COPY
No. 102
Jonclosure 1.
Government House,
422
Hong Kong, 27th March, 1913.
sir,
With reference to the last paragraph of
your Despatch No. 61 of the 8th of March, 1912, I have the
honour to inform you that the further steps taken by this
Government to give effect to the Hague Convention are as follows:-
The Opium Monopoly which expired on the
(1).
28th. Ultimo has been renewed for 12 months only, instead of
being let for a period of 3 years in accordance with previous
practice, subject to the provisions of Ordinance No. 2 of 1913
(copy enclosed),
The scope of this Ordinance is fully explained
The
in the accompanying report by the Attorney-General.
Ordinance is designed to give this Goverment complete control
Over the movement of raw opium with the object inter alia, of
giving effect to the Agreement under which only certified Indian
Opium may be imported into China, and to regulate the purchase
of prepared opium in the Colony with a view to the prevention or
ite illicit export. The penalties for infractions of certain
clauses of the Opium Ordinances which are aimed at smuggling of
opium are very largely increased.
The penalties for the unlawful possession
of morphine and compounds of opium are very largely increased.
The quantity of opium which the lessee of
(2).
the Opium Monopoly may use has been reduced for the term of his
lease to 660 chests. Under the lease just expired he was allow-
ed 900 chests per annum. Of the 660 chests 540 are for local
consumption and 120 chests for export. It is calculated that
the amount allowed for local consumption is legitimately required.
No export will be permitted except on production of permi ta
for importation by the Government of the country of destination.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,
&0..
&0.
80..
(3).