CO129-393 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [11] — Page 252

ONFIDENTIAL.

Sir,

Visa -73

244

C.0.

40482

Rece

[RFG 21 DEC 12

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 21st. November, 1912.

239*

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt

do.

do.

of your Confidential Despatch of the 26th. October on the subject

of the draft bill to amend the Opium Ordinance, 1909.

2.

With regard to the suggestion in paragraph 3 of the Despatch that the amount of prepared opium which the Farmer may sell to any person other than his licensees should be reduced to three taels, I would remark that after sending my Despatch of the 23rd. of August I decided to make the reduction to ten taels with a view to preventing any person buying prepared opium in large quantities for the purpose of simgeling it out of the Colony. It was considered that the reduction to ten taels would effect this,

and the Farmer is much opposed to any further reduction as he states that the prepared opium is made up in tins containing five taels and two taels and in pots containing one tael. He adds that it is no uncommon thing for smokers who live at a distance to pur- -chase several five tael tins. I agree, however, that a further reduction should be made and I would suggest five taels or one of the large tins. I do not think any serious hardship would be caused either to the Farmer or to the public by such a reduction, and I should be glad to have your approval of it.

3.

Since writing my Despatch of the 23rd. August

it has been found necessary to make further amendments in the bill,

HE RIGHT HONOURABLE

and

&C..

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

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&c...

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