CO129-400 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [3-4] — Page 13

Endlosure ? 476 Endlosures

Monclosure

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But as I found that the Portuguese Government would not be likely

to accept so low a figure I deemed it expedient to raise it to 180

chests per annum in order to arrive at an agreement. But I would

urge that under no circumstances should a higher figure be agreed

to.

5.

Regarding the allowance for export I attach

copy of the reply I received from His Britannic Kajesty's Minister

in Mexico to my letter of the 3rd. of October, and of subsequent

telegraphic correspondence with him which speaks for itself. I do

not know when the Fiscal year in liexico begins but it is obvious

from the figures given by Mr. Stronge, which work out in chests

of opium as set out in enclosure 6, that the import of opium into

Mexico is comparatively small and would probably be satisfied by an export of the product of 240 chests per annum from Lacao. If that should not be enough there are the 120 chests allowed to the Hongkong Farmer to fall back upon. I am willing to agree to lacao having the larger allowance because their interest in the export

trade has always been greater than that of Hongkong.

6.

If the limitations I have suggested can be in- -posed a great diminution in smuggling from Macao should ensure. The imports there of uncertificated Bengal opium during 1912 reached the enormous figure of 1,786 chests of which 30 chests were imported from Hongkong and (these chests were imported

325 prior to the 1st. of September, 1911.) Chests from Singapore and 1,431 chests from Calcutta by direct steamer in both cases. In connection with this direct importation Senhor de Freitas has re- -presented that it puts the Macao Farmer to very heavy expense and has asked whether import from Hongkong can be permitted if the limitations on the Macso Farmer are arranged to the satisfaction of this Government. I said that I would be willing in that event to make the necessary arrangements for the supply of uncertificat- -ed opium to Macao under proper safeguards. These would be easy

under