2
220
Yünnan and Kueichow via the West River--a route where it is easily controlled--to unauthorized channels of exit, chiefly overland.
Should this be the case, the foreign import trade of Wuchow will suffer, as the bulk of the Indian yarn, &c., which is imported here for Yunnan and Kueichow is paid for, not in silver but in opium.
The estimated import of opium into Wuchow last year was 26,000 chests, of which about 60 per cent. from Yunnan, and 30 per cent. from Kueichow and Szechuan. Taking a chest at 37 catties, this amounts to 9,875 piculs, or 558 tons (100 catties = 1 picul = 1331 lb.).
Of the above, about 20 per cent. is retained for distribution in this province, the remainder is forwarded to Canton.
The price, which has lately risen owing to increased taxation in the neighbouring province of Kuangtung, ranged last year from 560-640 taels per picul--say, 741-847 (tael 2s. 7d.).
The average annual import during the last five years has been 22,000 chests, or 491 tons, selling at 350-400 taels per picul.
Current rates at Wuchow are as follows:-
Yunnan, 5·60 taels (14s. 9d.) per catty,
Szechuan, 4·96 taels (13s.) per catty.
Kueichow, 4·58 taels (12s.) per catty.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY H. FOX.
Confidential.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State,
and is directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
19.$1.
the Colonies
to transmit, to be laid before the Secretary of State for
, further section of confidential
correspondence, as marked in the margin.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Notification by the Chief Inspectorate of Li-kin in Kuangsi.
THE collection of li-kin dues on native opium in this province has hitherto been undertaken by responsible merchants under Regulations issued by this Office.
It has now been decided, after due consideration, to substitute a general tax on both raw and prepared opium, to be collected in the following manner :-
All native opium entering this province for local consumption will be charged duty at the rate of 30 taels per picul; a tax of 70 taels per picul will be levied on prepared opium. All opium must receive the seal of the Head Li-kin Office before sale can be permitted.
Native opium in transit will be liable to a duty of 10 taels per picul.
Opium for local consumption having paid duty at the first barrier en route will pay no other duty, with the exception of the tax on the boiled product above referred to.
These Regulations, having been approved by the Provincial Government, will come into force on the 1st day of the 12th moon (17th January, 1904), and the various offices and sub-offices have been notified accordingly.
The collection of opium dues by the aforesaid merchants will cease at the end of the present year; all opium, however, imported during the 12th moon will, as before, pay duty to the "opium farmer," receive the seal of the Head Office, and be liable to inspection at all barriers.
Opium for local consumption will, in accordance with the new Regulations, have to pay the additional tax on prepared opium; raw opium at present in the province will, if exported, be charged a duty of 8 taels per picul; chests to be officially sealed before export. Chests not sealed will be treated as contraband.
All contraband opium, whether seized by barrier, official, soldier, or private individual, must at once be handed into the Li-kin Office for confiscation, when a reward of 300 taels per picul will be paid to the person making the seizure.
Unscrupulous merchants who are discovered illicitly dealing in opium for the purpose of evading the duties will, in addition to having such opium confiscated, be fined its full value.
For a period of thirty years, dating from the first day of the New Year, dues on opium will cease to be collected by the "opium farmer," but will be in charge of the Li-kin Offices and barriers, who will collect the dues on raw and prepared opium in accordance with the new Regulations.
Foreign Office,
April 29, 1904.
2
ཉ
220
Yünnan and Kueichow via the West River--a route where it is easily controlled-to unauthorized channels of exit, chiefly overland.
Should this be the case, the foreign import trade of Wuchow will suffer, as the bulk of the Indian yarn, &c., which is imported here for Yunnan and Kueichow is paid for, not in silver but in opium.
The estimated import of opium into Wuchow last year was 26,000 chests, of which about 60 per cent. from Yunnan, and 30 per cent. from Kueichow and Szechuan. Taking a chest at 37 catties, this amounts to 9,875 piculs, or 558 tons (100 catties = 1 picul
1331 lb.).
Of the above, about 20 per cent, is retained for distribution in this province, the remainder is forwarded to Canton.
The price, which has lately risen owing to increased taxation in the neighbouring province of Kuangtung, ranged last year from 560-640 caels per picul-say, 741.-847. (tael 2s. 7 d.).
The average annual import during the last five years has been 22,000 chests, or 491 tons, selling at 350-400 taels per picul.
Current rates at Wuchow are as follows:-
Yunnan, 5'60 taels (14s. 9d.) per catty, Szechuan, 4'96 taels (13s.) per catty. Kueichow, 4:58 taels (128.) per catty.
I have, &c. (Signed)
HARRY H. FOX.
idential.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State,
and is directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Tracka
19.$1.
the Colonies
to transmit, to be laid before the Secretary of State for
, further section of confidential
correspondence, as marked in the margin.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Notification by the Chief Inspectorate of Li-kin in Kuangsi.
THE collection of li-kin dues on native opium in this province has hitherto been undertaken by responsible merchants under Regulations issued by this Office.
It has now been decided, after due consideration, to substitute a general tax on both
raw and prepared opium, to be collected in the following manner :-
All native opium entering this province for local consumption will be charged duty at the rate of 30 taels per picul; a tax of 70 taels per picul will be levied on prepared opium. All opium must receive the seal of the Head Li-kin Office before sale can be permitted.
Native opium in transit will be liable to a duty of 10 tacls per picul.
Opium for local consumption having paid duty at the first barrier en route will pay no other duty, with the exception of the tax on the boiled product above referred to.
These Regulations, having been approved by the Provincial Government, will come into force on the 1st day of the 12th moon (17th January, 1904), and the various offices and sub-offices have been notified accordingly.
The collection of opium dues by the aforesaid merchants will cease at the end of the present year; all opium, however, imported during the 12th moon will, as before, pay duty to the "
opium farmer," receive the seal of the Head Office, and be liable to inspection at all barriers.
Opium for local consumption will, in accordance with the new Regulations, have to pay the additional tax on prepared opium; raw opium at present in the province will, if exported, be charged a duty of 8 taels per picul; chests to be officially sealed before export. Chests not sealed will be treated as contraband.
All contraband opium, whether seized by barrier, official, soldier, or private individual, must at once be banded into the Li-kin Office for confiscation, when a reward of 300 taels per picul will be paid to the person making the seizure.
Unscrupulous merchants who are discovered illicitly dealing in opium for the of evading the duties will, in addition to having such opium confiscated, be fined its full purpose value.
For a period of thirty years, dating from the first day of the New Year, dues on opium will cease to be collected by the "opium farmer," but will be in charge of the Li-kin Offices and barriers, who will collect the dues on raw and prepared opium in accordance with the new Regulations.
It subsequent
Foreign Office,
Apirl 29, 1994.
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