2
'the bands of several grades of dealers, and that, if every dealer has to pay the tax of 40 cash per tacl weight, the same ball will be taxed many times over.
His Majesty's Minister, in view of similar complaints as to Rules published by their Excellencies the Viceroys at Canton and Nanking, addressed the Wai-wu Pu on the 4th January, pointing out that the arrangement as to the import of Indian opium leaves the trade in China subject to existing Treaty provisions, and that under these circumstances the application of prohibitive measures against the sale of raw opium imported by British firms is not only not sanctioned by any Agreement between the two Governments, but constitutes an infringement of the Treaty provisions, which preclude the establishment of a monopoly. Sir John Jordan therefore requested the foreign opium be excluded from the clauses in the Regulations which apply to the wholesale trade.
Ten days later the Wai-wu Pu replied that the system in Kiangnan applies only to native opium, and that in the Two Kuang there has never been any monopoly in the wholesale trade in foreign opium.
As your Excellency is aware, the additional Article of 1885, which regulated the trade in foreign opium, is still in force, and I have the honour to request that your Excellency will see that the new Regulations are modified, so as in no respect to conflict with its provisions, especially as to the taxation of the wholesale trade, and the repeated levy of the 40 cash rate on the same ball of raw drug. I have, &c.
(Signed)
E. H. FRASER.
3
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Specimens of Forms respecting Hupei Anti-Opium Rules.
Form of Opium Transit Pass.
issued by the Opium Suppression Head Office for the whole
of Hupei.
Pass Series
No.
WHEREAS the opium dealer
prefecture of the province of of raw opium from the for a permit:
, a native of the
shop for conveyance to
3
has bought
district taels
1
and applied
This is to certify that he is at liberty under this pass, duly entered in the register for reference, to take delivery of the cargo and convey it to
; but he must
not deviate on the way and sell it elsewhere on the pain of the confiscation of the whole consignment in addition to the proper punishment.
This pass is issued gratis, and may be used only once, becoming void after date and a fresh application being requisite for the next occasion.
Let each render obedience without fail.
(Translation.) Sir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Viceroy of Hukuang to Consul-General Fraser.
March 6, 1909.
I HASTEN to acknowledge receipt of your despatch with the contents of which I have made myself acquainted.
The system now enforced in Hupei under which smokers take out licenses to purchase opium is based on the Imperial command for the genuine suppression of opium and the ascertaining of the actual number of smokers.
There is no monopoly of the sale of the prepared drug, the existing raw and prepared opium shops being free to take out business permits and traffic as usual. Still less has any such abuse as engrossing or exclusive dealing been brought about. Moreover, although the police bureaux when issuing certificates to opium smokers for the purchase of the drug collect licence fees to meet the cost of opium suppression, these fees are by no means levied from the opium dealers; still less is there any levy each time opium passes through the hands of the various native dealers who distribute it. The British firm of Sassoon's Report must be a misunderstanding.
At present Indian opium imported is subjected to the Treaty charges and not an extra cash is levied on the Chinese dealers who distribute it. As you point out the most important point is the taxation which the wholesale opium trade has to bear. The present upei licence rules not only impose no burden whatever on British traders, but there is no idea either of imposing any burden on the large number of native dealers through whose hands the drug circulates.
In a word Hupei's policy is directed to the genuine suppression of opium by ascertaining the exact number of smokers. As the importation of Indian opium can be investigated yearly by the Hankow Customs figures, provided the gradual annual reduction in the sale of Indian opium agreed on between China and England can be faithfully carried out, I shall be fully convinced of your Government's extreme support of China in suppressing opium, and every Chinese, official or private person, will share my gratitude.
The special appointment of Delegates to the Shanghae Conference is itself a proof of fine regard for international friendship.
Your long residence at Hankow, which has made you specially familiar with the feelings of the people of Hupei, should insure your thorough sympathy with the
movement.
I have, &c. (Card of Viceroy Ch'en K'uei-lung.)
The above
Dated Hsuan T'ung,
series
No.
year,
moon,
is issued to
1
day.
Form of Opium Delivery Certificate.
Certificate Series
No.
issued by the Opium Suppression Head Office for the
whole of Hupei.
Whereas the
shop
shop, situated at
taels (of opium):
has contracted to buy
from the
This is to certify that it is at liberty to take delivery of the stuff and convey it to the shop for sale. Conveyance to any other place and illicit sale will entail forfeiture of the whole lot as well as the proper punishment.
This registered pass is issued gratis, and may be used only once, becoming void after date and a fresh application being requisite for the next occasion.
Let each render obedience without fail.
of
J
is issued to
day.
series
No.
*
*
year,
moon,
The above
Dated Hsuan Tung,
Form of Resident Smoker's Buying Licence.
Licence Series
No.
7
of
"
>
issued by the Opium Suppression Head Office for the
whole of Hupei.
of
>
1
in the district
years, residing at
+
Be it known that the smoker
Prefecture, aged
, has, besides being registered, smoking daily occupation,
entitling him every day at the issuing duly had issued to bim licence No. station to receive a certificate for purchasing opium daily or in one lot for a period not exceeding three moons, with ninety squares appended for the opium shop to record the amounts; and he should also, when buying, pay the regular licence rate to the opium shop, which will pay over its total rate receipts periodically. Purchase or use
B 2 [2274 a-
435
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