!
136
Rs. 6000 a chest.
5. I enclose copies of the latest ismes of the "Statistics
of British India Vol. II", and of the Statistical Abstract relating
to British India. These contain practically all the figures
available as regards opium and excise.
6. A copy of a memo. regarding Miss La Motte's book in enclosed; this memo. was prepared in this office for the informa of a Member of Parliament who made enquiries on the subject.
I am etc.
(nd). T. Kershaw.
£0.
Vemo regarding Miss La Motte's book "The Opium Zonopoly". I. This book gives an entirely incorrect exposition of the position as regards the opium traffic. The statistics regardi British India are in general correctly quoted; the inference!
these statistice
which do not form a complete or self-
are in general wholly m
ed presentment of the facts For example, Miss La Motte sums up her indictment of th
of Great Britain on pages 52 and 53 of her pamphlet; on pa she quotes certain figures as to the increase in reveme dei frêm opium, liquor and drugs; and on the succeeding page sh assumes -- entirely without justification, and in direct o that this increase in revenue co' diation of the facts exactly to an increase in consumption. It is on this fund misconception that her indictment is based.
--
2. The policy of the Government is to increase the revenue to the maximum possible extent, consistent with
and the? tion of smuggling, illicit production and use,
of consumption. This policy directly checks consumption, enables the trade to be kept under rigid "ntrol. The ma possible revenus, with the minimum possible consumption, for many years the guiding principle of the Govi regards their exbisevi
tionf
Letration, que Tigufes fora
ed
Evr
THE
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