E 2
As is shown in Table IV the number of seizures of illicit opium shows a slight increase over 1919, as does also that of convictions obtained. The total amount of prepared opium seized was nearly three times as great as in 1919.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF RAW OPIUM.
4. The movements of Raw Opium are shown in Tables V to VII.
TOBACCO ORDINANCE.
5. The net revenue collected under the Tobacco Ordinance was $631,877.66 as compared with $618,905.55 for 1919, an increase of $12,972.11. Tobacco duties remained the same. Details are given in Tables VIII to XII.
TRADE STATISTICS.
6. Table XIII shows the number of permits, etc., issued during the year under the provisions of the Importation and Exportation Ordinance of 1915 and gives some indication of the amount of labour involved in the collection of accurate Trade Statistics where no Customs House machinery is in existence. The figures show on the whole a slight increase over 1919.
The working of the Ordinance in question—in its origin purely a war measure—has been modified so as to cause the least possible inconvenience and delay to shippers and importers. The results are consolidated in Quarterly and Annual Trade Returns which are of undoubted value to traders not only in this Colony but also in other parts of the Empire.
The total trade (excluding Treasure) for 1920 amounted to £212,302,539 as compared with £194,594,642 for 1919. Of this Imports were valued at £103,932,602 (as against £90,651,708 for 1919), and Exports at £108,369,937 (as against £103,942,934 for 1919).
The Imports of Treasure for the year totalled £31,754,334, including £18,994,688 of gold and £12,658,538 of silver.
The Exports of Treasure for the year were £45,292,645 including £31,956,844 of gold and £12,870,841 of silver.