duty on Opium Chimal.
for
[ 6 ]
there was nothing but the shipper's mark, and in order to earmark it, it was proposed that the Harbour Master should impose certain other marks. He thought members of Council would perceive there was no difficulty at all in that way, merely a little extra clerical work, which with such important and valuable packages as opium and the solving of an important question should not be allowed to weigh
With reference to Clause 18, the ACTING CHIEF Justice said he believed there had been a suggestion as to altering the clause in such a way that the Opium Farmers should have an agent in the Harbour Office to sign the permits. The object of Clause 18 was this, that if the Opium Farmer should refuse or neglect to do any of the acts required of him he was liable to a penalty. There was an impression among some of the dealers that the Opium Farmer himself would not account in any way for the opium he obtained. But before this Ordinance was introduced, on the 2nd or 3rd of September, the Farmer had entered into an engagement to refrain from selling any opium, when export in whole chests alone was contemplated. Of course if he wanted to sell by retail, since this Ordinance had been amended to enable persons to sell by retail, he would be subject to the same conditions as other dealers. But it was not his business to sell opium by retail, and he did not want to do so, and he had undertaken that his original books and vouchers should be open at all times to any officer the Government appointed, showing what had become of all the opium he got. Of course he must be in possession of loose opium or he could not carry on his trade, which was that of boiling, but he would be ready at all times to show his books to a Government Officer. The Farmer would also be prepared to enter into an arrangement, he had no doubt, to keep a clerk or agent at the Superintendent's office. He (His Honour) had spoken to the Treasurer about it, and he thought there would be no difficulty. He did not think it necessary to bring it in as a legislative enactment. He therefore proposed that the clause should stand as it was and an arrangement be made with the Opium Farmer to the effect stated.
Hon. C. P. CHATER said he thought if there was no objection on the part of the Farmer to having an agent in the Superintendent's office, it would be better to put it in the Ordinance He was given to understand that if every form had to be taken to the Harbour Master's office
Hon. C. P. CHATER said that if it was a perfectly clear understanding that there should be such an arrangement as the Attorney-General had stated, and that the Chinese should get the facilities asked for, it would be sufficient.
His EXCELLENCY-I undertake on the part of the Government that this shall be arranged.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-That is perfectly satisfactory.
The clause was then passed.
On the motion of the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL clause was added, No. 24, providing that the Ordinance should come into operation on a day to be hereafter proclaimed by the Governor.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that with reference to Schedule A an application had been made that it should not be compulsory to state the wharf at which the opium was to be landed, but that it might be landed anywhere, The reasons given were, that there might be stress of weather, the tide might be adverse, or on account of low water the boat might not be able to approach the wharf named in the permit, in which case it would be necessary to go to another wharf. Considering the importer himself named the wharf and that if any difficulty arose between the time the application for the permit was made and the time of landing he could have the permit changed at the office of the Superintendent, and considering also that it was necessary to follow up the opium, the Government had not been able to accede to the application.
His EXCELLENCY-No, I do not think we could grant that concession.
The various schedules having been passed, the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved, that the standing orders be suspended in order that the Bill might be passed.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Carried.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved that the Bill be read a third time.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Hon. C. P. CHATER-Before the Bill is read a third time, I should like to know whether the Government has made any new arrangement with the Opium Farmer with respect to the immense benefit we are about to confer on him by the passing of the Ordinance. It has been said, and I believe it, that his revenue will be increased immensely, that it will be probably three or four times as much as he is getting to-day. That being so I think the Government could make some sort of amicable arrangement with him whereby portion, at all events, of the additional profits made by the Farmer by virtue of the passing of this Ordinance might be paid to the Government for the extra expense they have to incur and the great inconvenience the opium importers and dealers have to submit to.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I was not aware such a question was going to be asked, sir, but the answer is very simple. No arrangement has been made or is going to be made with the Opium Farmer, for the simple reason that he has got his Farm. We have passed this Bill because it was advisable to do so for reasons that have been given. He is under an engagement with us and to that engagement both sides must stick. I believe, as a matter of fact, he has been losing a great deal, and if he makes money under the new Ordinance, that will benefit us because it will enable him to compete with others when his present privilege ends, and he will be able to offer a much larger sum than he would be otherwise. We may lose for the present but we shall ultimately be gainers.
