64
OPIUM AGREEMENT
VI.—The Chinese Government undertake to levy a uniform tax on all opium grown in the Chinese Empire. His Majesty's Government consent to increase the- present consolidated import duty on Indian opium to Tls. 350 per chest of 100- catties, such increase to take effect as soon as the Chinese Government levy an equivalent excise tax on all native opium.
VII. On confirmation of this Agreement and beginning with the collection of the new rate of consolidated import duty, China will at once cause to be withdrawn all restrictions placed by the Provincial authorities on the wholesale trade in Indian opium, such as those recently imposed at Canton and elsewhere, and also all taxation. on the wholesale trade other than the consolidated import duty, and no such restrictions or taxation shall be again imposed so long as the Additional Article to the Chefoo Agreement remains as at present in force.
It is also understood that Indian raw opium having paid the consolidated import duty shall be exempt from any further taxation whatsoever in the port of import.
Should the conditions contained in the above two clauses not be duly observed, His Majesty's Government shall be at liberty to suspend or terminate this Agreement at any time.
1
The foregoing stipulations shall not derogate in any manner from the force of the laws already published or hereafter to be published by the Imperial Chinese- Government to suppress the smoking of opium and to regulate the retail trade in the drug in general.
!
VIII.--With a view to assisting China in the suppression of opium His. Majesty's Government undertake that from the year 1911 the Government of India will issue an export permit with a consecutive number for each chest of Indian opium declared for shipment to or for consumption in China.
During the year 1911 the number of permits so issued shall not exceed 30,600- and shall be progressively reduced annually by 5,100 during the remaining six years. ending 1917.
A copy of each permit so issued shall, before shipment of opium declared for shipment to or consumption in China, be handed to the Chinese official for trans- mission to his Governuient, or to the Customis authorities in China.
His Majesty's Government undertake that each chest of opium for which such permit has been granted shall be sealed by an official deputed by the Indian Government in the presence of the Chinese official if so requested.
•
The Chinese Governnent undertake that chests of opium so sealed and accompanied by such permits may be imported into any Treaty Port of China without let or hindrance if such seals remain unbroken.
IX. Should it appear on subsequent experience desirable at any time during the unexpired portion of seven years to modify this Agreement or any part thereof, it may be revised by mutual consent of the two high contracting parties.
X.-This Agreement shall come into force on the date of signature.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective- Governments, have signed the same and have affixed thereto their seals.
Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four in English and four in Chinese) this eighth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and eleven, being the tenth day of the fourth month of the third year of Hsuan T'ung.
[L.S.] J. N. JORDAN.
[L.S.]
TSOU CHIA-LAI.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.