1
13°
TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies.
(Dated 15th April
April, 1929.)
34
Received Colonial Office 12.23.p.m. 15th
Secret.
Your telegram of 10th April Secret. Opium.
(1) present stock of raw is Indian 327 chests confiscated 3900
taels and of prepared 52,100 taels (2) expected supply for
remainder of this year of Indian raw is 126 chests. Guess at
estimate of seizures is this year's raw 16,500 taels and prepared
7,700 taels: next year's raw 22,000 taels, prepared 10,200 taels
(3) estimated consumption at present prices for remainder of
this year 138,000 taels, for next year 184,000 taels (4) con-
sumption at present prices is no guide to total consumption.
If the prices were reduced to prices charged October to December,
1927 it is estimated that consumption would be 600,000 taels a
year.