CO129-455 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [7-9] — Page 428

COPY

No. 102

Jonclosure 1.

Government House,

422

Hong Kong, 27th March, 1913.

sir,

With reference to the last paragraph of

your Despatch No. 61 of the 8th of March, 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:-

The Opium Monopoly which expired on the

(1).

28th. 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 enclosed),

The scope of this Ordinance is fully explained

The

in the accompanying report by the Attorney-General.

Ordinance is designed to give this Goverment complete control

Over the movement of raw opium with the object inter alia, of

giving effect to the Agreement under which only certified Indian

Opium may be imported into China, and to regulate the purchase

of prepared opium in the Colony with a view to the prevention or

ite 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.

The quantity of opium which the lessee of

(2).

the Opium Monopoly may use has been reduced for the term of his

lease to 660 chests. Under the lease just expired he was allow-

ed 900 chests per annum. Of the 660 chests 540 are for local

consumption and 120 chests for export. It is calculated that

the amount allowed for local consumption is legitimately required.

No export will be permitted except on production of permi ta

for importation by the Government of the country of destination.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&0..

&0.

80..

(3).