CO129-392 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [9-10] — Page 298

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to 133 chests per annum. For the above reasons, the Superintendent of Imports and Exports considers, and I agree with him, that 150 chests per annum is a liberal estimate of the legitimate local consumption of Macao.

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6.

During the 12 months ending on 30th. June last, the Macao Opium Farmer boiled more than 450 chests for local con- -sumption. It is impossible to escape the conviction that this excessive quantity is due to the difference of price between certificated and uncertificated opium, which has rendered smuggling into China profitable.

7.

During the first 6 months of 1911, the liacao Opium Farmer boiled 114 chests for export to Mexico: in the next 12 months, he boiled 344 chests for the same purpose. In 1910, the amount of prepared opium exported to Mexico from Hongkong did not exceed 40,000 taels or the equivalent of a little over 36 chests, and Macao exported very little prepared opium in that year as al- -ready explained. The inference therefore is that the large export to Mexico is not for legitimate purposes. In the absence however of information as to what the requirements in Mexico really are, it is impossible to make a trustworthy estimate of what the export of prepared opium to that country should be. I have recently

addressed an enquiry, of which I enclose a copy, to His Britannic

Majesty's Minister there, on this subject.

I suggested in a cypher telegram of the 15th.

instant that the Foreign Office should make similar enquiry. The

following is a paraphrase of my message:-

With reference to your telegram of the 26th. September

the statement of Macao's local consumption leaves

here 16th. instant via Siberia. It is impossible to

estimate the legitimate export to Mexico without knowing the legitimate requirements of that country. I suggest that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should

prosecute

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