Sir-
210
CHINA ASSOCIATION,
159, Cannon Street,
20th May, 19
E.C.
CO.
18229
I have the honour to submit for the consideration of the Secretary of State a telegram from the Hongkong Branch of this Association, based upon reports which have reached the Colony of a recent debate in the House of Commons on the Opium question as affecting Hongkong:
"Press telegram states British Government announces in House of Commons intention to issue immediate orders Hongkong Government to close opium houses forthwith. This would impose considerable financial hardship as owing to opium farmer's contracts not expiring until February, 1910, it would apparently involve payment of large compensation, in addition to prospective loss of revenue. Unfair to dislocate Colony's finance so suddenly. Urge you to represent need of proceeding less drastically; time is required for gradual re-adjustment of burden of taxation."
This telegram expresses a feeling of alarm with which my Committee have full sympathy, inasmuch as they feel that a sudden closure of the opium houses would dislocate the Colony's finances at a time when it is ill-prepared to withstand such a blow, and in this connection, I have the honour to enclose a Memorandum dealing with the trade depression existing at present in Hongkong.
From the report of the debate in the House of Commons on the 6th instant, there appears reason to hope that the fears expressed in the telegram may be exaggerated, as Colonel Seely is reported to have said that:-
"when it was a case of our own morals and other people's money, that made all the difference. He hoped that his Hon. friend would agree that they could not do all at once, and although he was able to state that it was intended to take action, he hoped that his Hon. friend would not be disappointed if it was not sudden action, in view of the difficulties of arranging revenue."
It may not, however, be inappropriate to offer some...
Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
Colonial Office
Downing Street, S.W.
Sir-
210
CHINA ASSOCIATION,
159, Cannon Street,
20th May, 19
E.C.
CO.
18229
I have the honour to submit for the considerato MAY 08 the Secretary of State a telegram from the Hongkong Branch of this
Association, based upon reports which have reached the Colony
of a recent debate in the House of Commons on the Opium question
as affecting Hongkong:
"Press telegram states British Goverment announces in House
of Commons intention issue immediate orders Hongkong Gover- mant to close opium houses forthwith. This would impose considerable financial hardship as owing to opium farmer's contracts not expiring until February, 1910, it would ap- parently involve payment of large compensation, in addition to prospective loss of revenue. Unfair to dislocate Colony's finance so suddenly. Urge you to represent need of proceed- ing less drastically; time is required for gradual re-ad- justment of burden of taxation."
This telegram expresses a feeling of alarm with which
my Committee have full sympathy, inasmuch as they feel that a
sudden closure of the opium houses would dislocate the Colony's
finances at a time when it is ill prepared to withstand such a
blow, and in this connection I have the honour to enclose a Memorandum dealing with the trade depression existing at present
in Hongkong.
From the report of the debate in the House of Commons on the the 6th instant, there appears reason to hope that the fears expressed in the telegram may be exaggerated, as Colonel Seely is reported to have said that:-
"when it was a case of our own morals and other people's
money, that made all the difference. He hoped that his Hon. friend would agree that they could not do all at once, and although he was able to state that it was intended to take action, he hoped that his Hon. friend would not be disap- pointed if it was not sudden action, in view of the diffi- culties of arranging revenue.
It may not, however, be inappropriate to offer some
..Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
Colonial Office
Downing Street, S..
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