§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is the fact that the Government of India have granted a monopoly of the jade workings in Burmah to certain Chinese merchants; and, was information he can give the How upon the subject?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The jade quarries, which are situate in the Mogaung District, at the head waters of the Chindwin, about 90 miles above Bhamo, were leased to two lessees for 60,000 rupees when we first occupied Burmah, and the trade was entirely in the hands of Chinese. The leases are now renewed for one year at a time only; while inquiry is being made by the Deputy Commissioners of Bhamo, Upper Chindwin, and Mogaung as to the best mode of making this property contribute to the revenue. The Government has no desire to create any monopoly in jade.