"As the places of origin of Turkish a d Persian opium are near each other the former is entered in the Custome Returns under the same heading as Persian opium and no differentiation is made.
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"In accordance with the instructions which I have recul- ved to devise means for restricting the import, I now propose that measures similar to those adopted by the British Gov· rn- ment to limit the export of foreign opium from In la gould be taken in Cina to limit the import of Turkish and Persian opium. By striking an average between the quantities of Persian and Turkish opium imported during the years 1906 and 1907 the mean annual import may be fixed at 1120 piculs. I would suggest that no attempt should be made to reduce the import below this figure for the present y ar but that, commencing withthe year 1909 the following scheme should be put in operation.:
*1. From January 1st 1909 any merchant wishing to import into any pen port in China ang Persian or Turkish opium must apply to the Coumi sioner of Customs at "owloon for a special permit, on for each chest of opium. This per it shall state that the opium may h shipped to any open pert in China and that on its arrival duty and likin will be paid
in accordance with the regulations. Any Persian or Turkish opium shipped to China for which this special permit cannot he pro- duced shall be confiscated.
"Taking 1,125 piculs as the mean annual import of Persian and Turkish opium this quantity shall be reduced every year by one-ninth, i.e., 125 piculs. Thus in 1909 special permits will only be issued for 1000 piculs ane by making a similar r-duc- tion annually the import will entirely cease in 9 years. After 1916 no more special permits will be ingued and the import into
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