CO129-375 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [1-2] — Page 104

C

4988

COPY.

1.

97

Draft of Telegram to Government

of India.

Hongkong Opium Merchants unenimously

object to the novel distinetion suggested by the Board of

Finance between Indien Opium exported to China and exported else,

-where. They are of opinion that it is impossible for so large

a quantity as 16,000 chests to be consumed outside Chine and

they represent that a considerable amount of the nominal

export to the Straits has always been re-exported to China.

They consider that a reasonable figure for consumption outside

China would be 8,000 chests and that if a higher figure is

given it must result in smuggling to China of opium not

KERKİNEA COvered by certificates. They would prefer that no

distinction should be made but if that is not now possible

they suggest that the total number of Bengal chests sold for

export from India to all countries including China during 1911

should be 24,000 chests instead of 31,440 chests.

They also wish that in order to prevent

smuggling from Hongkong Opium exported to Hongkong should be under certificate as in the case of opium exported to China

provided always that the Hongkong Opium Farmer should be allow- -ed the 900 chests he is allowed by his contraet with the Hong-

-kong Government to draw in 1911 for local consumption.

એમેન્ટ અને સ્વપ