55
the needs of the opium addicts here resident,
an interesting situation would be created. I should
be glad to know your views on this aspect of the
problem.
28. In the last resort, if China continues
to increase her output of opium, and if Hong Kong
obtains no supplies of opium from India or Persia
sufficient for the demands of its steadily increasing
population, there will be no option but to repeal
our Opium Ordinances and to abandon our attempt
to control local consumption with a view to eventual
suppression. We cannot be expected to lose the
whole of our opium revenue and at the same time
to continue the maintenance of a costly and futile
system for the control of opium consumption, which
circumstances in China and conditions imposed on
the Colony by His Majesty's Government have rendered
uncontrollable. The position is very grave. I
venture to submit that it was not fully understood,
when His Majesty's Government made their recent
decisions, and I earnestly beg for a reconsideration
of the whole subject.
I have, etc.,
(Signed)
C.CLEMENTI,
= Governor,
etc.
27
25
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.