§ MR. KING (Hull, Central)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, What is the nature of the provisions of an Ordinance, which it is understood has been recently introduced into the Hong Kong Legislature, for the purpose of assisting the Chinese authorities in the realization of the duty on opium imported into China?
§ THE SECRETARY of STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)It would be difficult to state the provisions of the Bill in the limits of an answer to a Question; but the hon. Member can see the Bill, if it would not be inconvenient to him to come to the Colonial Office. Shortly, it is a measure for preventing the import or export of raw opium in quantities of less than one chest, and for restricting the possession of similar opium in smaller quantities in other hands than those of the opium farmer, and for preventing junks leaving at night under any circumstances, which they can now do, but only if specially authorized. The Bill met with opposi- 7 tion, in the Council, and the final result is not yet known.