2
Territory formed by the Sam Chun River, I do not believe that effective control of smugglers can be expected. It was for this reason that, in arranging for the delimita- tion of the New Territory, I advocated the summits of the hill range to the north of Sam Chan Valley, the passes of which could have been successfully guarded by the Chinese Customs guards, and this view was shared by Mr. Hillier, then Chinese Customs Commissioner in Hong Kong, but it was decided otherwise. The curtailment of opium boiling in Hong Kong and Macao will involve a serious loss of revenue to both Colonies. I understood when in Hong Kong that the prepared opium found its market in places other than China, such as Java, Australia, and Singapore, but I may be wrong in this conclusion.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HENRY A. BLAKE.
31
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[12598]
No. 1.
[April 18.]
SECTION 1.
Question asked in the House of Commons, April 16, 1907.
Mr. Pike Pease,-To ask the Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken by the Government of China to reduce the area of land now cultivated in China for the production of opium.
Answer.
By Article 1 of the Regulations issued under the Imperial Decree of the 20th September, 1906, no new ground can be placed under poppy cultivation, and that already under poppy cultivation must be reduced by one-tenth, at least, every year. If the Regulation is evaded, the ground can be confiscated. A fresh Decrce was issued on the 7th February last, with the object of securing greater uniformity in carrying out the existing Regulations, and it is understood that it will be followed by further Regulations prescribing the conditions under which the gradual diminution of cultivation is to be effected. I cannot yet say how far these Decrees have been made effective.
[2448 q-1]
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