CO129-340 - Governor Nathan Acting Governor May - 1907 [4-6] — Page 369

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

365

millions Sterling out of a total revenue of something less than seven millions collected upon Native Opium alone. The Viceroys of the various Provinces concerned use these five millions Sterling for their own administrative purposes and cannot possibly forego such revenue without a dislocation of the Provincial Finances, which I venture to say few of them are in a position to deal with.

This Edict is nothing new. Innumerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been promulgated in the past without producing any abiding effect. In the meantime the system of Government in China has not changed and it is idle to expect a better fate for the new Edict than its predecessors shared.

If, however, I am wrong and the Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for Indian or other Opium for there will be no Opium smokers.

In the interests of this Colony I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the export of Opium from India.

11.

I attach a copy of a letter which I

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365 millions Sterling out of a total revenue of something less than seven millions collected upon Native Opium alone. The Viceroys of the various Provinces concerned use these five millions Sterling for their own administrative purposes and cannot possibly forego such revenue without a dislocation of the Provincial Finances, which I venture to say few of them are in a position to deal with. This Edict is nothing new. Innumerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been promulgated in the past without producing any abiding effect. In the meantime the system of Government in China has not changed and it is idle to expect a better fate for the new Edict than its predecessors shared. If, however, I am wrong and the Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for Indian or other Opium for there will be no Opium smokers. In the interests of this Colony I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the export of Opium from India. 11. I attach a copy of a letter which I

Baseline (Original)

365 millions Sterling out of a total revenue of something less than seven millions collected upon Native Opium alone. The Viceroys of the various Provinces concerned use these five millions Sterling for their own administrative purposes and cannot possibly forego such revenue without a disloca- -tion of the Provincial Finances, which I venture to say few of them are in a position to deal with. This Edict is nothing new. In- -numerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been promulgated in the past without producing any abiding effect. In the meantime the system of Government in China has not changed and it is idle to expect a better fate for the new Edict than its predecessors shared. If, however, I am wrong and the Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for Indian or other Opium for there will be no Opium smokers. In the interests of this Colony I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the export of Opium from India. 11. I attach a copy of a letter which I

2026-06-04 11:31:18 · Baseline

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365

millions Sterling out of a total revenue of something less

than seven millions collected upon Native Opium alone. The

Viceroys of the various Provinces concerned use these five

millions Sterling for their own administrative purposes

and cannot possibly forego such revenue without a disloca-

-tion of the Provincial Finances, which I venture to say few

of them are in a position to deal with.

This Edict is nothing new. In-

-numerable Edicts containing similar provisions have been

promulgated in the past without producing any abiding

effect. In the meantime the system of Government in China

has not changed and it is idle to expect a better fate for

the new Edict than its predecessors shared.

If, however, I am wrong and the

Chinese Government accomplishes the unexpected and succeeds

in enforcing the Edict, then there will be no demand for

Indian or other Opium for there will be no Opium smokers.

In the interests of this Colony

I would respectfully urge that it would seem premature to

take any further steps than have been taken in limiting the

export of Opium from India.

11.

I attach a copy of a letter which

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