3
Bureau, in terms of which the consumption of opium is to be periodically diminished, by restricting the issue of licences to prepared opium shops, while at the same time revenue is to be maintained by a proportionate increase in the amount of the levy. In previous discussions of this question I have not failed to make it clear that such a course would be a distinct infraction of the agreement with Great Britain, and it has been acknowledged by the bureau that before it could be adopted it would have to receive the sanction of His Majesty's Government. I accordingly, on the 14th instant, addressed a protest in this sense to the Acting Governor-General, to which, so far, however, I have received no answer.
The second is the establishment of an absolute monopoly of the sale of raw opium in the hands of the guild (section 5, regulation 15). This has obviously been introduced to guard against purchases by the prepared opium dealers of raw opium from so-called foreigners--mostly half-castes, entitled to consular protection-in the city or on Shamien. This is a practice which has lately sprung up, and, as the sellers do not trouble to enquire whether or not the purchasers are licensed to buy, evasion of the regulations is of common occurrence. To your telegram of the 19th instant, asking if, in my opinion, the establishment of this monopoly would lead to further restrictions on the trade, I replied in the negative, basing my belief on the ground that such a policy would be suicidal. So long as opium smoking is allowed to continue, so long must it be to the benefit of the raw dealers to sell as much foreign opium as they can, and as the supplies of native opium to this province are dwindling rapidly, foreign opium will shortly be all they will have left to sell. Unless therefore they are anxious to institute a self-denying ordinance and abolish themselves prematurely, it is unlikely that they will seek to harass trade unduly. Another argument--although as the individuals concerned are Chinese, perhaps not a very convincing one-in favour of this supposition is that throughout it has been the Opium Guild which have denounced the Kuang Yuan office and all its ways. To follow in its footsteps therefore would be egregiously to stultify themselves. The avowed policy of the Opium Prohibition Bureau has been to suppress smoking as rigorously and as speedily as possibly; a body likely to be actuated to no inconsiderable extent by self-interest may not display equal zeal. It is in fact reported that they do not intend to enforce the levy on individual packages, but hope by an all-round raising of prices to pay the amounts due to the Provincial Government out of gross profits.
Thirdly, evidence of a desire to obviate objection on the part of foreigners is afforded by the procedure advocated for dealing with unbroken packages conveyed into the interior by persons not properly authorised to handle opium (section 5, regula- tion 17). No penalty is laid down; the drug is simply to be returned to its original
owner.
Fourthly and lastly, the regulations contain a provision for keeping the movements of native opium under more close observation and control (section 5, regulation 19).
It might not unwarrantably be inferred from the Acting Governor-General's minute on the guild's petition that the draft regulations had his entire approval, but, as I telegraphed to you two days ago, his adhesion is only pro forma. It has been demonstrated to him on paper that the new regulations will produce an increased revenue, and he cannot therefore well reject them offhand. He accordingly accepts them in principle, and directs the provincial treasurer to make investigation. His Excellency's is the open mind of confessed non-comprehension of the whole subject, associated with a feeling that, his temporary tenure of office being about to expire, it can well be left to his successor to carry on the fight. That the fight will prove a strenuous one there is little reason to doubt. The present collector has too much at stake, in the shape of moneys paid for obtaining the concession, to stand quietly by and allow the issue of a proclamation cancelling the same, and in his opposi tion thereto he is certain to receive the whole-hearted backing of the taotai in charge of the Opium Prohibition Bureau. From intelligence and newspaper reports, on the other hand, you must be aware how very largely the suppression of gambling looms in present day provincial politics, and the Opium Guild have made a by no means ill-conceived attempt to enlist sympathy and support by suggesting that the proceeds of the levy be devoted to the furthering of this eminently popular end.
The fight is likely to be a protracted one, and I will endeavour to keep you fully posted as to its progress.
I have, &c.
J. W. JAMIESON.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce to Sir J. Jordan.
Sir,
Hong Kong, December 12, 1910. I HAVE to confirm my telegram of the 10th instant dealing with the new phase of the opium monopoly question in Kwangtung, reading as follows:-
"Canton Viceroy minute published announcing proposed transfer opium monopoly to Opium Guild. Taxation as before to be increased later. Trade in raw opium only permitted under licence from guild. Strongly protest against this continued breach treaties and interference trade. Again urge suspension regulations and tax pending final agreement two Governments.-HEWETT, Chairman.
This message was forwarded through the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation by the courtesy of the chief manager.
Attached are copies of the Viceroy's minute and the new opium regulations, as published in the "Hong Kong Telegraph on the 9th December, the minute having originally appeared in the "Sai Kai Yik Po" of the 6th instant.
A careful perusal of the minute in question shows, as this chamber has all along maintained, that the new tax has been imposed-not, as the Viceroy and the so-called Anti-Opium Bureau state, with the view to checking the use of opium-but in order to secure a more thorough official supervision of the trade, with a view to increasing the revenue of the provinces. This additional revenue is, in part, required to make up the deficiency in the gambling licences, and it is in consequence of the revenue collected not coming up to the expectations of the officials that the proposed change is now contemplated.
As your Excellency is aware, hitherto the members of the Canton Opium Guild have repeatedly complained to the Hong Kong merchants that their business was being interfered with by the Government monopolists.
In order to purchase their assistance in levying this illegal tax on the raw opium trade the Viceroy has now decided to transfer the monopoly to the Canton Opium Guild, who are to receive 20 per cent, for their support.
The monopoly will in no way be changed with the exception that the amount of the tax now paid, and for which the raw opium dealers are held responsible, will be increased later on.
The chamber of commerce has from the first maintained that any monopoly, irrespective of by whom it is controlled, is contrary to treaty, and that the levy of any additional tax ou opium, except in the form of a terminal tax when the drug has actually reached the point of consumption, is also illegal.
The contemplated change, therefore, of the monopoly from the Kwong Wing Yuen firm to certain members of the Canton Opium Guild does not, in the opinion of this chamber, affect the question.
The whole arrangement is, we consider, contrary to treaty, and should be put a stop to; a return being made to the status quo ante until a fresh understanding has been come to between the Government of Great Britain and the Government of China.
Turning to the new regulations as published, the main features are as follows:---
REGULATION 1.
Sections 1 and 2 admit the existence of the monopoly, Section 3 compels all traders to join the monopoly.
REGULATION 2.
Section 8. Every tael of raw opium imported is to be taken as equal to 5 mace of prepared opium. The special tax on prepared opium is to be 30 cents per tael, to be increased later on. The concluding paragraph in this section is taken to mean that retail traders (keepers of divans) and smokers must hold licences issued monthly by the monopolists, and all raw opium is to be converted into the prepared drug within the month, thus compelling dealers to boil their opium within the month.
Section 9 calls attention to the necessity for observing the terms of the Chefoo
convention.
373
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.