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II.—TOBACCO.
The net revenue collected under the Tobacco Ordinance was $2,007,105.01 as compared with $1,831,079.17 for 1923.
Smuggling of high grade cigarettes was very prevalent in the first half of the year, but the conviction of a large firm of tobacco dealers with two branches, and the subsequent closing of their shops probably had a good effect. The licence of one Chinese cigar manufacturer was not renewed, because he had failed persistently to account for his stock properly. Considerable trouble was experienced in compelling the small Chinese firms who manufacture cigars to carry on their business in such a manner as to facilitate a check being kept over their operations,
III.—OPIUM-GENERAL.
The gross revenue was $5,224,303.65 as compared with $5,759,443.58 in 1923. During the last quarter there was a drop of about 25 per cent. in the sales in all districts,—in one district on the South of the Island the decrease was 50 per cent. This marked decrease coincides with the appearance of the bountiful new crop of Chinese opium on the market, and the efforts of the Macau Opium Farmer to increase his sales by a reduction in price.
The cost of the production of prepared opium was considerably increased during the year. The salaries of the staff at the factory had to be revised to meet the general rise in wages in the Colony, while the cost of pots and charcoal was greatly increased owing to the general unrest in South China rendering the manufacture and transportation of the goods both difficult and expensive. Owing to excessive demands the old staff of boilers was discharged and a new staff was engaged, which after training and the elimination of those unsuitable, has proved satisfactory.
Extensive alterations had to be carried out at the Factory in order to facilitate ventilation and reduce the temperature in the boiling shed, which at times became so hot as to endanger the health of the workers.
The branch office at Taipo was closed down, and arrangements made for the agents in the New Territory North, to draw their supplies of opium either direct from the Head Office or through two large retailers. The whole of the sale of opium is now in the hands of agents who are paid a fixed monthly salary, and have no interest in pushing the sale of opium, so long as they satisfy the demands of the purchasers in their immediate vicinity. To some extent in the outlying districts this has made a difference to the amounts sold, the tendency being to understock, so that when sold out for the day the agency could be closed down and the salesmen go home. Illicit opium of fair quality can be obtained so easily everywhere that smokers would not be seriously incommoded if they found the Government agent sold out.