CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 19

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Sir,

Enclosure 3 in No. 1.

Colonial Secretary, Macao, to Acting Portuguese Consul, Singapore.

Macao, March 23, 1912. I AM requested by his Excellency the governor to thank you for the letter of the 8th instant and for the telegram you had the kindness to send me with regard to the prohibition of the exportation of opium to Macao.

2. It was only in November last that the Macao opium farmer began to import raw opium from India, via Singapore, because, on that date, Hong Kong, whose market used to supply opium to the Macao opium farm, prohibited the importation and transport of uncertified opium, with the exception only of opium for the use of Hong Kong opium farm. In view of this prohibition, the Macao opium farmer was compelled to order opium from Calcutta and to ship it directly to Macao,

It being impossible for big steamers to enter the inner harbour of Macao, the Macao opium farmer decided to send raw opium from Calcutta to Singapore on board steamers of Calcutta-Singapore line, and to charter a small steamer to transport this opium directly from Singapore to Macao, as there is no line of steamers between these two ports.

This is the origin of the importation of opium from Calcutta via Singapore.

3. The Macao opium farmer could not buy a small quantity of opiuin each time, because by chartering a steamer for the transportation of opium the price of the drug would increase extraordinarily. Consequently the shipments of opium to Macao viâ Singapore have been comparatively great. But this does not by any way mean that the production of prepared opium has increased.

Kaw opium, as soon as it comes to Macao, remains under the control of the Portuguese authorities, who, for this purpose, co-operate with the Chinese Customs in absolutely the same way as is adopted by the authorities in the neighbouring colony of Hong Kong.

Of all the cases imported from Singapore during the last four months, only one part was destined for the production of prepared opium for the use of Macao and for the exportation to Mexico and Panamá, all the remainder being kept in deposit under the control of the Government.

4. The quantity mentioned in your letter-ten cases per month-is not enough, and it was never enough, for the necessities of the Macao opium farm. Only the consumption of the prepared opium in the colony of Macao demands more than thirty cases per month, not taking into consideration the exportation of prepared opium to Mexico and Panamá, which only itself demands a quantity never less than the product of fifty cases of raw opium per month.

5. It is also not natural that the importation, via Singapore, should harm the trade of that port of call or cause the increase of price, as Singapore represents only a place of transhipment, and the opium that comes to Macso had already entered at Singapore, from India with special destination.

6. I an further requested by his Excellency the governor to thank you for all the efforts you had the kindness to employ in this matter, and to ask you to obtain from the Government of Singapore the withdrawal of the prohibition of the exportation of opium to Macao. It is not for the consequences which in practice may result from the prohibition, but for its unpleasant aspect, that his Excellency wishes the withdrawal. As you will see from this letter, nothing can justify that such an exceptional measure should be adopted for Macao.

consequences.

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I am to ask that you will cause to be conveyed to his Excellency the Governor of Macao an assurance that the steps which this Government considered it necessary to take in the interests of this colony were in no way intended to convey any reflection on the Portuguese authorities.

3. As regards the request in the last paragraph of your letter, I am to state that the matter has been reported to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that before taking any further action it will be necessary for his Excellency to learn his views.

I have, &c.

A. T. BRYANT,

Enclosure 5 in No. 1.

Mr. Harcourt to Governor Sir A. Young.

(Confidential.)

Downing Street, July 19, 1912. Sir,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 4th June, enclosing correspondence with the acting consul for Portugal with regard

to the prohibition of the export of opium to Macao.

2. I consider that the prohibition should be maintained.

I have, &c.

L. HARCOURT.

Enclosure 4 in No. 1.

[Unsigned.]

Acting Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements, to Acting Portuguese Consul, Singapore.

Sir,

Singapore, May 22, 1912.

I AM directed by the Government to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of

the 16th instant, which as been submitted to his Excellency,

2. His Excellency understands from a perusal of your letter that his Excellency the Governor of Macao considers that the action of this Government is not justified, and regrets it more on account of its unpleasant aspect than ou account of its