His EXCELLENCY-When does his licence terminate?
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL--In March, 1889.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-Who put the question I was aware there was an agreement, but I thought nevertheless some sort of mutual understanding might be arrived at. His revenue will undoubtedly be increased immensely, and he certainly should refund a portion of it to the Government for the extra expenditure which will have to be incurred.
His EXCELLENCY-That will be a matter for the Executive Council.
The ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE-When the first Ordinance was drafted, it was considered a raw opium farm should be constituted, but only with the view of trying to secure to the public revenue a little of the great benefits that would be derived by the Prepared Opium Farmer. It was intended that the Raw Opium Farmer and Prepared Opium Farmer should however be the same person. This was one of the reasons this matter was kept very secret. Negotiations were going on between the Government and the Farmer at Penang, but so much pressure was put on the Government to have this Bill introduced, that before anything could be completed in that way the Bill had to be laid on the table.
I think it very improbable any Chinaman or any Farmer will hand over money to the Government that we cannot compel him to do. He has got his farm and it is necessary to work the scheme to put the whole of this thing into his hands. Ultimately it will be of great advantage to the Government and the next letting will be much sought after. But at present the Opium Farmer will reap the benefits. Here is a statement of the revenue derived from the farm at Singapore dated 2nd September last. The present value of the farm $86,000 per month, from 1883 to 1885. $80,000; from 1880 to 1882, $50,000; from 1877 to 1879, $36,000. The writer, who was the manager of the Opium Farm and present manager also at Johore, and is now staying here, says the increase is wholly due to the efforts of the Opium Farmer, strongly supported by the Government, for preventing smuggling. The Government does not expect to derive any immediate benefit. This man has got his rights. He has been losing, and it is believed he has, because there has been a great deal of competition in the Australian and American markets and a great deal of smuggling here that he has not been able to suppress. In two years it is hoped the Government will get a great deal for the farm. The population here is larger than in Singapore, and the Government ought to get a larger amount than there, if the Opium Farmer is well and loyally backed. However, at present the man has his rights and I don't think he is likely to surrender any of them amicably or otherwise.
His EXCELLENCY-I think after that statement of my hon. friend the matter may drop. The Government will do all it can to increase its revenue. That may be depended upon. But I am afraid that in this instance we are rather helpless
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
His EXCELLENCY-I think I may say at the conclusion that the Council is to be warmly congratulated on the passing of this Bill. The Government and the Executive Council have gone very closely into this matter, and we have found the rights and interests of the honest trader will not be injured in the least degree; whilst in drawing the bonds of friendship tighter and tighter as years go on between ourselves and China, we fully believe that the commercial interests of this colony will be the gainer very much. It only now remains to loyally carry out the provisions of this Bill, and the Government hope not only for the support of hon. gentlemen here present, but that we shall have the whole public of Hongkong with us in carrying out, what we believe to be, as honest a Bill as ever was passed.
duty on Opium Chimal.
