Page
LOCAL SPORT.
To-daya engagements are:
SHIELD FOOTBALL,
Buffs v. H.M. 8. Bedford (finsl.)
LEAGUE FOOTBALL. Naval Yard v. B, D, C,
LEAGUE CRICKET.
Police
Euginoors F
H.K. "A" H.K. "B" 7. Kowloon
V.
Civil Service Telegraphs R.G.A.
: YACHTING.
R. H. K. Y. C. “At home."
FOOTBALL.
v.
BUFFS "BEDFORD." This is the event of the day, sud, should the weather prove favourable, there should be a large furnout of spectators to witness the great struggle for the Shield. It resolves itself. into a contest between the Army and the Navy, and as both teams are in the pink of condition the match should be, fought to a finish. Both teams will be represented by the same men that. did duty for them at their recent meetings, Mr. Storrie will raferro.
NAVAL YARD V 9.0.C.
This League fixture will be played on the Military ground at the Happy Valley, The Bdys will be represent cd by-Khan; Abbas and Wilson; Cordeiro, Chungut, and Chow Goldenberg and Paralow; Abbas; Beardmore and Fistalbay Reserves--Jox and Musket.
The following will represent the Naval Yard: W. Howelle; J'C, Jonghin' und B. Campbell : .P. Honning, G. C. Glover and R. Harding; P. R. Cutter and G. Watkins: €. Combes and 6. Roylunee: J. Gillespie,
LEAGUE CRICKET:--
C. B, C. C. Y. DONGKONG A.
To be played at the Happy Valley, com mencing at 2 p.m. Toums: Hongkong "A" W.C D. Turner, B. R. Makin Lient Haughton, Ray W. H. Maundrell, Flag Lient, Mulleneux, A.P. Dashwood, E. A. Fowler, Lieut. J. Edgell, W. Waterhouse, E. Irving and A. N. Othor. Civil Serviço R, G. Hutchison (Captain), F. A. Biler, E. E. O. Bird, L. E. Brett, H. Ellis, J. Mr. Ewen, H. R. Phelps, A. K. F. Karer, E. B. Reed. A. R. Sutherland and R. C. Witchell, Reserves-A. G. Pil: and F. Batton.
BAILORS AND SOLDIERS HOME, HONGKONG.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MARCH 13rя, 1909.
The report for the year 1908 just issued, rends as follows
1.-FINANCIAL.....
COMPANY REPORTS.
CHINA SUGAR REFINING CO.
The report of this Company is as follows:- The General Agents beg to submit to shareholders their report on the Company's business for the year 1908, with a statement of accounts to 31st of December last,
The year has closed without a deficit. Indeed there is a small balance forward of $103 on the year's working. We are thankful to be able to
There was a good demand for the Refinery's roport this, for some considerable improve. menta in the forniture of the Home hare Sugars throughout the year, at prices which been effected. Á mask needed hot-water ap-Bave a fair margin of profit. The gain on paratus has been introduced and works well. working was 8273,518.10, and the sum at Few mattresses have replaced the old ones
on at January, 1908, was reduced to 25,858.24, throughout, and many new spring bottoms have which is carried forward to next account, been added to the beds, which render them more comfortable. 60 bedsteads have boon donated to the Home by the Committee of the Royal Naval Canteen and 4 billiard table cloths by the Hongkong Club. There Juve been sundry other improvements in the furniture of the
Home.
the shoot-amounts to
The Year's Income as shewn Recompanying balance
as against 39.766.37 in 1907. 818,321,30 Donations, balance from Concerts and Picnics have benefited the Home to the extent of $1,582.07 as against 8721.03 last year. One of the Concerts was arranged by the Manager,
The General Agents and Consulting. Com mittes recommend that a dividend of 85 per share, absorbing $100,030 be paid out of equalization of dividend find.
THE RESTRICTION OF OPIUM IN HONGKONG AND IN CHINA.
MEMORANDUM BY H, E. BIR FREDERICK LUGARD.
The Memorandum by H. E. the Governor laid before the Legislative Council on Thusday
is as follows.
THE CHARGE AGAINST HONGKONG.
