CO129-410 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [3-5] — Page 274

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Colony to effect its ultimate rehabilitation. The control of the Opium Monopoly fortunately facilitates measures to affect this result as far as possible out of current revenue. The increased price will not in my opinion give any incentive to the smuggling of prepared opium into the Colony, as the price of opium in Canton and Macao, the two centres from which smuggling is likely to take place, is too high to make it profitable.

4.

At the time the Estimate of the Revenue from the Opium Monopoly was made the selling price of the drug was about $5.50 per tael. Before the Farmer's contract terminated he had raised the price to $6.50 and the large increase now made is rendered possible by the enhanced price of raw opium in China and the consequent advance in price in prepared opium there. The Revenue for 1914 from the Opium Monopoly will, therefore, be exceeded unless the advance in price induces a great diminution in consumption.

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I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

вожад

Governor,&c..