[
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30158]
No. 1.
0.0
[July 16.]
SECTION 1.
}
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received July 16.)
Downing Street, July 15, 1912. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, with reference to letter to the Colonial Office of the 5th July, a copy of a despatch from the Officer administering the Government of Hong Kong (with enclosures) on the subject of the Indian opium trade and the advisability of discontinuance of sales by Government of India.
I am, &c.
JOHN ANDERSON.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Officer administering the Government of Hong Kong to Mr. Harcourt.
(Confidential.!
Sir,
Hong Kong, June 12, 1912, IN confirmation of my telegrain of the 11th June, I have the honour to inform you that on the 7th June the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce addressed the enclosed letter to the Colonial Secretary, who upon receipt of it had a meeting with representatives of Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. (Limited) and Messrs E. D. Sassoon and Co. These gentlemen explained that at the May sales certified Patna opium fetched 5,600 rupees a chest and uncertified Patna opium 2,100 rupees a chest, whereas at the June sales the certified opium fetched 3,900 rupees and the uncertified 1,850 rupees a chest. There had thus been a decline of 1,700 rupees per chest in the price of certified This they opium and of 250 rupees per chest in the price of uncertified opium. attributed mainly to the restrictions which, in violation of the treaties, have recently been placed on the opium trade in Fukien, Chekiang, and Kuangtung, and also in a less degree to the smuggling of uncertified opium into China from Maca and Kuang- chou-wan.
2. They stated that the position with regard to the stock of opium bought for China was on the 31st May as follows:-
(A.)-Bengal Opium.
Chests. Cheats
1. Stock in Hong Kong.
3,446
2. Stock in Shanghai
10.289
3. Stock in Calentra (bought but not yet shipped)
1.280
15,015
Say
(B.)-Malwa Opium.
15.000
1. Stock in Hong Kong..
3.280
2. Stock in Shanghai
8,724
3. Stock in Bombay
9.784
21.788
Less probable delivery to end of year (7 months x 600)
4.200
17,588
Say
17,000
Totul
32.000
[2540 q-1]
B
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