CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 328

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

OPIUM,

CONFIDENTIAL.

CO

34472

[October 31.]

SECTION 1.

REC Rra910 NOV or

[38445]

No. 1.

Sir,

Foreign Office to China Association.

Foreign Office, October 31, 1910. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant enquiring as to the present position of affairs with regard to the opium regulations issued by the provincial authorities of Kwantung.

In reply I am to inform you that, while it is to be regretted that the regulations in question have not yet been repealed, the Chinese Government have approached His Majesty's Government with certain proposals which it is hoped may offer a basis of settlement for the opium question in general. These proposals are now in course of negotiation, and it is not possible, therefore, to make any statement at this moment as to their nature.

It will, however, be the endeavour of His Majesty's Government to secure reasonable protection for the wholesale trade in foreign opium against arbitrary taxation of a discriminating character, while co-operating with the Chinese Government in their efforts to restrict the opium habit among the general population and recognising their right to regulate the retail trade.

I am, &c.

F. A. CAMPBELL.

[2957 hh-

-1]

327

}