CO129-258 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1893 [1-4] — Page 439

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

the supposition that it would involve a breach of the special Agreement with China for stopping smuggling from Hong Kong & Macao, China which is current, the provisions of Order 22/1891, & the Ordinance for restricting the import of raw opium into the Colony, would not necessarily follow, as Sir J. Russell has shown in the annexed typewritten Memo which he wrote at my request. But if the Farming system need not be maintained, allude to this point.

As to par. 6 of despatch, I should like to abolish the practice of fixing a maximum price for opium, & to leave the Opium Farmer to raise the price can. (The limit in the Straits Settlements is fixed by the risk of smuggling, and apparently that risk is much greater in the latter Colony, as the price of prepared opium at Hong Kong has always been lower than in the Straits).

On this point, see Mr. [Surname]'s comment at p. 45 of print, which says that on a certain occasion he allowed the Farmer to raise the price beyond the limit, although it was against the Contract, as "it meant a higher price to the poor people". I do not see that the Govt should do anything to keep the price down, & I would even run the risk of possible public disorder. I would trust the farmer, in his own interests, not to raise the price too high.

No, James, not in this risk (ell far. 9 on p. 75), but at the same time I think he should have the power to raise the price 4.67% from time to time if at any time wages rise. Dickson's speech in Council in Oct. 1890 at p. 32 of the print, where he spoke of "perple", and Mr. [Surname]'s speech at p. 67, where the figures $4.67 and $4.68 are from a Book, and 7.90, thus enabling "the Coolie to indulge to excess", were noted.

As to the opium smoking shops, the number at Singapore appears to be very excessive, viz 6 to 124,000 population of male Chinese (over 15 years), whereas in Hong Kong the number is 132 to 112,000 (ditto) in both cases "including districts". I would suggest that in both Colonies the number of...

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the supposition that it would involve a breach of the special Agreement with China for stopping smuggling from Hong Kong & Macao, China which is current, the provisions of Order 22/1891, & the Ordinance for restricting the import of raw opium into the Colony, would not necessarily follow, as Sir J. Russell has shown in the annexed typewritten Memo which he wrote at my request. But if the Farming system need not be maintained, allude to this point. As to par. 6 of despatch, I should like to abolish the practice of fixing a maximum price for opium, & to leave the Opium Farmer to raise the price can. (The limit in the Straits Settlements is fixed by the risk of smuggling, and apparently that risk is much greater in the latter Colony, as the price of prepared opium at Hong Kong has always been lower than in the Straits). On this point, see Mr. [Surname]'s comment at p. 45 of print, which says that on a certain occasion he allowed the Farmer to raise the price beyond the limit, although it was against the Contract, as "it meant a higher price to the poor people". I do not see that the Govt should do anything to keep the price down, & I would even run the risk of possible public disorder. I would trust the farmer, in his own interests, not to raise the price too high. No, James, not in this risk (ell far. 9 on p. 75), but at the same time I think he should have the power to raise the price 4.67% from time to time if at any time wages rise. Dickson's speech in Council in Oct. 1890 at p. 32 of the print, where he spoke of "perple", and Mr. [Surname]'s speech at p. 67, where the figures $4.67 and $4.68 are from a Book, and 7.90, thus enabling "the Coolie to indulge to excess", were noted. As to the opium smoking shops, the number at Singapore appears to be very excessive, viz 6 to 124,000 population of male Chinese (over 15 years), whereas in Hong Kong the number is 132 to 112,000 (ditto) in both cases "including districts". I would suggest that in both Colonies the number of...
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the supposition that it would involve a weach of the special Agreement with China for stopping smuggling from Hongking & Wa China which is carriedent, the Angrisions of Order 22/1891, & the which it even for restricting the in raw prim ent Their in the Colony. would not necessarily follow, Si J. Russell has shown in the annexed typewritten Memo which he wrote at my request. But if the Farming system we need nog be manitamed, allude to this point. Fil. Smille's As to par. 6 of desp", Ishould like to abolish the practice of the for fixing as much he a maximum price for opium, & to leave the Opium Farmer to raise the price can. (The limit in the Straits as at Hongthing, is Settlements, fixed by the risk of sunggling, and apparently that rick in much greater in the latter (oliny, as the price of prepared oprim at has always Haskay Iunderstand been lower than in the Straits). On this point. see marke's portion at p. 45 of print says that an Dur cestami occasion B he allowed the Farmer 138 Praise the price begard the limit although Just in the Contract < it meant a higher price to the poor people". I do not see that the fort should do anything to keep the price down, & I would Even run the risk of a possible referred to in hic-dritte's public disorder". I would trust fish. at p.67 the farmer, in his own interests, not to raise the price too high No James not In this riskin (ell far. 9 on p. 75), but at the same time I think he should have the power to raise the price 4.67% frein sheare un anti time wages if at any of fir 7. Dickson's speech in Council in Oct. 1890 at p. 32 of the print, the print, where he porium perple. ee par yof . Mille's sp2 4.67 $4.68 are figuresare bem from B. Book 7.90 nze, thus enabling "to indulge to Excess. were the Coolie " As to the operim smoking shops, the number at very Singapore appears to be ver Excessive, § vis 6 to 124,000 population of male Chinese (over 15 yeay, whereas in Hongking number in 132 Lo the [old] 112,000 (ditto) in both cas. [inchu dipen districts"] country dis th I would suggest that in both Colonies the number of
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the supposition that it would

involve

a

weach of

the special

Agreement with China for stopping smuggling from Hongking &

Wa

China which is carriedent,

the Angrisions of Order 22/1891,

& the

which it even

for restricting the in

raw prim

ent

Their

in the Colony. would not necessarily follow, Si J. Russell has shown in the annexed typewritten Memo which he wrote at my request. But if the Farming system

we

need nog

be manitamed, allude to this point.

Fil. Smille's

As to par. 6 of desp", Ishould like to abolish the practice of the for fixing

as much

he

a maximum price for opium, & to leave the Opium Farmer to raise the price can. (The limit in the Straits as at Hongthing, is Settlements, fixed by the risk of sunggling, and apparently that rick in much greater in the latter (oliny, as the price of prepared oprim at

has always Haskay

Iunderstand

been lower than in the Straits).

On this point.

see marke's portion

at p. 45 of print

says that

an

Dur

cestami occasion

B

he allowed the Farmer 138

Praise the price begard the limit

although Just in the Contract

<

it meant a higher price to the poor people". I do not see that the fort should do anything to keep the price down, & I would Even run the risk of a possible referred to in hic-dritte's public disorder". I would trust fish. at p.67 the farmer, in his own interests, not to raise the price too high

No James not In this riskin (ell far. 9 on p. 75), but at the same time I think he should have the power to raise the price 4.67% frein sheare un anti

time wages if at any

of fir 7. Dickson's speech in Council in Oct. 1890

at p.

32 of the print,

the print, where he

porium perple.

ee par yof

. Mille's sp2 4.67

$4.68 are figuresare bem from B. Book

7.90

nze,

thus enabling

"to indulge to Excess.

were

the Coolie

"

As to the operim smoking

shops,

the number at

very

Singapore appears to be ver Excessive, §

vis

6 to 124,000 population of male Chinese (over 15 yeay,

whereas in Hongking

number in 132

Lo

the

[old]

112,000 (ditto)

in both cas.

[inchu dipen

districts"]

country dis

th

I would suggest that in both Colonies the number of

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