CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12] — Page 59

191b on ward.

JA 14/1/15.

Ar

15% 1-15

NO CONFIDENTIAL.

REC

1753

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG.

4th December, 1914.

56

sir,

9037820

With reference to your code telegram of the 7th October, translation of which is enclosed, I have the honour to inform you that having ascertained that no Patna opium will be offered for public sale in India next year, I informed the Govern- ment of India that this Government would purchase at auction 100 chests of Patna before the end of this year provided the price did not exceed 1,700 rupees per chest, and 35 cheats Benares monthly next year provided the price is about 1,600 rupes per chest. The 100 chests of Patna have been since purchased at the upset price of

1,600 rupees per chest.

2.

It is considered that a supply of 35 chests a month will probably suffice for local consumption next year owing to loss of population, dullness of trade and increase in price of prepared opium, all of which contribute to reduce consumption.

3.

The blend of prepared opium which opium smokers in this Colony are accustomed to ia composed of half Patna and half Benares. The withdrawal of Patna from the market next year renders necessary a gradual reduction in the proportion of that kind of opium in the mixture. It is, therefore, necessary for this Govern- ment to have a considerable stock of Patna opium. It possesses at present a stock of 101 chests of Patna and 98 chests of Benares and in order to increase the stock of Patna I took advantage of what I

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c., &C..

&c.