CO129-354 - Public Offices & Others - 1908 — Page 364

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

It is true that the present outbreak seems to be exceptionally severe.

The last serious outbreak was in September 1906, and I have thought that we got over the effects of that cyclone. However, since then, high exchange value rates followed, and the abolition of the revenue from opium has been a matter of concern for the Colony.

I know of nothing that can justify such expressions of deplorable condition in funds. The Colony has barely acknowledged that the situation is requiring due consideration.

RE 614 to whose representations I should acknowledge C.P.L. without comment.

25 Park Lane, W.

4th June

Dear [Name],

As you already know, the Hong Kong Colony is greatly perturbed at the proposal of the Home Government to close the opium houses.

It has been assumed that the action would be immediate. There can be no doubt of the serious difference which would be made in the finances of the Colony by an immediate prohibition of opium smoking.

The Colony is suffering severely from bad trade. The yarn trade with India is in a depressed condition, and the losses both of merchants and dealers are very heavy. Failures have occurred, involving many people in absolute ruin.

The volume of trade in tussore (the trade pass has also been bad) has been inflicted a heavy blow upon all who have their capital invested in the Colony.

Plague and typhoons have accentuated the distress.

I may possibly be seeing Mr. Sale shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Lugard

Page 11/6

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It is true that the present outbreak seems to be exceptionally severe. The last serious outbreak was in September 1906, and I have thought that we got over the effects of that cyclone. However, since then, high exchange value rates followed, and the abolition of the revenue from opium has been a matter of concern for the Colony. I know of nothing that can justify such expressions of deplorable condition in funds. The Colony has barely acknowledged that the situation is requiring due consideration. RE 614 to whose representations I should acknowledge C.P.L. without comment. 25 Park Lane, W. 4th June Dear [Name], As you already know, the Hong Kong Colony is greatly perturbed at the proposal of the Home Government to close the opium houses. It has been assumed that the action would be immediate. There can be no doubt of the serious difference which would be made in the finances of the Colony by an immediate prohibition of opium smoking. The Colony is suffering severely from bad trade. The yarn trade with India is in a depressed condition, and the losses both of merchants and dealers are very heavy. Failures have occurred, involving many people in absolute ruin. The volume of trade in tussore (the trade pass has also been bad) has been inflicted a heavy blow upon all who have their capital invested in the Colony. Plague and typhoons have accentuated the distress. I may possibly be seeing Mr. Sale shortly. Yours sincerely, Lugard Page 11/6 u.6
Baseline (Original)
: it is true that the present outbreak seems to to exceptionally seve time wzy tot. The last seria B oue. of year. Sept 1906 for this cyclone I have thought got over the effuts a paund of the it then wo han nar especially (to adopt se Sassoon's notions) since high exchange voler rates follarod The abolitio revreme is Carzze for the Colay but a of an opium matter I know of nothing justify such expussians deplorable condition in funds. Itself. wh the [ au Colay bare ackumiligment. that the SAS If anything by and a is requérand ? upl ar 7 Lugard present awaiting the obsa an of Sink he will Güven due considerati. RE 614 to whose representations An to the commercial position &prospecti ( Mo El. en Que 18229 h 11/6 I should acknowledge C.PL. without comment # I thithe an acker from W Privati Samling umes 12 358 25 Park Lang, W. 4th June's Dear pro [reve, Assyou already know the HongKont Colony is greatly perturbed at the propiral of the Home Govern next 10 Close the O prim houses - It has ben Asarimed that the action would be immediate There can be no doubt of the serious Hisprence which comed be max in the finances of the Colony by an immediate of opium gonium. and Gromed like to lay Iress upon Artain Considerations which have a Very practical bearing upon this matter The Colony is Suffering Desionaly from bas trade. The Yarn trade with India isin a depressed Andition & the losses both merchants & dealers are very heavy. Failures have occurred woolinfoman people in Absolute ruin Volophage of the trade in tuse (o trade pas also been bad) (by the fallin Silar pas inflicted a heavy blows upon all who have their Capital invested in the Colony. (Es Plaque & typhoons han accentuated The distress I may possibly be Mr. Sale be sufficient Achdy 11/6 u.6
2026-06-07 18:35:40 · Baseline
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:

it is true that the present outbreak seems to to exceptionally seve

time

wzy

tot.

The last seria

B

oue.

of year.

Sept 1906

for this

cyclone I have thought

got over

the

effuts

a

paund of

the it then wo han

nar

especially (to adopt se

Sassoon's notions) since

high exchange voler rates follarod

The abolitio

revreme is

Carzze

for the Colay but

a

of an opium

matter

I know of nothing

justify such expussians deplorable condition in

funds. Itself.

wh the

[

au

Colay

bare ackumiligment.

that the SAS

If anything by and

a

is

requérand

? upl

ar

7

Lugard

present awaiting

the obsa

an

of Sink

he

will

Güven

due considerati.

RE

614

to whose representations

An to the commercial position &prospecti

(

Mo

El. en

Que

18229

h

11/6

I should acknowledge C.PL.

without comment

#

I thithe

an acker from

W

Privati Samling

umes

12

358

25 Park Lang, W.

4th June's

Dear pro [reve,

Assyou already know the HongKont Colony is greatly perturbed at the propiral of the Home Govern next 10

Close the

O prim

houses

-

It has ben

Asarimed that the action would be immediate

There can be no doubt of the serious Hisprence which comed be max in the

finances of the Colony by an immediate

of opium gonium. and Gromed like to lay Iress upon

Artain Considerations which have a Very practical bearing upon this matter

The Colony is Suffering Desionaly from bas trade. The Yarn trade with India isin a depressed Andition & the losses both

merchants & dealers are very heavy. Failures have occurred woolinfoman people in Absolute ruin

Volophage of the trade in tuse

(o

trade pas also been bad)

(by the fallin Silar pas inflicted a heavy

blows upon all who have their Capital invested in the Colony.

(Es Plaque & typhoons han accentuated

The distress

I may possibly be

Mr. Sale

be sufficient

Achdy

11/6

u.6

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