On May 6th 1908, Mr. W. Johnson moved resolution in the House of Commons (seconded by Mr. T. Taylor) approving the action of His debitajesty's Government in progressively de-
greasing the India to
and urging the abolition of Dens in the Far Eastern Crown Colonies. Both mover and seconder informed the House that in Hongkong "nothing had been attempted--nothing done." These state- ments passed unchallenged, and have conveyed to the rest of the Empire an erroneous im- pression of the facts regarding this Colony, which has cause no little soreness in a very loyal portion of His Misjesty's overson domit ions The Under Scorotary in his reply said that His Majesty's Government recognised Hongkong it was essential that we should set that in dealing with the opinm question in up to the Standards set by China and in later debate on July 28th Bo added that it had not been possible to get a reasoned opinion from Hongkong
licousedontity of opium exported from
Consulting Committee-This consists of Hon. Bir Pant Chater, C.M.G., and Messrs. E. Bhellim, F. Maitland, H.,P. 'White and J. W. C. Boanar who offer themselves for re-election.
Auditors:-The accounts have been audited by Mosse, W. H. Potts and H, Percy Smith, F.C.A., who offer themselves for re-plection.
די
JARDINS, MATHESON & CO., LTD...
General Agents. Hongkong. 9th March, 1909,
1908.
· CAPITAL AND (LIABILITIES. Paid-up capital
Equalization of dividend fand
Repairs and renowals secount Sandry creditors
a
I will endeavour in the following observations to remove the misunderstanding created by the remarks of Messrs. Johnson and Taylor, and as to the measures which may usefully and with justice be taken in order to give affect to the high object which His Majesty's Government have in view, viz., to restrict the opium habit in this olony and to assist the Chinese Govern meat in effecting a like restriction in Chius,
azid given by the band of HMS. King BALANCE SHEET-ONE YEAR to 31st Dec at the same time to present a reasoned opinion Alfred, realising $544, inclusive of $100 given by R. Shewan, Esq. The other was due to the initation of Miss Millington, but was arranged and given by Mr. Belilios, the proceeds amount- ing to $558,80 inclusive of $25 sent by the Hon. F. IL. May, C.MG. The thanke of the Home Committee are hereby tenderad to all who so kindly assisted at those concerts, and also to the Committee of the Theatre Royal, who placed | their building at our disposal for the nominal
sum of one dollar.
Against the increased income we have to roport a much heavier expenditure than inst your.
--SOCIAL
The Social side of our work has been watched over as in former years. The presence of the Manager and his wife on the promises has led to the Home being more cleanly and homelike than before, and ensured that the men should receive a personal welcome which they naturally look for and much appreciate.
More than 12,000 men have slept in the Home during the year. The game of billiards is a popular as over, and the tables are con tinually in use, whilst the Reading Room with This match takes place on the Club Ground, its supply of daily, weekly, illustrated and commencing at 2.16. "B" team will be. Religious newspapers, and a small library, forms
a rotrout for those who are no inclined.
HONGKONG. "B". TELEOKATRS.
Hancock, H. Huncook, T. E. Pearce, S. Moore, 8. S. Logan, H. D. Sharpin, P. Jacks, W. E. L. Shenton, A. 0. Lang, A. A. Claxton and W. J. Daniel.
MOLU AU
CRICKET LEAGUE TABLE.
The League Table remains unchanged as there The following is the table up to date:-
Club
Civil Service
T.K. B"..."
❤❤ Won.
Lost.
Points.
81.81
Hongkong "A
Telegraphs
80.80 71.42 13 8 3-2 5: 45.45 Craigengower 15 3 5 5 -2 -25.00
10 6 1.3
....
R. G. Artillery... 11 3 71-4 -40.00 Kowloon ... 12 2 9 1-7 -63.63 Royal Engineers 10 1 7 2-6 -75.00 Hongkong Police 12 1 9 2-8 -20,00
A win counts 1 point. A Joas
A druw
0
OTHER CRICKET,
CRAIGENGOWER T. ARMY BIAFR.
This match which was fired for to-day is Cancelled
SUGGESTED CRICKET JUNIOR. LEAGUE.
A correspondent ("Parsee Player") writes suggesting the advisability of forming a junior league for those teams which are not strong snough to enter the existing league. He thinks that at least fifteen clubs will join and advises that steps be taken to have it started next
Beason
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER RESERVE ASSOCIATION.
Members of the Association are reminded that the monthly shoot for the "Douglas Cup" will take place to-day and to-morron starting at 3 p.m. and 10 a.m. respectively.
BANZAI !
