§ 55. Mr. JOHN WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give the figures showing the revenue derived by the Chartered Company of North Borneo from its monopoly control of the sale of opium?
§ 56. Mr. WILSONfurther asked the Secretary of State whether his attention has been drawn to the published work of an official of the North Borneo Chartered Company, in which allegations were made that under the company's rule gambling, the sale of opium and spirits, and pawnbroking have been made monopolies; and whether he proposes to draw the attention of this company to the deplorable results which are likely to accrue to these organised monopolies over the means of degradation?
Mr. WOODNo, Sir; I do not know what publication is referred to. I have no doubt that the court of directors of the company are aware of the possible risks attending monopolies of opium and spirits, as well as of the advantages which are often considered to accrue from unified control in these matters. I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that under the terms of the Charter the Secretary of State's rights of intervention are limited.