CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 117

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

-

[October 23.]

SECTION 1

[41769]

No. 1.

C O 36988

India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received October 23.)}

Sir,

Maces

RES17 NOV 11 India Office, October 21, 111 WITH reference to Mr. Langley's letter, dated the 14th August, enclosing copy of a telegram from Sir J. Jordan, No. 174, dated the 11th August, regarding the contemplated prohibition by the Chinese Government of the import of prepared opium into China, I am directed to forward, for the observations of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a letter from the Government of India, dated the 28th September, enclosing copy of a letter from Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., and other opium merchants, complaining of the absence of any restrictions on such importation.

I am,

&c.

J. W. HOLDERNESS.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Sir,

Government of India to India Office.

Simla, September 28, 1911. I AM directed to forward a copy of a letter, dated the 10th August, 1911, from Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. and other opium merchants, in which they complain of the absence of any restriction on the importation of prepared opium into China, and express the fear that uncertified opium will, in these circumstances, readily effect an entrance. 1 am to suggest that, with the permission of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for India, it may be ascertained whether any precautions are, or can be, taken to keep out such imports.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

I am, &c.

JAS. MESTON.

Sir,

Joint Letter addressed to Government of India.

Bombay, August 10, 1911. WE have the honour to address you with reference to a circular recently issued by the Inspector-General of Peking to all the Commissioners of Customs, notifying increase of duty and li-kin on prepared opium.

The text of the circular is as follows:-

an

"Collect on boiled opium arriving, no matter whether from foreign or Chinese ports, import duty and li-kin at the rate of 200 Haikwan taels and 500 Haikwan taels respectively per 100 catties, and ou boiled opium exported, similarly irrespective of origin or destination, an export duty of 460 Haikwan taels per 100 catties. "In fixing these new duty rates the same principle which decided the old rates has been adhered to, viz., that of doubling the rate for the crude article, and further that, in future, as hitherto, boiled opium not exceeding 10 taels weight for personal use may be carried by travellers duty free both inwards and outwards,'

We make no comment on the enhancement of li-kin and duty, but what we are most anxious to bring to your immediate attention is the fact that no restriction is imposed upon the quantities of prepared opium that may be taken in and out of China. It will be readily seen that this has a most important bearing upon the position of certified Bengal opium. Uncertified opium is, in its raw state, debarred from entry, yet in accordance with the notification of the inspector-general buyers

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