CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 347

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British ships leaving that port for Manila.

The extent to which British interests are affected

at this port is easily gathered from a perusal of the

lists referred to and in my opinion any amelioration

of the present harassing situation should commence at

Hongkong, not at Manila, as Hongkong is the port of

origin of the smuggling.

During the period of time above mentioned one

hundred and five casca sf seizures have occurred in

connection with the steamships of the lines referred to,

and fines have been levied on them at Fanila, Cebu and

Iloilo amounting to more than seven thousand pesos.

A perusal of the enclosed correspondence soems to

indicate twe broad issues.

1. The action which ought in the interests of British

shipping to be taken in Hongkong, either by the Hongkong

Government, or by the Shipping Companies concerned,

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prevent opium being smuggled on board at Hongkong.

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344

India

The question is of such an important nature and so

vitally affects British shipping interests that this

action ought, in my opinion, to be taken by the Hongkong

Government and eught not to be left to private initiative.

2. The action which might possibly be taken by the

Philippine Government to impose severer bentences on the

smugglers of opium when arrested and tried.

When I am in a position to know what steps the

Hongkong Government are prepared to take in dealing with

this question at their end, I shall be enabled to

approach the Philippine Government with more certainty

of auccess on the second issus. In so far as the entry

of opium on British ships into Manila from Hongkong is

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concerned,