CO129-400 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [3-4] — Page 199

No 102

102)

Publ

C

12021

UGE 17 APR 13

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 27th. March, 1913.

195

ndosure 1.

2

Sir,

23

With reference to the last paragraph of your

*

Despatch No. 61 of the 8th. of Larch, 1912, I have the honour to inform you that the further steps taken by this Government to give effect to the Hague Convention are as follows:-

(1).

The Opium Monopoly which expired on the 20th. ultimo has been renewed for 12 months only, instead of being let for a period of 3 years in accordance with previous practice, subject to the provisions of Ordinance No. 2 of 1913 (copy enclos- -ed).

The scope of this Ordinance is fully explained

in the accompanying report by the Attorney-General. The Ordinance

is designed to give this Government complete control over the move-

-ment of raw opium with the object inter alia of giving effect to the Agreement under which only certified Indian Opium may be im- -ported into China, and to regulate the purchase of prepared opium in the Colony with a view to the prevention of its illicit export. The penalties for infractions of certain clauses of the Opium Ordinances which are aimed at smuggling of opium are very largely increased.

The penalties for the unlawful possession of

morphine and compounds of opium are very largely increased.

(2).

The quantity of opium which the Lessee of the

Opium Lonopoly may use has been reduced for the term of his lease

HE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LE IS HARCOURT, M.P

&c..

* No 9356 + Not repmate d

&c.)

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