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Enclosure 4 in No. 1.
Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. and Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Co. to Consul-General
Sir,
Jamieson.
Hong Kong, May 2, 1910. WE have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo with reference to the proposed new tax on opium in Canton.
We now beg to send you enclosed copies of three proclamations issued by the Opium Bureau, with translations thereof. From these you will observe that, although the proposed tax is purported to be imposed on prepared opium, yet it is really to be levied on raw opium and collected from the wholesale dealers.
to
According to the additional articles of the Chefoo Convention, duty and li-kin having been paid to the Imperial Maritime Customs, foreign opium is not to be subjected any further taxation except at the place of consumption, and then only provided that a similar tax is imposed on the native drug. In this instance, not only is the tax to be levied at a treaty port-in itself a breach of treaty rights-but whole packages bearing the Customs certificate will also be subjected to this taxation, as in the majority of cases the Canton dealers sell wholesale.
Under the circumstances, you will see that we are justified in protesting against the imposition of this tax, which has already had the effect of demoralising the market, and we hope you will see your way to take the necessary steps to protect the interests of the British importers.
We may mention, for your information, that Kwong Wing Yuen, the party authorised by the bureau to collect the new taxes, is, we are given to understand, to retain 30 per cent. of the amount so collected.
last.
We have also again to draw your attention to the restriction imposed on the Nam Hung merchants, about which we had the honour to address you on the 28th December This restriction, we are advised, is now being enforced; and, as we pointed out at the time, it is detrimental to our business and an infringement of our rights secured We therefore by treaties, inasmuch as it interferes with the freedom of the trade. hope you will make the necessary representations to the proper authorities, with a view of bringing about its removal.
We have, &c.
DAVID SASSOON and Co. (Limited)
(R. M. JOSEPH, Manager).
E. D. SASSOON AND Co.
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the difficulty in going on with their work; must not exceed their duty and power. They must also work with one mind, and clear all misunderstandings. As the date for (starting this business is rapidly approaching, all raw opium dealers in Canton, and prefectures, sub-prefectures, districts, and commercial centres outside the limits of the city, should work together in making preparatory arrangements, should at once consider the matter heartily and co-operatively, and should quietly wait for our issue of a notification appointing a date for collecting the taxes in question. As regards the notices that have been distributed to the raw opium dealers in connection with this matter they are now rendered null and void, so as to place the responsibility on those afterwards appointed.
Issued on the 7th day of the 3rd moon in the 2nd year of the reign of Emperor Suen Tung, and given to Kwong Wing Yuen (Leung Chiu Tong, master) and Ki On Tai for execution in accordance with the wording of the notification.
(2.)
Now, according to the statement of the manager of Ki On Tai, made personally, the responsibility is, in his opinion, important and great, and he is unwilling to take the work unto himself. We have repeatedly advised and encouraged him, but he is firm in his refusal. We have originally entrusted the work to Kwong Wing Yuen and Ki On Tai. As the latter has withdrawn, Kwong Wing Yuen should take the sole responsibility to himself, and should not make any evasive excuse, and cause hindrance to this important business. All preparatory arrangements are to be carried out in accordance with our previous notification.
Issued on the evening of the 7th day of the 3rd moon, in the 2nd year of the reign of Emperor Suen Tung, for the information of Kwong Wing Yuen.
(3.)
Enclosure 5 in No. 1.
Proclamations issued by the Opium Bureau.
(1.)
THE head bureau for the suppression of opium in the whole province of Kwong Tung hereby issue this notification, as follows:-
We have obtained the sanction of his Excellency the Viceroy of Canton in the matter of levying a tax on prepared opium in the issue of licences and permits; the object is to make a thorough investigation into whether a restraint may be put upon the consuming public. We have already made an estimate of the revenue derived from this source, and will place the responsibility for collecting these taxes on raw opium dealers. They must be well-to-do and sincere before they are compatible for this undertaking. As the result of an enquiry made, we have found that, since the enforcement of the purchase of unprepared opium under the permit system on the 10th moon of last year, that Kwong Wing Yuen is doing most of the business in foreign raw opium among the dealers, while Ki On Tai is taking the lead in effecting sales of native raw opium. It has come to our notice that both of them are well-to-do and sincere merchants. They are thus fit for such selection. But as the work concerns the whole province of Canton, all matters connected with collecting taxes, checking the smuggling of opium and its seizures are multifarious and delicate in the beginning They (the two merchants) must understand the importance of the affair; must not fear
The head bureau for the suppression of opium in the province of Kwong Tung hereby issue this notification. We have telegraphed to the Board of Finance on the matter of levying a tax on prepared opium, and received a reply sanctioning our making a trial with the project. It is to be done after the ways or methods that are being used in the province of Kiang So, and for every tael of prepared opium the tax is 30 cents. We have instructed all the raw opium dealers to examine the permits and tax so much as the weight of the opium may be. This is done in order to investigate into the amount of consumption, and put a restraint upon the smokers. We have already given order to Lenng Chin Tong, master of Kwong Wing Yuen (a raw opium dealer), to get the other shops to join him in this work. We have fixed the 1st day of the 4th moon (9th May, 1910) as the date to begin collecting this new tax. Besides sending up a report to his Excellency on the matter and informing (other officials) the same, we think it fit to notify the raw opium dealers, purchasers, smokers, and the like to obey our notification. It should be understood that the new taxation affects the smokers only, and entertains no prejudice to those trading in raw opium. The smokers should obey our order and pay the tax. Hereafter, if any of them be found acting to the contrary, the perpetrators will suffer punishment due to his fault. Now that the price of opium has risen considerably it behoves the smokers to feel remorseful, and rid themselves of their old indulgence. If any of the raw opium dealers be discovered carrying on the trade stealthily, fraudulently, illegally, or nefariously, he will be sent for to give up his licence and ordered to close his shop, while punishment will be meted out to him as a warning to others, and no leniency will be shown.
All of you obey and beware of our special notification.
Issued on the 17th day of the 3rd moon, in the second year of the reign of Emperor Suen Tung.
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