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had fallen as low as 4 per cent. Then apparently the temptation to seize the profit thus held out became irresistible, and little by little the pace of the output was increased. "In consequence the discount has been steadily rising until now it has reached 8 per cent.
and the question threatens to become again acute.
"In discussing the question the local press rightly indicates the radical cure for this recurring evil, namely, the fulfilment of the clause in the Mackay treaty by which China undertook to establish an uniform currency.
"Until that reform shall have been accomp. lished the existing temptation to the Provincial Mints of making a profitable business out of coining will prove too much for their powers of resistance
"I have to add that informal representations made by the Governor of Hongkong to the Viceroy of Canton, and also, I believe by the Minister at his recent interview, elicited an equally informal undertaking that the Mint Authorities will be restrained."
Judging by the result, and noting the fall in the discount as the year drew towards its close, it would appear that the Mint Authorities have been exercising some discretion, but it is not possible yet to feel any security against a recru- descence of their former policy.
HONGKONG OPIUM REVENUE
The serious question raised for this Colony by the inconsiderate action of His M jesty's Minis- ters, in suddenly announcing an early intention of closing the opium houses, seemed to the members of your Committee to call for prompt representation, and at once the following telegram was despatched to the Home Branch.
45
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND the Provincial Authorities at Canton made an attempt to establish a monopoly. The case was on all fours with that successfully fought against the Nanking Viceroy last year. On being put in possession of the facts we at once wired to London as follows:-
•
Kwangtung authorities issued notification "placing restrictions upon sale opium calcul "ated create monopoly; seriously threatens British Indian trade; beg yon represent agreement reduction Indian trade; does not 'alter existing treaty obligations governing "conditions sale."
**
The promptness and energy displayed by the British Consul-General in Canton sufficed to stay the Viceroy's hand, and the restrictions complained of were withdrawn.
But, although it was "understood that their withdrawal applied to the whole of the Kwang- tung Province, no long time elapsed before the discovery was made that they had not been rescinded in the Swatow district, and that steps were being taken to carry them into force.
An account of these proceedings, with which we were furnished, was passed on to the London Branch by letter, but again through the activity and firmness of the onsul-General at Canton the situation was straightened out before it had time to develop any awkward features.
THE BANISHMENT ORDERS.
The
A situation in which the Colony was more immediately and vitally concerned arose out of a late development of the Japanese boycott when, on suspicion of being prominent in encour- aging the ill-feeling which ultimately led to riot and disorder, a number of Chinese residents were served with notices of banishment. number of those who had not disguised their sympathies in this matter being considerable, great uneasiness prevailed throughout the Chinese Community, and feeling at one time ran so high that your Committee felt justified in appealing to the Colonial Government to relieve it. The reception of our communications led to believe that our action was recognised as being prompted solely by an earnest desire to serve the public interest and we had reason sub-
Press telegrams state British Government announced in House of ommons intention issue immediately order Hongkong Govern ment close opium houses forthwith. This would impose considerable financial hardship as owing to opium farmer's contract does not expire until February, 1910, it would ap- parently involve payment large compensation in addition to prospective loss revenue. Unfair dislocate Colony's finance so suddenly.sequently to think that it was not inopportune. Urge you represent need proceeding less drastically., Time required gradual re- adjustment burden taxation."
By letter theolony's view of the case was strongly urged upon the London Committee and the replies received showed that we could confid- ently count upon ready sympathy and active sup- port, The details of the subsequent development of this affair are, in the main, too well known for recapitulation, but it may interest mem- bers to learn the nature of the suggestions made from here in response to a request made by the London Chairman for an opinion upon a plan of gradual reduction whereby the burden of taxation would be eventually readjusted without any violent dislocation of the Colony's finances. The underlying idea of this plan was that instead of closing the opium houses the number of chests drawable yearly by the Farmer should be steadily reduced. The details were worked out upon
the figures for the past three years and com- menting upon this we wrote as follows
EC
The number of chests actually drawn by the Farmer during the last three years is exceptionally low.
r
These years have been bad years in every respect and the period is too short to give a fair average. The average for the last 10 years is slightly over 1000.
In view of this figure it is, in the opinion of this Committee, justifiable to recommend that:-
་་
"(1) The divans be not interfered with during the period of the present farm, but that the number of chests drawable be reduced from 1,800 to 1,200 per annum.
"(2) That in the new contract, to be made in 1910, the number be reduced to 900 chests per annum.'
39
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RELATIONS WITH OFFICIALS
In this as in all other matters in which we have had to deal with the Colonial Govern- ment and have had considerable correspon. dence, mainly relating to The Registration of Trade Marks and the proposed Trade Marks convention with Japan-the attitude of the Secretariat has been consistently courteous and helpful.
And it is not only with the Officials of the Colonial Government that we have sought to maintain good relations. Your Committee were privileged to entertain privately His Britannic Majesty's Minister to Peking on the occasion of his visit to the Colony in April, when he avowed himself at all times anxious to hear the views of the mercantile community.
