§ Mr. REESasked the Under-Secretary for India whether, during the Budget Debate in the Legislative Council of the Governor-General of India, hon. Members who are natives of India made any protests regarding the present policy of the Government in respect of opium?
§ The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)So far as the Secretary of State is aware, no protests against the policy have been made, though the loss of revenue which it involves was the subject of regret.
§ Mr. THEODORE TAYLORIs it not the fact that several very distinguished members of the Council protested strongly against the continued revenue from opium?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is true that, speaking generally, both the cultivator and the taxpayer in India have acquiesced willingly in the reduction of opium. Nevertheless and naturally the loss of revenue and the consequent necessity of replacing it from other sources produce occasionally some expressions of regret.