Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 330

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OPIUM AGREEMENT BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND PORTUGAL

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 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 not exceeding the limits and conditions so fixed, so long as the Opium Farmer at Hongkong is permitted to obtain his supplies from this source.

Art. VIII.-Raw opium coming from India, consigned to the farmer of Macao, within the limits and conditions above indicated, will be allowed transhipment at Hongkong free of duty or taxation.

Art. IX. It is understood that if after periods of five years (the duration of the contracts of the farmer) the numbers of chests agreed upon for local consump- tion at or export from Macao should respectively prove to be excessive, the Portu- guese Government will consider the desirability of revising the amount in question.

The present agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years, but may be terminated by either Government at any time on giving to the other twelve months' notice of its intention to do so. On the expiration of the said period of ten years it shall continue in force, unless and until a similar notice of termination is given by either Government.

(Signed)

E. GREY. P. DE TOVAR.

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