MR. GILPINsaid, he wished to inquire of the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if there is a provision in the Treaty with Japan to prohibit the importation of Opium into that country, and if any steps have been taken to prevent it?
MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALDreplied that one of the stipulations of the Treaty said—
The importation of Opium being prohibited, any British vessel coming to Japan for the purpose of trade, having more than three catties' weight on board, the surplus may be seized and destroyed by the Japanese authorities; and any person smuggling, or attempting to smuggle opium, shall be liable to a fine of 15 dollars a catty for each catty smuggled, or attempted to be smuggled.A Proclamation dated the 4th of February had been issued, in which the Crown had signified that there would be no interference with the Japanese Government to prevent this stipulation being fully enforced.