30236/27
أمين
30
2. The reasons given me for the decisions
taken by His Majesty's Government are as follows:-
(a) In the case of Hong Kong it was fell
that largely increased sales of Government opium
could only be defended, if it could be shown that
a useful purpose, namely, the capture of the
Hong Kong opium market at present supplied by
szugglers, would be achieved. It was feared that
even at reduced prices the smugglers would undersell
the Government and re-establish their position.
Moreover, even if the market were captured, the
situation in Hong Kong would still be that prepared
oplum could be bought without restriction as to
quantity, for control of consumption by registration
and rationing is impracticable. Also His Majesty's
Government would have difficulty in defending at
Geneva large purchases from "ersia for a British
Colony, having regard to the efforts the League is
making to induce Persia to decrease cultivation of
the poppy:
(your telegram to Mr.Southorn, dated
+
15th October, 1927). Finally, there was no
sufficient expectation of ultimate reduction of
opium consumption in Hong Kong to warrant purchases
from Tersia on behalf of the Colony: (your telegram
호
to me, dated 7th December, 1927).
(b) In the case of Lacao you authorized me
to make a small loan of Indian opium, but you stated
that there could be no question of India waking
good to liong Kong the opium transferred to Macao,
or supplying opium to Lacao for the purpose of
27[ 30.2]
+ No. 6 30236/ 2 NO. 6. 2002-06 / 27 [ING. NO]
2
repaying
25
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.