CO129-502-10 Macao opium traffic 6-12-1926 - 7-12-1927 — Page 119

MACAO.

119

(5) Macao is the only Portuguese colony in which

the traffic in opium exists. The custom of smoking prepared

opium there is centuries old. In view of the geographical

position of this colony and the race of the inhabitants, a

slow but steady effort will be required in order to correct

an inveterate habit, which could not be discontinued

without the risk of serious disturbance, such as would be

caused in Europe by the prohibition of tobacco or alcohol.

The population of Macao numbers 120,000 Chinese

having increased owing to the political unrest in the

neighbouring provinces. The floating population is

estimated at 1,126,488 Chinese.

The revenues from the farming out of the opium

monopoly were as follows:

$2,701,800.00

in 1922/23

$2,457,356.04

in 1923/24

X1,082,022.17 in 1924/25

The total revenues from the colony for these years

were respectively

$4,708,632.07

$5,429,892.06

7,266,420. 31

This proves that there has been a considerable reduction

in the percentage for opium revenues, the figures having been

57% in 1922/23, 45% in 1923/24 and 15% in 1924/25.

x

Mexican dollars approximately equivalent to half a gold

dollar.