CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 17

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fact, which I made clear to M. Sanches de Miranda,

that the success of the efforts of this Govermet

to stop the smuggling of opium and indeed the

financial success of a Government opium monopoly

in Hongkong, depend largely on the restriction

of smuggling from Macao. The means of communication

between Macao and Hongkong are frequent and easy,

and the opportunities of smuggling prepared opium

into the Colony and through the Colony on board

of steamers to other countries are so many, that

with an excessive supply of opium in Macao the

consequent smuggling must largely defy the utmost

vigilance of any preventive staff no matter

whom organised.

I have the honour to be,

+ by

sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

Homag

Governor,&c.

The Right Honourable

Lewis Vernon Harcourt.H.P.

&c. &c. &c.

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