for
[ 6 ]
there was nothing but the shipper's mark, and in order to earmark it, it was proposed that the Harbour Master should impose certain other marks. He thought members of Council would perceive there was no difficulty at all in that way, merely a little extra clerical work, which with such important and valuable packages as opium and the solving of an important question should not be allowed to weigh
With reference to Clause 18, the ACTING CHIEF Justice said he believed there had been a sug gestion as to altering the clanse in such a way that the Opium Farmers should have an agent in the Harbour Office to sign the permits. Theobject of Clause 18 way this, that if the Opium Farmer should rofuse or neglect to do any of the acts required of him he was liable to a penalty. There was an impression among some of the dealers that the Opium Farmer himself would not account in any way for the opiam he obtained. But before this Ordinance was introduced, on the 2nd or 3rd of September, the Farmer had entered into an on- gagement to refrain from selling any opium, when export in whole chests alone was contem- plated. Of course if he wanted to sell by retail, since this Ordinance had been amended to enable persons to sell by retail, he would be subject to the same conditions as other dealers. Bnt it was not his business to sell opium by retail, and he did not want to do so, and he had undertaken that his original books and vouchers should be open at all times toany officer the Government appointed, shewing what had become of all the opium ho pot. Of course he must be in possession of loose opium or he could not carry on his trade, whio was that of boiling, but be would be ready at all times to show his books to a Government Officer. The Farmer would also be prepared to enter into an arrangement, he had no doubt, to keep a clerk or agent at the Superintendent's office. He (His Honour) had spoken to the Treasurer about it, and he thought there would be no difffealty. He did not think it necessary to bring it in as a legislative enactment. He therefore proposed that the clause should stand as it was aud an arrangement be made with the Opium Farmer to the effect stated.
Hon. C. P. CHATER said he thought if there was no objection on the part of the Farmer to having an agent in the Superintendent's office, it would be better to put it in the Ordinance He was given to understand that if every form had to be taken to the Harbour Master's office
Hon. C. P. CHATER said that it it was a par feetly clear understanding that there should be such an arrangement as the Attorney-General had stated, and that the Chinese should get the facilities asked for, it would be sufficient.
His EXCELLENCY-I undertake on the part of the Government that this shall be arranged.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-That is perfectly satis- factory.
The clause was then passed.
On the motion of the ACTING ATTORNEY- GENERAL clause was added, No. 24, providing that the Ordinance should come into operation on a day to be hereafter proclaimed by the Go- verbor.
Do-
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL 8ard that with reference to Schedule A an application bad been made that it should not be compulsory to state the wharf at which the opium was to bo landed, but that it might be landed anywhere, The reasons given were, that there might be stress of weather, the tide might be adverse, or on account of low water the boat might not be able to approach the wharf named in the permit, in which case it would be cessary
Con- another wharf. go to sidering the importer himself named the wharf and that if any diffioutly arose between the time the application for the permit was made and the time of landing he could have the per- mit changed at the office of the Superintendent, and considering also that it was necessary to follow up the opium, the Government had not been able to accede to the application.
His EXCELLENCY-No, I do not think we could graut that concession.
The various schedules having been passed, the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAY moved, that the standing orders be suspended in order that the Bill might be passed.
The ACTING Colonial SECRETARY Secondei. Carried.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERALtben moved that the Bill be read a third time.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Hon. C. P. CHATER-Before the Bill is read a third time, I should like to know whether the Government has made any new arrangement with the Opium Farmer with respect to the im- mense benefit we are about to confer on him by the passing of the Ordinance. It has been said, and I believe it, that his revesuo
and then taken to the Opiam Farmer's there will be increased immensely, that it will be might be great delay for various reasons. He probably three or four times as much as he is thought it would be safer therefore to put it in getting to-day. That being so I think the Go- the Bill. The Farmer himself said he had no vernment could make some sort of amicable ar objection, and it appeared there was an arrange.rungement with him whereby portion, at all ment between him and the Government.
The ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE said they must remember that this Ordinance had been before the home Government. An arrangement might be made to have a clerk of the Opium Farmer's in the office, but he did not think he ought to be a person appointed by law so as to give him any position as a Government official.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that a condition to the effect required might be in serted in the next licence granted to the Opinm Farmer. He also pointed out that in the pre- ceding sections they had struck out the words "Opium Farmer's Office" and that parties were not now obliged to go there. There were various grounds for not wishing the arrangement to ap- pear in the Ordinance, and he thought all ob jections would be met by an arrangement with the Opium Farmer that he should have a clerk in the Superintendent's Office to sign the permits. His EXCELLENCY said he thought the state. ments which had been wade ought to be satisfac- tory. They wanted particularly to avoid the appearance of having to do with collecting Dates dinettefrom Opin Surely if the objectors got what they wanted without this matter appearing in the Ordinance it ought to be sufficient.
events, of the additional pofits made by tho Farmer by virtue of the passing of this Urdin- ance might be paid to the Government for the extra expense they have to incur and the great inconvenience the opium importers and dealers have to submit to.
