CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 355

Confidential

Downing Street,

15th September 1908.

351

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of the 27th of July with regard to the question of opium in Weihaiwei. This despatch has crossed my confidential despatch of the 17th of August in which I asked you to inform me of the steps which you would propose to take to give effect to the policy of His Majesty's Government.

2.

I learn with satisfaction from your despatch that the question is one which can easily be dealt with, owing to the small interests involved.

3.

I concur in your proposal that the present situation should be left undisturbed until the 30th of June next when the opium farmer's contract expires, but meanwhile it is necessary to consider the steps which are to be taken at the end of that period.

4.

I would propose that after the 30th of June next the importation or sale of opium should be prohibited by Ordinance. If it is necessary on medical grounds that there should be some supply of opium in the Territory, the Ordinance should allow an exception in the case of a few licensed vendors, who should be permitted to import the drug and to retail it.