CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5] — Page 337

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of opium imported during the year 1919 was 1290 chests,

the stock on December 31st, 1918, being 253 chests.

The amount exported during 1919 was 837 chests. The

imports included:-

Turkish Opium

Persian Opium....

50 chests

.....412 chests,

The corresponding returns for 1917 show the amount

imported during that year to have been 1,259 chests

the stock on December 31st, 1917, being 7994 chests,

As regards the second statement (2) it is

noted from the local press that the Hongkong Budget

for 1921 anticipates a reduction of opium revenue from

$6,000,000 to $4,500,000, but, on the other hand, a

telegram dated Delhi, December 13th, says "At the

request of the Hongkong Government the Indian Government

has agreed to renew the agreement for the direct supply

of opium at a fixed price for five years, beginning

with next year".

As regards the third statement (3) this

Association has made enquiries as to the existence of

any arrangement between the Hongkong Government and the

Chinese Government regarding mutual reduction of opium

revenue.

Since the Association has been unable to secure

all the information desired the Board of Directors very

respectfully begs Your Excellency to give directions for

information on the following points to be furnished.

1. Whether the importation of opium into Hongkong

is in reality on the decrease?

2. Why there is importation of Turkish and Persian

opium, such importation being contrary to Indian trade

intereste. In view of the efforts of the Indian Govern-

ment to provide "the maximum of revenue from the minimum

of consumption" of opium and its rationing of exports

to Hongkong the securing of opium from Turkey and

Persia for the Hongkong Government monopoly appears both

contrary