CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 222

Translation. C

Inclosure 2. in Sir Joàs, joina's Nos 456 of December 16, 1420

572

1671

Prof 18 JAN 11

Proclamation issued by Chuan, Pesident Sultangent

of the Head Office for the Investigation of matters con-

nected with the Prepared Opium Levy.

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3

1

In accordance with instructions received from the Opiu

Prohibition Bureau a report was drawn up by this Office in which the subject of the purchase of raw opium in Hong-

Kong by Kianghsi dealers and its subsequent transportation

was carefully considered and improved procedure suggested.

Instructions were requested as to the action to be taken

and the following roply from the Pureau has now bec n ro-

ceived "Were the Kianhsi raw opium dealers who now

make their purchases of raw opium in Hongkong

to be com-

pelled to make them from Shanchi, obstruction to trade

would, it is feared, be the result. The deputy in charg

of the Investigation Office should endorse on the permit

all the places to be passed in transat. The opium will be released and permitted to pass out of the district if the

Investigation Offices at the nearest points after examin-

ation find no discrepancy between the permit and the rooas.

The said deputy should further ascertain the amount of raw opium taken last year to Kinghsi from Panton and this quantity should be reduced in a definite annual proportion in order that the policy of restriction be duly carried

out *.

Now in view of the suppression of opium which is being effected it is essential that increased restrictions be plac d on the amount of opium exported. It has been as- certained that in the whole of last year only some 500 chests of raw opium were exported from Canton to Kianchsi It is now proposed taking last year's figures as a basis to curtail the export of raw opium cach year by 30 / .In