9
2.
To Geor. bil. .coms
(anoo.)
Aprijk. 29
3.
3. Gov Tel.
154.29
Zwds. inform requested.
this
I suggested obtaining/information with
the idea that when we had it it might be
possible to justify the purchase of Persian
Opium irrespective of a reduction in price on
somewhat the same lines as we got agreement
last year for considerable purchases by the
Straits. The figures received are partly in
chests and partly in taels and refer partly to
raw Opium and partly to prepared. I have
attempted to reduce them to a common denominator,
Faels of that is, an equivalent in prepared Opium,taking the chest at 160 lbs. and assuming that Opium
loses 40% of its weight in preparation. (The percentage is I think generally rather lower). I attach a statement showing the present stocks,
anticipated supplies of consumption until the end of 1930. It appears that their supplies
of Indian and confiscated Opium during this
per iod will actually exceed the anticipated consumption, and their stocks are expected to increase accordingly. As they already have
practically two years' supply in Indian Opium
in addition to a certain amount of confiscated
and
Opium we cannot attempt to justify any purchases of Persian Opium while the level of consumption
remains at its present level.
I