The Japan Mail says: It is not infrequent to find men speculating as to the origin of the now familiar banzai, and we believe that a general impression classes this excellent ejseniation among the inventions of modern Japan. Quite recently, indeed, we heard a learned Japanese pandit declare confidently that the Late Professor Toyama was the originator the word as the Japanese equivalent of hurrah
But the truth is that banza" belongs to a very much remoter date. History shows that it was used certainly as long ago sa the year 486 A.D., and probably it was zist an innovation erea then.
Chronicles of Japan In the -a work published, as is well known, in the year 820 A. Dit in related that, in the spring of 486 x. p. the Emperor Woke re
Bombered by
Kenzo, Tenno," by Posterity as repaired to the park of the summer hall, and there held revel by
"the winding streams." His guests were a concourse of Ministers and of high officials-known at that epoch under the titles of Omi, Muraji and Miyakko. When the feast was at its height the guests, we read. "raised repeated cries of bantai." It may fairly be assumed that this formula of gratul ation did not originate thou, but at any rate its undoubted use in Japan more than fourteen centuries ago doprive any Meiji savant of the predit of having invented it.
When it is rometabored what are the tempta». tious of sailors and soldiers away from honie, it
will be seen that this side of our work is a boon to the men, and gives us the opportunity of getting into close contact with them and providing a substitute for their real homi.
SPIRITUAL
We rejolen to he ble to say that this side of
val av
カレ
stal rough
ance Societies hold weekly meetings in the Home, while the weekly Class, Prayer and Gospel meetings are very well attended. We can point to a goodly number of men who, through these gatkorings, have been brought from lives of sin and shame and are now manly, straightforward and godly,
No attempt whatever is made to proselytize; we can truly say we are "the friends of all and the enemies of none,"
IV,RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT. This work has been carried on
now for eight years. It cannot be doubted that the Home fills an important place and supplies a need in the life of Hongkong. The sustained
devotion of the members of the Committee to the well-being of the Home, and the interest shewn in the work by many friends in the Colony, is greatly appreciated by the minister in charge.
ASSETS.
$2,000,000.00 450,000.00 56.000,00 522,350.65
I write as one who has comparatively count- 33,029,199.26ly come to the Far East with no preconceived ideas and prejudices on the subject, but who has studied it closely for ever year. I claim moreovor to have given practical proof in the past of a keen interest in mutter affecting the welfare of Native Ruces, eg, the suppression of the Liquor Traffle, Slavery, ote., in Africa. “
Property account consisting of— East Point Reinery, Bewrighton Refinery, Swatow Refinery, Hong- kong Distillery..... d. Cash.
Raw and reflued sugar, &c. Spirits and rum, &c. Charcoal coal, stores, &e. Sundry debtors Shipments..
3297,546.42 Leas avances.. 155,004.70 Balance of profit and loss account
·PROPERTY AŬCOUNT.
To. Balance on 31st December,
1907 ...
By Balance on 31st December,
1909
ATTITUDE OF THE EASTERN COLONIES.
$1,531,209.03 5,338,52 1.102,847.60 The Eastern Colonies, as a part of the British
7.042.00 Empire, are animated by the same ideals as the 136,229,52 United Kingdont and have a not less, high
· 98,132.75 | standard of morality, If then the Rulers of the Empire ut its centre, and the Home Par- liament, with a full and accurate knowledge of 142,541.70 whole circumstances, arrive at the conclusion. 5,858,25 that restriction in the matter of opium should be fuaugurated in India and in the Eastera 23,029,199.26|| Crown Colonies, we may assume with confidence that the decision would meet with a loyal respouse, in spite of the fact (which Colonel Booly frankly pointed out) that it is their Rovenne and their tra e, and not that of the United Kingdom,which are affected..
$1,531,209 03
$1,531,209.03
PROFIT AND LO88 ACCOUNT. To Balanco brouglat forward from
last year
To Commission
Committee
Te Remuneration to Consulting
To Auditors' Fees To Interest
By Gain on Working By Balanc
8279,371,34
s.permalt to store obtained. Quantition in the authorised stores are checked from time to time. A new permit mast be got for removal from store for esport, and for removal from one place to another, or for transhipment within the Colony. The Harbour Master furnishes the Master of every hip carrying opium for export with a memorandum of particulars concerning such opium, and a copy of the meme, is sent to the Imperial Maritime Customs. (Ordiasnos? of 1887.)
The Farmer used" formerly to have two establishments at the East and West of the Town and it was open to boats in Harbour, if found
with loose opium on board, to declare that they were carrying it from one to the other, and hadno intention of smuggling. In order to eliminate the possibility of illicit trade das to this conse, the Farmer since 1900 has only been allowed to maintain one establishment.
