2
Indian Government persists in carrying out its advertised programme, grave financial trouble is in store. We cannot too strongly urge that there is no real justification for continuing the sales of Malwa for China at the present time, and we beg that the Indian Government may be induced to face the facts as they are, and be brought to realise that the country for which the opium is sold is actually closed against the drug.
As to Bengal opium the position is different, as the uncertificated goes to other than Chinese ports, and, in consequence, the sales cannot be stopped altogether. The quantity of uncertificated sold is, however, undoubtedly too large. The following are the total shipments of opium to non-Chinese ports telegraphed to us from Bombay,
viz. :-
3
We have the honour to enclose for your guidance copies of our letters of the 2nd and 4th instant to the Foreign Office, and we beg that the Secretary of State for India will bring this pressing matter to the notice of the Indian Government with a view to the slackening of this serious tension.
We have, &c.
E. D. SASSOON AND Co.
DAVID SASSOON AND Co. (Limited).
1900 1910 1911
1912, to end of November, including Macao
Chests.
14,955
13,955
12,947
10,346
It must be borne in mind, however, that previous to the introduction of certificates in July 1911 large quantities of opium used to be re-exported to China from the Straits, either by open export or by smuggling. As uncertificated is so very much cheaper than certificated, smuggling of late has proved to be an exceedingly lucrative business, and is carried on extensively, especially from Macao. The local annual requirements of Macao, as shown by the Imperial Maritime Customs' Report, do not exceed 200 chests, but we learn by wire from Bombay that 1,031 chests were shipped to Macao between the beginning of July and the end of November this year. The effect of this extensive smuggling on the legitimate trade can readily be gauged.
We have received by wire to-day from Bombay the following information as to the annual requirements of non-Chinese ports, viz. :—
Uncertificated Opium. Estimated quantity present actual requirements annually.
Singapore
Penang
Malay States
Batavia
Bangkok
Saigon..
Ilong Kong
Formos. Macao..
This makes a total of
Chests.
1,440
2,400
1,200
1,200
720
GOO
200
7,760
And it is obvious that not more than that quantity of uncertificated opium should be sold. In fixing the quantity to be sold, the Indian Government should, however, surely take into consideration existing stocks in Government go-downs, sold, but not taken delivery of. According to the official report of the 5th November, this unde livered stock then amounted to 5,002 chests. To sell more opium than the market can take means breaking prices for the benefit of smugglers, who would still further profit by the fact that Chinese ports are now closed to certificated.
It has been suggested that instead of stopping sales a high upset price should be placed on the opium offered at auction. We beg leave to suggest that if this method is adopted an upset price of 5,500 rupees should be placed on certificated and 3,000 rupees on uncertificated Bengal opium, and 2,500 rupees on Malwa "revanahs." If there is a demand, the Indian Government would reap the benefit.
In a crisis like the present it is not unreasonable to look to the Government for sympathetic assistance, and to ask that not only shall nothing be done on their part to aggravate the situation, but, on the other hand, that something may be done to save Indian merchants from the terrible losses with which they are threatened by the action of China.
Hitherto His Majesty's Government has been reluctant to press China too strongly, as the country was not ripe for strong measures; but surely if opium is such an unpopular article that His Majesty's Government fear public opinion would not support them in any attempt to enforce the treaties upon which shippers relied, the Govern ment of India must find it difficult to justify a continuance of sales which obviously aggravate the position.
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