Similar assurances on behalf of the General Committee were given to us by the Associa tion's President, Mr. J. H. Scott, whom also we had the pleasure of entertaining recently-H. E. the Governor honouring the occasion by his presence. The President stated that the views advanced by each Branch invariably received the most earnest and careful atten- tion of those who conduct the business. of the Association at home, and begged us to believe that in communicating the opinions of the British Merchantile Community of Hong- kong we were always certain of gaining an interested and sympathetic hearing.
THE RETIRING COMMITTEE.
The members of the retiring Committee
are:-
Mr. D. R. Law, Mr. H. E. Tomkins, Mr. C. H. Ross, Mr. J. W. C. Bonnar, Mr. W. G. Humphreys, Hon. Mr. H. W. Slade, Mr. E. G. Barrett, Mr. H. R. B. Hancock, Mr. A. S. D. Cousland (Hon. Secretary), and
M. STEWART,
hairman.
“(3) That in 1913 a scheme of annual reduction be adopted, the details of which shall depend upon the progress of China's efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation."
Bangkok newspapers report the death of Mr. We have not heard whether these suggestions. J. Naylor, the leader of the local Bar, at the recommended themselves to the London Com. mittee, but we trust that they will receive the approval of members.
OPIUM MONOPOLIES.
Another development of the opium question which necessitated our taking action, arose when
early age of 44. Mr. Naylor had been practising at Bangkok for nearly 15 years, and His Hon- our Judge Skinner Turner, in a public reference in the British Court for Siam, described Mr. Naylor's death as a great loss to the administra tion of Justice in Siam.
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[February 1, 1909
INTERNATIONL OPIUM.COMMISSION.
The following list, supplied by Dr. Hamilton Wright of the American Opium Commission,
contains the names of the Commissoners to the International Opium Commission. The names of the representatives of Persia and Turkey have not yet been received:-
United States of America.-(Convenors of the Commission). Bishop Brent, Dr. Hamilton Wright and Dr. C. D. Tenney.
China.-H. E. Tuan Fang, (High Commis sioner), Taotsi Lew Yuk-lin, Mr. Tong Kai-son and Dr. Hsu Wah-ching (Commissioners), H.E. Jui Cheng and H. E. Tsai Nai-huang (Special Commissioners), Messrs. F. A. Carl, J. L. Chalmers and Wu Pao-yen (Associate Com- missioners).
France. MM. L. O. Ratard, Brenier and Cornillon.
Raessler and Dr. G.
Germany.-Dr. Pernizsch.
Great Britain.-Sir Cecil Clementi-Smith, Sir Alexander Hosie, Messrs. Mackenzie King, James Bennett Brunyate, R. Laidlaw, M.P., and C. Clementi, Assessor.
Japan-H. E. Tsuneziro Miyaoka, Dr. R. Tahara and Dr. T. Takagi,
The Netherlands.-Mijnheer A. A. de Jong and Mijnheer W. G. van Wettuf.
Portugal.-Senhor . G. Potier and Com mendador G. A. R. d'Assumpção.
Russia-Mr. C. Kleimenow. Siam. Phya Sakdi Seni, Luang Visuta Koɛn and Hhra Manas Manit.
The following letter is of interest as throwing light on the origin of the International Opium Commission which assembles on February 1.
Bishop's House,
Manila, P. I., July 24, 1906. My dear Mr. PRESIDENT,-I, am going to make bold to suggest that which I venture to think might be fruitful of great good if you can see your way to initiate the movement. It is this: recently, as of course you are aware, the question of England's share in the opium traffic has been re-opened in official circles in the Old Country. My experience on the Philippine Opium Investigating Committee leads me to believe that the problem is of sufficient merit to warrant an endeavour to secure international action. From the earliest days of our diplomatic relations with the East, the course of the United States of America has been so mani- festly high in relation to the traffic in opium, that it seems to me almost our duty, now that we have the responsibility of actually handling the matter in our own possessions, to promote some movement that would gather in its embrace representatives from all. countries where the traffic in,and use of, opium is a matter of moment.
Why could we not hope to have an investiga- tion on the basis of science as well as of practical observation of actual conditions, in which England, France. Holland, China and Japan should take part with ourselves? The sole hope for the Chinese is in concerted action. As a side issue, but as a consideration that in my mind would enhance the value of the movement, it would tend to unify in some measure nations that are Oriental either by nature or through the possessions of dependencies in the Orient. Nothing tends to promote peace more than a common aim.
I shall not enlarge on the matter, as I feel that your mind will grasp the situation at once, and will see all that I have in my mind, as well as considerations that have not occurred to me. I would add that I have partially prepared a paper on Opium Legislation in the East in which it is my purpose to incorporate the sub- stance of this letter. As I am trying to work on this subject with accuracy and care, it may be some months before it sees the light, but it is destined for an American periodical.
With high esteem, I remain
Yours very faithfully.
(Signed) H. BRENT. Bishop of the Philippine Islands.
The President,
The White House,
Washington D. C.
H.E. Shum, formerly Viceroy of Canton, has been summoned by the Regent to Peking to take up an important post in the Government.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.