CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 13

[This Document is the Froï

CHINA TRADE.

CONFIDENTIAL.

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No. 1.

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[December 21 14 JAN 10)

SECTION 1.

Sir,

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received December 21.)

Downing Street, December 20, 1909. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of Secretary Sir Edward Grey, copy of despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong (with enclosures), on the subject of regulations imposed by the Chinese officials in Kuangtung restricting the trade in opium.

I am, &e.

FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD.

My Lord,

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Governor Sir F. Lugard to the Earl of Crewe.

Government House, Hong Kong, November 11, 1909. I HAVE the honour to forward for your Lordship's information copies of the correspondence concerning the imposition by the Chinese officials in Kuangtung of regulations restricting the free trade in foreign opium contrary to the provision of existing treaties.

2. The grievance of the wholesale dealers in foreign opium has been recognised as legitimate by His Majesty's Minister at Peking and His Majesty's consul-general at Canton, and I have the honour to suggest that as the three years' preliminary period for restriction of the export of opium from India to China is now approaching its conclusion, His Majesty's Government should, before extending it for a further term, insist upon adequate and satisfactory guarantee that treaty rights and legitimate trade will not be interfered with.

3. In accordance with the instructions contained in your Secret despatch of the 26th August, 1909, I have not addressed the Minister at Peking on this subject, but I am sending him a copy of this despatch in accordance with your Lordship's instructions.

I have, &c.

F. D. LUGARD.

Sir,

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to Sir J. Jordan,

Hong Kong, September 30, 1909. BEG to confirm my telegram of the 23rd instant sent through the Hong Kong and Shangbae Banking Corporation which reads as follows :----

"In consequence of representations made by British opium firms, chamber of commerce bring to your Excellency's notice the fact that Chinese officials in Kwantung are again imposing regulations complained of in our telegram of the 24th September last, and which we were informed in your despatch to Governor, Hong Kong, dated the 5th February, would apply to native opium only.

HEWETT, Chairman.”

The committee of the chamber held a meeting on the 23rd instant when this question wasfully discussed, the manner in which these impositions and restrictions had been placed upon the trade of foreign opium being explained in a memorandum from the British opium firms.

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