CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2] — Page 369

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of the 19th. December last that the importation of Persian Opium

should be permitted for the purpose of export to Formosa and

London only. The trade in Persian opium is altogether distinct from that in Indian opium. In the Persian trade Hongkong is a

distributing centre where Persian opium is tested and in a sense

graded. Formosa takes only a certain standard of such opium and

if its importation into Hongkong is prohibited some new centre

will be established where the opium will be tested and whence it

will be exported, the standard quality to Fonosa and the poorer

quality elsewhere.

4

•

The importation of uncertified Indian opium was prohibited as the Merchants feared that it would be smuggled into China, there to compete directly with the certified opium;

and the extensive sumgeling which now takes place from Tacao

proves that their fears were well-grounded. Persian Opium on the

other hand does not so directly compete with Indian opium and the

districts in which it has been used are clearly defined.

5.

I consider that the Indian Government suffers

no real hardship in the distinction made between the import of

uncertified Indian opium and that of Persian opium, and I would suggest that matters should be allowed to remain as they are. If

however the Indian Government desire to press the point the dis-

-tinction can be done away with by the adoption of a resolution allowing the import of uncertified Indian opium in transit to

Formosa.

I have the honour to be,

sir.

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

پر ایک سے

Governor,&c..