CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 245

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averaged 473 cheats a year from 1914 to 1919, as against the Treaty limit of 500 chests; and that the total "private" exports to Hongkong have averaged 553 chests a year, during the same period. The difference is presumably accounted for by stocks held at Hongkong by the Macao farmer, by the fact that the figures quoted would not ordinarily cover precisely the same time period, and by the importation into Hongkong

a quantity in excess of the 500 chest limit, under articles

that the 5 and 6 of the Treaty. I am to suggest, however, Colonial Office may be in a position to elucidate the matter

further.

4.

As Eal Curzon is aware, the Government of India are anxious to restrict the quantity of opium which the authorities at Macao are permitted to obtain from India under the Treaty of 1913. In this connexion, I am to invite attention to the correspondence ending with your communication No. F 1930/17/10, dated the 2nd September, 1920, The policy adopted of restric- ting sales of opium to responsible Governments, so far as possible, was explained in detail in the despatch to the Government of India No. 84, Revenue, dated the 11th September 1919; a copy of which was forwarded to you with my letter

In pursuance No. R & 3.5831/19, dated the 3rd October 1919. of that policy, direct sales of opium have been arranged to

British the Governments of Hongkong, the Straits Settlements, North Borneo, Siam, Netherlands India, and Ceylon; Governments of France, Portugal, and Japan have been asked to negotiate agreements under which all their supplies of opium will be obtained by direct purchase from the Government of India; and it is understood that the Government of India are now negotiating a similar agreement with the Government of Mauritius. If and when the agreements with France, Portugal, Japan, and Mauritius are made, the Calcutta auction sales will

cease.

the

I have the honour etc..

(Sgd) KERSHAW.