If prepared opium bearing the Hongkong Farmer's "chop" is now found in China the "chop" is probably a forgery in order to obtain safe as foreign opium for what is really native opium. It would put his holy, bikely that the Farmer on smuggled opium. If it is a fact that opium is still smuggled· into China, it must be remembered that there are other non-British ports which are quite as favourably situated, for the operations of
"chop
smuggler as Hongkong is,
Tho price of prepared opium in Hongkong being double that in China there is obviously little inducomment to amuggle the prepared drug. while the mall number of cheets drawn by the Farmer (abont inlf the number authorised) shews that it is improbable that w opium is illicitly exported. There is moreover indepen dent evidence to show that any systematic smuggling is now practically extinct, though no doubt small quantities may be occasionally exported illicitly by casual individuals.
Tim Folice have made no seizures to speak of for eight years.
(b.) It has not come to my knowledge that the Chinese Customs, in spite of the large rewards they offer 14 infermers. have made any important seizure
(o) The armed bands who in former days were met with from time to time and often offered assistance, appear to have been quite беокод ир.
(d) The willingness of the Farmer fe co- operate in preventing the smuggling of pre- pared opiam to China, if the latter world reciprocate, goes to show that he does not smuggle.
() Finally there is conclusive evidence furnished by Mr. Clementi's recent exainina- tion of the Farmer's books to exonerate him from such charge.
The efforts of the Hongkong Government in recent years (and before the present ogitation began) have therefore been consistently directed towards the abolition of illicit trade in either raw or prepared opiuër to t him and there is evidence to show that its offerts have been attended with large measure of success. This is a benefit of the very first importance to China and has only been secured by constant efforts and scue peennisry loss to the Colony Reesutly China has pledged herself to recipro cate by checking the illicit importation of prepared opium from China into Hongkong. genuine desire into effective action is shown by but her inability to translate her andoubtedly
the fact that for the six months following that in which the agreement was made (riz., August 1907 to January 198) the average number of seizures of prepared opium illicitly importal into Hongkong has exceeded ono per diem, The smuggling takes place from various ports, Cunton, Amoy, Swntow. Hoikow, etc. I have reason to know that the Viceroy at Canton is sincerely anxious to pat a stop to this practice, und the Imperial Maritime Customs have done their utmost, but the offert to suppress smug- gling is to attempt the impossible, long as the price of opium in China is only half the price in Hongkong.
The Colonies concerned are, however, naturii. ly anxious that the Imperial decision shall be based upon an accurate presentment of the facts, and it is clear from a perusal of the speeches in the Legislative Councils and Press, that the communities concerned labour under an impres sion that public opinion in England has to some 25,290,62 extent been misinformed as to the facts, and that in consequenco the methods proposed are 2,500.00
not in all cases such as are best adapted to the 750.00
and in view, or consonant with a British sense 33,462.95
of Justice. Willing co-operation can only be based upon a mutual conviction that the course $341,374,91
of action adopted is one that has every prospect 8335,516.57 of being affective, and that the sacrifices made
will
futile. not be 5,858.24
EFFECT OF HONGKONG OP PLEDGES GIVEN.
doal first with the statement that in $341,374,91 Hongkong nothing has been done. England has ready taken one very definite step. She has promised to reduce the export of opium LUZON SUGAR REFINING CO. from India to China by one-tenth each year for the next three years. and to continue that
EXPORT FROM CHINA". The report of this Company is as follows: reduction annually if at the end of three years it I have alreadly observed that since China hes The General Agents beg to submit to shure is shown the China has proportionately reduced appealed to the Indian Government to make holders their report on the Company's basine the production and the consumptium of heading hoary-pecuniary sacrifices in order to restrict Tais pledge seriously affects the interests of the import of opium, it is reasonable to expect with a statement of scooputs to 31st of Decem-Hongkong which has long been the mart for that she herself should abandon the authorised the trade in raw opium in the Far East. The export of Chinese growa opium. The official annual value of this trade is given as £5,312,645 returns show that this export had continually in 1906 and £4,656,218 in 1907. The profits increased up to 1907 when it fell to 84.737 Its made are similar to those cured in any The average for 5 years (including 1907), is other form of trade, and add to the general 348,811 lbs. The re-export of foreign opian is commerce business of the Port, by increase slightly decreasing. In 1907 it stool at 46,400
of the trade therefore would not merely be a loss through the Customs (ie, spart from ugg ing freights, insurance (tire and marine), bank lbs, the average for 5 years being 70,947 lbs. ing, warehousing, and handling. The extinction The total average export for the last 5 years to the merchants engaged in it but also to the ing) is therefore 419,758 lbs. the bulk of which general business and prosperity of the Colony gous to French Indo-China. There is also No protest, however, has yet been heard from
a considerable illisit export of raw opium loyally the policy of the Home and Indian Amerion, and other places, which as I have sail those chiefly interested, who have accepted from Chim, to the Straits, Saigon, Bangkok, Governments, but they claim-looking to the
can only be checked by exhancing the price of magnitude of the trade, and to the fact that it opium in China, till it equals the price in the has existed for over 100 years is the mininum countries to which smuggling takes place. time in which now interests can be created to
ber last.
