Directory_and_Chronicle_1915 — Page 335

OPIUM AGREEMENT BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN

AND PORTUGAL

SIGNED AT LONDON, JUNE 14TH, 1913

In pursuance of the conclusions of the International Opium Conference, and in consideration of the fact that the geographical situation of the colonies of Macao and Hongkong makes it necessary to regulate in a similar way the opium monopolies in the said colonies in all matters concerning the restriction of the consumption, sale, and exportation of prepared opium and repression of smuggling;

The undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have agreed to the following Articles :-

Art. I.-The Government of the Portuguese Republic, whilst reserving the right of managing and controlling the manipulation of raw opium and the sale of prepared opium in the Colony of Macao, engage to introduce in the opium regulations of that Colony clauses and provisions similar to those contained in the regulations of Hong- kong relative to the repression of the illicit trade in prepared opium.

Art. II.—The Macao Opium Farmer will not be permitted to import more than 260 chests of opium (a chest means 40 balls of raw opium) per annum exclusively destined for the consumption of the fixed and floating population of Macao.

Art. III.-The Hongkong Opium Farmer will not be permitted to import more than 540 chests per annum. These imports shall be exclusively destined for the con- sumption of the fixed and floating population of Hongkong. These figures are em- bodied in the contract recently concluded with the Hongkong farmer.

Art. IV. The farmers of Macao and Hongkong will be permitted to import, per annum, respectively, 240 and 120 chests of raw opium exclusively destined for exportation to countries which have not prohibited at present or which shall not prohibit hereafter such imports of opium,

Art. V. The limit fixed in the preceding Article for Hongkong must be con sidered a definite one and not subject to alteration; however, it is understood that in Macao power will be retained to increase the number of chests of raw opium im- ported each year and destined for exportation, provided that proof is given that the said imports are destined to meet the requirements of lawful trade. For this pur- pose the farmer shall produce to the Governor of Macao Customs certificates passed by the authorities of countries importing the opium showing that the quantities authorized are required for legitimate purposes, over and above the 240 chests

referred to in Article 4.

Art. VI.—The Governor of Macao will have power to grant licences under the preceding Article for the importation of the quantities of raw opium exceeding the limit fixed in Article IV.

Art. VII-Whereas the limit of chests of raw opium that can be imported annually into Macao has been fixed in Articles II., IV., and V. of this Agreement, the Government of India will permit the purchase of opium in open market at the sales at Calcutta or Bombay or any places in India, for export to Macao, up to and