E 3
IIIA. OPIUM SMUGGLING.
As compared with 1923, Hongkong was only supplying distant places such as U.S.A. and Shanghai with illicit opium, and this on a much smaller scale. Thanks to the first good crop for some years, Amoy was supplying Hongkong, Manila, Java, and Singapore with quantities of prepared opium of superior quality, at a very cheap price, from $3 to $5 per tael. Swatow, Canton, and the Delta were receiving supplies of Chinese opium direct without the intervention of Hongkong smugglers. The West River route for Yunnan opium was open throughout the year. Hence a flood of Chinese opium was poured into the Colony from all possible means of entrance, whereas during 1923, the only possible means of entrance was via Haiphong and South Western Chinese ports. A great increase of smuggling was therefore to be anticipated.
Comparatively little Chinese raw opium was seized, but constant seizures were made of Chinese prepared opium, originating in Kwong Chow Wan, Wuchow, Kongmoon, Amoy, and elsewhere. Illicit prepared opium of lower quality was being retailed in the Colony to opium divans at about $3 per tael. Haiphong ceased to send Yunnan raw opium, but the trade was transferred to Tung Hing and the neighbouring French leased territory of Kwong Chow Wan, where the opium was boiled in numerous manufactories and despatched to Hongkong almost daily by the numerous small steamers which ply between that port and Hongkong.
The Hongkong Headquarters of one large Kwong Chow Wan opium dealer was discovered, and one of the employees convicted of selling opium. Though no opium was actually discovered, the books and documents when examined and explained gave such conclusive evidence of opium dealing on a huge scale that the defence had to admit that the business was that of dealing in opium solely. The master of this firm, who absconded, was a wealthy man owning considerable property in the Colony. The firm has been closed, and one of their chief sub-agents has been banished.
Evidence was obtained of the complete fiscalisation of opium throughout South and South Western China. Whereas in 1923 the Revenue stamps found on raw opium seized were comparatively crude affairs, many found in 1924 were quite elaborate and printed in colours; some from Amoy found on parcels of prepared opium were very similar to Revenue stamps used by foreign countries, being perforated and printed in different colours for each denomination, with an elaborate design including the star and crescent, the value being given in Arabic numbers and Roman lettering. These particular stamps bore a legend that they were issued as Export Revenue Duty Stamps. The official opium monopoly in Canton does not seem to have been the success anticipated, mostly owing to the competition of the various military leaders, who each relied on opium to finance their own forces. Though
E 3
IIIA. OPIUM SMUGGLING.
As compared with 1923 Hongkong was only supplying distant places such as U.S.A. and Shanghai with illicit opium, and this on a much smaller scale. Thanks to the first good crop for some years Amoy was supplying Hongkong, Manila. Java and Singapore with quantities of prepared opium of superior quality, at a very cheap price, from $3 to $5 per tael. Swatow, Canton, and the Delta were receiving supplies of Chinese opium direct without the intervention of Hongkong smugglers. The West River route for Yunnan opium was open throughout the year. Hence a flood of Chinese opium was poured into the Colony from all possible means of entrance whereas during 1923, the only possi- ble means of entrance was via Haiphong and South Western Chinese ports. A great increase of smuggling was thereforeto be anticipated.
Comparatively little Chinese-raw opium was seized, but con- stant seizures were made of Chinese prepared opium, originating in Kwong Chow Wan, Wuchow, Kongmoon, Amoy and elsewhere. Illicit prépared opium of lower quality was being retailed in the Colony to opium divans at about $3 per tael. Haiphong ceased to send Yunnan raw opium, but the trade was transferred to Tung Hing and the neighbouring French leased territory of Kwong Chow Wan, where the opium was boiled in numerous manu- 'factories and despatched to Hongkong almost daily by the numerous small steamers which ply between that port and Hong- kong.
The Hongkong Headquarters of one large Kwong Chow Wan opium dealer was discovered, and one of the employees convicted of selling opium. Though no opium was actually discovered, the books and documents when examined and explained gave such conclusive evidence of opium dealing on a huge scale that the defence had to admit that the business was that of dealing in opium solely. The master of this firm, who absconded, was a wealthy man owning considerable property in the Colony. The firm has been closed, and one of their chief sub-agents has been
banished.
Evidence was obtained of the complete fiscalisation of opium throughout South and South Western China. Whereas in 1923 the Revenue stamps found on raw opium seized were comparatively crude affairs, many found in 1924 were quite elaborate and printed in colours; some from Amoy found on parcels of prepared opium were very similar to Revenue stamps used by foreign countries, being perforated and printed in different colours for each denomina- tion, with an elaborate design including the star and crescent, the value being given in Arabic numbers and Roman lettering. These particular stamps bore a legend that they were issued as Export Revenue Duty Stamps. The official opium monopoly in Canton does not seem to have been the success anticipated, mostly owing to the competition of the various military leaders, who each relied on opium to finance their own forces. Though
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