§ 8. Mr. THEODORE C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the "Shanghai Municipal Gazette" of 18th June last indicates that there are now 663 opium shops licensed in Shanghai, from which the municipality of Shanghai derives a revenue of 10,995 dollars per month; and whether he has recently taken any, and, if so, what steps to induce this chiefly British municipality to discontinue this traffic?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not seen the publication in question. As I explained to the hon. Member on 14th April and 16th June last, the Municipal Council at Shanghai is an independent International body over which His Majesty's Government have no control. I have, however, instructed His Majesty's Minister at Peking to use his influence to encourage the Council to put an end to the opium licences.
§ 9. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the request of certain Western Powers, including Great Britain, the Chinese Government has recently agreed to a portion of Chinese territory, known as the North Szechuan Road Extension, being added to the international settlement of Shanghai; and whether, seeing that the vice of opium-smoking is for bidden and punished in Chinese territory while it is being encouraged in the inter national settlement, this is an extension of the area in which opium-smoking is practised?
§ Sir E. GREYI informed the hon. Member on the 7th instant of the present situation as regards the proposed extension of the international settlement at Shanghai and I have nothing to add to what I said then on the subject.
§ 10. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he would state whether the British and United States ministers in Peking have lodged protests with the Chinese Government against the imposition by the government of the province of Chekiang of exorbitant taxes upon British and United States merchandise; and, if so, what was the nature of such merchandise?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Minister and the United States Minister at Peking recently protested against illegal taxation 615 in the province of Chekiang. I am not aware of the nature of the merchandise which was subject to this taxation.
§ Mr. T. C. TAYLORWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly make inquiries?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not think it is necessary to make any inquiry into that particular detail of merchandise. Perhaps it would satisfy my hon. Friend if I told him I have ascertained that there is no question of these goods having anything to do with opium, and this particular province is closed to opium.
§ 11. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether the British Minister in Peking recently threatened to send a British war vessel up the Yangtse River, and, if, so, for what reason?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to this question, so far as I am aware, is in the negative.
§ 12. Mr. T. C. TAYLORasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether a British Consul has had occasion recently to pay a visit of remonstrance to the Governor of the province of Anhui, in China; and if so, why?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Consul at Wuhu was recently sent to Anking to remonstrate with the Governor on the subject of illegal taxation in Anhui similar to that which had been imposed in Chekiang.