CO129-502-10 Macao opium traffic 6-12-1926 - 7-12-1927 — Page 65

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Enclosure No. 2.

local requirements.

4.

1 attach copies of my letter of 4th July to

Enclosure No. 5. the Governor of Macao and of his reply of 9th July from which

it will be seen that, though he still solicits my help, he

has not reduced his estimate. 1 accordingly do not propose

to move further in the matter.

5.

The fact is that the normal population of

Macao falls considerably short of the figure given by the

Macao Authorities; and though I do not think it would be

either reasonable or desirable to limit Macao immediately to a supply of opium strictly proportionate to that allowed

to Hong Kong (where the Government monopoly has been functioning for some 13 years), I am satisfied that a supply

of about 120 chests a year should suffice for its local

needs.

6.

That Macao should receive sufficient for this

specific purpose, and should thus secure an adequate revenue

with which to suppress contraband,is from the point of view

of this Colony, undoubtedly desirable at present.

7.

On the point of temporary assistance, the

recent depression of our official sales has resulted in a

certain accumulation of stocks; and, though i am fully aware

of the need of conserving stock, I considered that a small

amount could be most usefully employed at the moment in a

gesture of goodwill to Macao in the inauguration of its

official control, upon the effectiveness of which the volume

of illicit traffic in this Colony to a considerable extent

depends. I accordingly authorized the sale at cost price

of 10 chests.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

1. Ciment

1

Governor, &c.