the Secretary of Customs, and I suppose also to the Board of Trade, to consider the question along these lines (presumably by interdepartmental committee). I will write to Holts, telling them we propose to adopt this measure if they can supply us with additional copies of the memorial and appendices for distribution to the other departments. As it is printed, they can probably let us have 12 copies or so, which it would be useful to have (to circulate).FR14/3/16
Baseline (Original)
apain from the bath, to ChinaAnohnin America Camala, which is enormonely profitable to the smugglers and which hiti prins like Holts exceedingly hard in delay & ships fines re. Whwill also, in spite the some what self. rightions tome of the memorial, that stolts & their skippers honestly trying to top the smuggling, haupt I am not absolutely certain that some of the Bropean engine rom staff the from shopinion. This hours isAgathe a minor detail.1 gaiteagriearenemorcilerto with the memor interti() that it right the stopped, (2)that the only way to deal with it is to go to the not the mother & exercise stringent control over intulk any drakings in opainAt the end of the neural they give their suggestions for legislation. They To not define "whole sal selling. but I am inclined to think thatThe¡ the safest plan w. bo to proticht the valleally.Lang op min sexcept to qualifiedchements ve & further not to show the such himmed persons to stul it exapt medicinally. 309The CD. is not reap mille for legislation in this country but the winterent four colonies are closely concerned as means {lors.trevenue.Muggling'). Therefore: /write the st... Customs, & lsuppose Board & trade to consider the questioni these lines (preommallyA legislationM by interdepartmentil ctees? Writerevendingly Tell Holts we propose Ado this mark if they can supply no with additional copies of the memorial exppenices for distribution to the other dept. Asit is printed they can protally let us have 12 copies a so which it be unful if the (to sito )K#157 Amst).rich St. Er. per Australia (He som who is interestedFR 14/3/16
2026-06-13 16:26:30 · Baseline
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apain from the bath, to China Anohnin America Camala, which is enormonely profitable to the smugglers and which hiti prins like Holts exceedingly hard in delay & ships fines re. Whwill also, in spite the some what self. rightions tome of the memorial, that stolts & their skippers

honestly trying to top the smuggling, haupt I am not absolutely certain that some of the Bropean engine rom staff the from shopinion. This hours is

Agathe a minor detail.

1 gaite

agrie

are

nemorcilerto with the memor interti

() that it right the stopped, (2) that the only way to deal with

it is

to go to the not the mother & exercise stringent control over

intulk

any drakings in opain

At the end of the neural they give their suggestions for legislation. They To not define "whole sal selling. but I am inclined to think that

The

¡

the safest plan w. bo to proticht the valle

ally.

Lang op min sexcept to qualifiedchements ve & further not to show the such himmed persons to stul it exapt medicinally.

309

The CD. is not reap mille for legislation

in this country but the winterent four colonies are closely concerned as

means

{

lors.

trevenue.

Muggling

'). Therefore

: /write the st... Customs, & lsuppose

Board & trade to consider the questioni

these lines (preommally

A legislation

M

by interdepartmentil ctees

? Writerevendingly Tell Holts we propose Ado this mark if they can supply no with additional copies of the memorial exppenices for distribution to the other dept. Asit is printed they can protally let us have 12 copies a so which it be unful if the (to sito )

K

#157 Amst).

rich St. Er. per Australia (He som who is interested

FR 14/3/16

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