65
Enclosure No. 2.
local requirements.
4.
1 attach copies of my letter of 4th July to
Enclosure No. 5. the Governor of Macao and of his reply of 9th July from which
it will be seen that, though he still solicits my help, he
has not reduced his estimate. 1 accordingly do not propose
to move further in the matter.
5.
The fact is that the normal population of
Macao falls considerably short of the figure given by the
Macao Authorities; and though I do not think it would be
either reasonable or desirable to limit Macao immediately to a supply of opium strictly proportionate to that allowed
to Hong Kong (where the Government monopoly has been functioning for some 13 years), I am satisfied that a supply
of about 120 chests a year should suffice for its local
needs.
6.
That Macao should receive sufficient for this
specific purpose, and should thus secure an adequate revenue
with which to suppress contraband,is from the point of view
of this Colony, undoubtedly desirable at present.
7.
On the point of temporary assistance, the
recent depression of our official sales has resulted in a
certain accumulation of stocks; and, though i am fully aware
of the need of conserving stock, I considered that a small
amount could be most usefully employed at the moment in a
gesture of goodwill to Macao in the inauguration of its
official control, upon the effectiveness of which the volume
of illicit traffic in this Colony to a considerable extent
depends. I accordingly authorized the sale at cost price
of 10 chests.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
1. Ciment
1
Governor, &c.