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expression of my Committee's views on the matter.
It is submitted that, in view of the fact that the opium monopoly in the Colony is farmed out for a period of three years, of which nearly two-thirds are at present unexpired, any sudden closing of the opium houses would involve not only a breach of contract which would conceivably mean ruin to the opium Farmer, but a great financial loss on the Colony, nearly one quarter of the Colonial revenue being derived from opium; heavy loss would moreover be caused to all the opium dealers and owners of divans who would assuredly clamour for compensation. And beyond the question of loss to the Colonial revenue and of breach of contract with the natives, there is the question of loss which would fall on British subjects engaged in the opium trade—a trade that has been recognised, and legislated for, by both the British and Chinese Governments. Such drastic methods as are feared in Hongkong would, it is contended, be unfair in every respect, whether as regards dislocation of the finances of the Colony, the interests of British subjects engaged in the trade, or the wrong which would be done to Chinese residents who have embarked their capital on the security of existing legislation.
It is gravely doubted, moreover, whether the sudden closing of the opium houses in Hongkong (or anywhere else) would have the seemingly expected result of suppressing the use of opium. On the contrary, it is believed that the first result would be the creation of an illicit traffic; which would not only discredit the Colony but would put a further burden upon its resources in the shape of a preventive service, at the moment when these resources are being diminished.
While acknowledging the evidence of sincerity on the part of many high officials in China in their desire to free the people from the opium habit, the Committee would wish better evidence than is at present available that the Authorities are honestly endeavouring, or are able, to enforce the prohibition of
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expression of my Committee's views on the matter.
It is submitted that, in view of the fact that the opi- um monopoly in the Colony is farmed out for a period of three years, of which nearly two-thirds are at present unexpired, any sudden closing of the opium houses would involve not only a breach of contract which would conceivably mean ruin to the opium Farmer, but a great financial loss on the Colony, nearly one quarter of the Colonial revenue being derived from opium; heavy loss would moreover be caused to all the opium dealers and owners of divans who would assuredly clamour for compensation. And beyond the question of loss to the Colonial revenue and of breach of contract with the natives, there is the question of loss which would fall on British subjects engaged in the opium trade a trade that has been recognised, and legislated for, by both the British and Chinese Governments. Such drastic methods as are feared in Hongkong would, it is contended, be unfair in every respect, whether as regards dislocation of the finances of the Colony, the interests of British subjects engaged in the trade, or the wrong which would be done to Chinese residents who have
embarked their capital on the security of existing legislation.
It is gravely doubted, moreo-ver, whether the sudden closing of the opium houses in Hongkong (or anywhere else) would have the seemingly expected result of suppressing the use of
opium. On the contrary, it is believed that the first result
would be the creation of an illicit traffic; which would not
only discredit the Colony but would put a further burden upon its
resources in the shape of a preventive service, at the moment
when these resources are being diminished.
While acknowledging the evidence of sincerity on the
part of many high officials in China in their desire to free the
people from the opium habit, the Committee would wish better evi-
dence than is at present available that the Authorities are
honestly endeavouring, or are able, to enforce the prohibition of
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.