CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 467

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[This Document the Property of His Britanie Majesty's Government.] · 465

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OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[6885]

No. 1.

CO 0653

[February 24.]

SECTION 1.

India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received February 24).

Sir,

India Office, February 23, 1911. WITH reference to Sir John Jordan's telegram No. 41, R., dated the 15th February, transmitted in your letter of the 15th February, I am directed to forward, to be laid before Sir Edward Grey, a copy of a telegram from the Government of India, dated the 18th February, on the subject of proposed modifications of the duties on Indian opium imported into China. The Government of India have been instructed to repeat the telegram to Sir J. Jordan.

I have, &c.

J. W. HOLDERNESS, Secretary,

Revenue and Statistics Department.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Government of India to Earl of Crewe.

February 18, 1911.

(Telegraphic.) P.

OPIUM negotiations. Sir J. Jordan's telegram of the 15th February. An ad valorem duty on import would result in endless uncertainty, appeals, and disputes, and it would inevitably be worked to the prejudice of Indian revenue and trade. We trust that every effort will be made to oppose it. Provided that an equivalent tax is put upon native opium, and made effective, we cannot oppose an increase in the consolidated duty, and any reasonable figure would be gladly accepted by our merchants in place of the arbitrary exactions now levied. But the duty must be fixed and quantitative; that is essential.

[1897

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