CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 321

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.}

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

318

CO

20857

IRECO [June2! 10

SECTION 3.

[23123]

No. 1.

Sir,

China Association to Foreign Office.-(Received June 27.)

159, Cannon Street, London, June 24, 1910. I HAVE the honour to submit, for the consideration of His Majesty's Government, the following telegram received from the association's Hong Kong branch:-

"Opium monopoly instituted Cauton similar attempt made September 1908; also heavy new tax imposed; beg you urge identical objection raised our wire of 25th September, 1908; these then received consular support now denied. Indian Government sale effected on strength belief British Government prepared maintain position then adopted; our opinion is nothing happened since to justify any change official attitude."

A copy of the telegram of the 25th September, 1908, was submitted to the Foreign Office under cover of a letter dated the 28th idem, in which reference was invited to a memorandum forwarded by the association in August 1907 relative to an attempt by the Viceroy of Canton to place such restrictions upon the sale of opium as practically amounted to the creation of a monopoly. The present attempt is by the imposition of a tax amounting to 300 dollars per chest on prepared opium, to he collected from and under the guarantee of dealers in raw opium, who will be required to take out new licences from a Chinese firm in Canton holding the Viceroy's authority. Only the method employed, it will be noted, is different; the end in view-the collection of revenne-is the same. Hence my committee again advance the arguments set forth in the memorandum referred to above.

While there is every sympathy with the Chinese Government in its efforts to eradicate the smoking of opium, it would appear from the Hong Kong telegram that the measures instituted at Canton, of which our branch complains, are levelled solely at foreign opium, and are thus at variance with the foundation of the understanding with China, by which the curtailment of native and foreign opium should proceed pari passu. By the imposition of a differential tax against foreign opium the main object of that understanding will be frustrated. My committee cannot think that it is a good precedent to acquiesce in interference with the freedom of legitimate trade or with the taxation stipulated for under the Chefoo convention so long as that treaty remains in force.

My committee therefore respectfully express the hope that His Majesty's Government will take such steps as may be advisable to maintain our treaty rights, under the protection of which the Indian sales of opium are effected, and to oppose the imposition of illegal taxation.

I have, &c.

[2793 dd-3]

F. ANDERSON,

Chairman.