The AcnNG ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I was not aware such a question was going to be asked, sir, but the answer is very simple. No arrangement has been made or is going to be made with the Opium Farmer, for the maple reason that he has got his Farm. We have passed this Bill be- cause it was advisable to do so for reasons that have been given. He is under an engagement with us and to that engagement both sides must stick. I believe, nea maiter of fact, he has been losing a great deal, and if he mak s money under the new Ordinance, that will benefit us because it will enable him to compete with others when his present privilege ends, and he will be able to offer a much larger sum than he would be other- wise. We may lose for the present but we shall ultimately be gainers.
His EXCELLENCY-When does his licence terminale ?
|
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL--In March, 1889.
7 1
Hon. C. P CRATER-Who I put the quos to the efforts of the Opiam Farmar, strongly tion I was aware there was an agreement, but I supported by the verament, for preventing thought nevertheless some sort of mutual un-smuggling. The Government does not ex- derstanding might be arrived at. His revenue pect to derive any immediate benedi. This will undoubtedly be increased immensely, and he man has got his rights. Нн чауз
he certainly should refond a portion of it to the has been losing, and it is believed he has, be- Government for the extra expenditure which will cause there has been a great deal of competition have to be incurred.
in the Australian and Anerican markets and a His EXCELLENor-That will be a matter for great deal of smuggling here that he has not the Executive surely.
been ablato suppress. In two years it is noped the The ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE-When the first | Government will get a great doal for the farin. Ordinance was drafted, it was considered a raw The population hare is larger than in Singapore, opium farm should be constituted, but only with and the Government ought to get a larger the view of trying to secure to the public revonne amount than there, if the Opium Farmer is well a little of the great benefits that would be do and loyally backed. However, at present the rived by the Prepared Opium Farmer. It was man has his rights and I don't think he is likely intended that the Raw Opium Farmer ani Pro-to surrender any of them amicably or otherwise. pared Opium Farmer should however be the His EXCELLENCY-I think after that staje- same person. This was one of the reasons ment of my hon. friend the matter may drop. this matter was kept very secret. Negotiations The Government will do all it en to increase were going on between the Government and the its revenus. That may be depend upon. Bat Farmor at Penang, but so much pressure was I am afraid that in this instance we ara rather put on the Government to have this Bill intro-helpless duced, that before anything could be completed The Bill was then read a third time and passed..
His EXCELLENCY-I think I may say at the
in that way the Bill bat to be laid on the table.
I think it very improbable any Chinaman or any conclusion that the Council is to be warmly eau- Farmer will hand over money to the Govern-gratulated on the passing of this Bill. The ment that we cannot compel him to do. He has Governmentand the Exsontive Council have gone got his farm and it is necessary to work the very closely into this matter, and we have found scheme to put the whole of this thing into his the rights and interests of the honest trader hands. Ultimately it will be of great advantage will not be injured in the least degree; whilst to the Government and the next latting will be in drawing the bonds of friendship tighter and much sought after. But at present the Opine tichter as years go ou between ourselves and Farner will reap the benefits. Here is a China, as obstacle after obstacle is removed, statement of the revenue derived from the farm wo fally believe that the commercial interests of at Singapore dated 2nd September last. The this colony will be the gainer very much. It present value of the farm 886 000 per month, from only now remains to loyally carry out the 18-3 to 1885. 880,000; from 1880 to 1882, $50,000; provisions of this Bill, and the Government hope from 1877 to 1879, $36,000. The writer, who not only for the support of hon. gentlemen here was the manager of the Opium Farm and preseut, but that we shall have the whole public manager also at Johore, and is now wan- of Hongkong with as in carrying out, what wa aying here, says the increase is wholly due baliere to be, as honest a Bill as over was passed.
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