431
8.
The second of these propositions had been withdrawn from the consideration of the Commission; and in the absence of any definite instructions, I assumed the responsibility of refusing consent to the third. There remained, therefore, only the first proposition, in which no co-operation of this Government was necessary.
W. Russell then explained to the Commission a proposition which I had authorised him to make on behalf of the Government, and which had been under careful consideration for some time. During his tenure as a Member of this Commission, ten years ago, under Sir Arthur Kennedy, he had devoted much study to the subject.
9.
In 1883, when the Government was embarrassed by a combination of the Opium Merchants to obtain the Opium Farm, from which the Colony derives a large revenue, at an absurdly low rate, it was chiefly on his advice that the Government undertook the issuing of licences for one year, thereby realising nearly $100,000 more than had been offered. I have no hesitation in saying that there was no person in the Service of the Government of this Colony who was so thoroughly acquainted, as W. Russell, with the whole question of Opium, and in the absence of instructions which I supposed could have been furnished from Home for the guidance of the Hong Kong Government, I have relied mainly and with great confidence on his advice.
The
431
8.
The second of these pro-
positions had been withdrawn from the consiouration of the Commission;
and in the absence of any definite
instructions
Lonie I assumed
from
the responsibility 5. refusing consent I the third. There remained
therefore only the first proposition
operation on the part
in which no co-operation of this Government was necessary.
W. Surrell then explained
9.
& the Commission a proposition which I had authorised tim & make on
behalf of the Government, and which Le Lad Lad under careful consideration
Ben nominated for some time. Daring by Sir Arthur Kennedy ten years ago as Trember of this Commission be Lad devoted much study to the subject.
and in 1883 when the Government
was embarrassed by a combination the Opium Merchants to obtain the Opium Farm, from which the Colony derives a Large Devenue, at an absurdly low rate, it was chieft
on his advice
itat de Government undertook the
issuing of licences for
one year thereby
realising nearly $100,000 more than Lad been offered. I Lave no teritatio
in saying that there
was no person
person in
the Service of the Govenment of this Colony who was so thoroughly acquainted. as W. Russell with the whole question
من
of Opium, and in the absence of instructions which I supposed could Lave been furnished from Lome for the guidance of the Hong Kong Govern= oment,
I have relied mainly and
lis advice. with great confidence on
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The
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