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Extract from the Hongkong Daily Press of 15th September,1910.
THE OPIUM MONOPOLY TAX.
British Protest.
The following telegram has been sent to the Viceroy of
Canton by the Waiwupu:-
"In reference to the Board's telegram to you of the 30th of
the 7th moon.
"The British Minister has again reported that opium has been illegally seized in Swatow, Samshui, San Tong and other places. Prp- test had been repeatedly made against such action without effect. The
illegal seizure of opium still continues.
The Minister's informa-
tion is that on the 4th day of the 7th moon the firms named Po Fung and Po Ying were each fined $350 for having sold 116 balls of opium without reporting the same to Kwong Wing Yuen, the opium farmer, & falling to ask the purchasers of the opium to pay the new tax. This opium, it is stated, was sold by the two firme previous to the new tax coming into force. Also the firm of Cho Kee of Shui Hing was forced under threats of cancelling their licence, to pay the new tax on eight cheats of raw opium sold before the new law came into force. The farmer took no notice of the fact that the duty and likin tax on the said opium had already been paid. The British Minister states that he reported these actions of the Canton authorities to his Home Government, and has received a telegram stating that though the general question is still under discussion a strong protest should be made at once against the action of the
Canton Authorities.
Whatever ex-
"It has come to our knowledge that the so-called prepared opium tax is in reality another tax on raw opium. planation may be given, it will not be accepted by the foreigners.
Therefore
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