[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9691]
No. 1.
[March 21.]
SECTION 4.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received March 21.)
(No. 61.)
Peking, February 3, 1908.
Sir,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 8 of the 4th ultimo on the subject of attempts to establish an official opium monopoly at several ports, I have the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Ningpo reporting the levy of an additional tax on opium in that district, to which his attention had been drawn by Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., of Shanghae, who stated that this measure had as its object the establishment of a Government monopoly.
I have replied that this measure does not seem to me to be in the nature of a monopoly, and that, so long as His Majesty's Consul is satisfied that no such scheme is contemplated, I do not consider that we have any grounds for interference, especially as the tax appears to be levied on all opium without distinction.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 3.) Sir,
Consul Mortimore to Sir J. Jordan.
Ningpo, January 24, 1908.
MY attention having been drawn by Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., of Shanghae, to the fact that a tax of 8 cents per 1 tael weight was being levied on all opium sold in this district, I have made inquiries and find that this tax has been levied from the first day of the Chinese moon (4th January) under instructions from the Opium Tax Commissioner, Ko Feng Shih.
Although the opium dens are supposed to be closed, and, indeed, are so to all new customers, old customers are still allowed to smoke the pipe in upstairs rooms or any place which is not public. The reason assigned for the tax is the difficulty experienced by the officials in suppressing opium dens and opium smoking. It is not levied on wholesale transactions, but as a kind of licence on retailers, who are obliged to report all sales to the Magistrate every five days, and it is hoped that it will prove a check on increased facilities for smoking and a guide to testing the diminution of the habit.
On the 1st of the New Year (2nd February) all sellers of opium will be further compelled to take out a monthly licence at a cost of 1 dol. 20 c.
Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. state that these measures have as their object the establishment of a Government monopoly, but, as far as I am able to learn, no such scheme is contemplated.
I have lately had opportunities of conversing with a Catholic and a Protestant missionary, who have been travelling through the Feng Hua and Hsiang Shan districts of this prefecture. They tell me that opium cultivation has practically ceased there owing to the farmers' fear that any crops they may grow may be either confiscated or so heavily taxed as to cause a loss, also that the idea that opium smoking is a discreditable practice is gaining ground slowly but surely, and the habit is being given up. A rumour which is very prevalent that all opium smokers are shortly to have the fact posted on their front doors has also no doubt conduced to this end.
I have, &c.
(Signed) R. H. MORTIMORE.
[2889 *-1]
པ མ 126
447
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9691]
No. 1.
[March 21.]
SECTION 4.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received March 21.)
(No. 61.)
Peking, February 3, 1908. Sir,
WITH reference to my despatch No. 8 of the 4th ultimo on the subject of attempts to establish an official opium monopoly at several ports, I have the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Ningpo reporting the levy of an additional tax on opium in that district, to which his attention had been drawn by Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., of Shanghae, who stated that this measure had as its object the establishment of a Government monopoly.
I have replied that this measure does not seem to me to be in the nature of a monopoly, and that, so long as His Majesty's Consul is satisfied that no such scheme is contemplated, I do not consider that we have any grounds for interference, especially as the tax appears to be levied on all opium without distinction.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 3.) Sir,
Consul Mortimore to Sir J. Jordan.
Ningpo, January 24, 1908. MY attention having been drawn by Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., of Shanghae, to the fact that a tax of 8 cents per 1 tael weight was being levied on all opium sold in this district, I have made inquiries and find that this tax has been levied from the first day of the Chinese moon (4th January) under instructions from the Opium Tax Commissioner, Ko Feng Shih.
Although the opium dens are supposed to be closed, and, indeed, are so to all new customers, old customers are still allowed to smoke the pipe in upstairs rooms or any place which is not public. The reason assigned for the tax is the difficulty experienced by the officials in suppressing opium dens and opium smoking. It is not levied on wholesale transactions, but as a kind of licence on retailers, who are obliged to report all sales to the Magistrate every five days, and it is hoped that it will prove a check on increased facilities for smoking and a guide to testing the diminution of the habit.
On the 1st of the New Year (2nd February) all sellers of opium will be further compelled to take out a monthly licence at a cost of 1 dol. 20 c.
Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. state that these measures have as their object the establishment of a Government monopoly, but, as far as I am able to learn, no such scheme is contemplated.
I have lately had opportunities of conversing with a Catholic and a Protestant missionary, who have been travelling through the Feng Hua and Hsiang Shan districts of this prefecture. They tell me that opium cultivation has practically ceased there owing to the farmers' fear that any crops they may grow may be either confiscated or so heavily taxed as to cause a loss, also that the idea that opium smoking is a discreditable practice is gaining ground slowly but surely, and the habit is being given up. A rumour which is very prevalent that all opium smokers are shortly to have the fact posted on their front doors has also no doubt conduced to this end,
I have, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MORTIMORE.
[2889
*-1]
T
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