Owing to the restricted demand for the Com- pany's Sugars during the year the Refinery could only be worked on a reduced melt, and frequent stoppages were found necessary, after converting the assets into Hongkong The gain on working was 812,719.42, and currency at par, allowing for interest and auditor's fee the sum at debit is $135,893.43 which is carried forward to hert recount.
Consulting Committee Mr. A. G. Wood resigned his saat mpon his departure from the Colony, and Mr. J. W. C. Bonnar was invited to join the Committes in his place. Mr. H. P.
White and Mr. J. W. C. Bouzar offer themselves
Yet there remains much that ought to be done, and done soon to make the Institution a real home away from home." The interior o the building badly needs renovating and
for re-election. improvemonts are urgently needed to make it
Auditor:--The accounts have been audited cheerful and homelike. We therefore earnestly aak that those who have the welfare of onry M 4 R. Lowe, CA, who offers himself sailore and soldiers at heart will send us a subscription in order that we may do what ought to be done.
The work during the year has been in the charge of the Eer. C. Bone, who is now on furlongì.
J. A. A: BAKER,
Wesleyan Chaplain. J. C. JOUGUIN,
Hon. Secretary, The Committee consists of Capt. F. A. Brown, Capt. A. J. Baker, A.0.B., Eng-Capt. J. Fiel. der, E.N., Mr. Makeham, Staff Sgt. North, E, E., Sgt. Port, Bufs, Q.-M.-S. Edwards, R.E., Mr. W. J. Adams, B.N.
WEATHER REPORT.
The Hongkong Observatory yesterday issued the following report:--
On the 12th at 11.55 am-The barometer has fallen over W. Japan and the Loochoos, and risen over E. Japan and N. China,
A depression, formed to the outh of the Lower Yangtze, has moved into the Eastern Sea and will reach the coast of S.W. Japan to-day.
ares of high pressure is spreading over N. China from the N.W. and N.E. monsoon con- ditions will probably be re-established in the Formosa Channel, and along the northern shores of the China Ses by to-morrow.
Hongkong rainfall for the 24 hours ending at 10 am. to-day, 0.09 inches.
The forecast for the 24 hours ending at noon to-day is sa follows Hongkong & Neighbourhood.(*) Formosa Channel South coast of China between?
Hongkong and Lamocks. South coast of China between game as No. 1.
Hongkong and Hainan...}
Same as No. 1. Same as No. 1.
(*) Wind backing to E. and N.E. and freshening; &qually, rainy, fog at time.
for re-election.
JARDINE, MATHESON & CO., LTD.,
General Agents. Hongkong, 9th Mareb, 1909.
BALANCE SHEET, 31st DECEMBER, 1908.
-LIABILITIES.
Capital, 7,000 shares, of $1000 each $700,000.00 Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd.'s
current account Account payable. Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
(advance a/c)...
ASSETS.
Property account, as
account
per last
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation
Cash in hand...
Raw and refined sugar, &c. Coal, charcoal, stores, &o, Accounts receivable.....
Prost and loss acocant, Loss to 31st. Decem-
ber, 1907 Loss for year ending 31st December, 1909
$135,132.55
760.88
replace those sacrificed, and any dinination of this period would impose too heavy burden upon them. In this connection I venture to suggest that China should be required to reciprocate by abandoning her exports to Siam and Indo-China-both of which countries, like herself, have declared their desire to restrict the consumption of opium,
INDEPENDENT ACTION BY HONGKONG. A second step has been taken in which Hong kong alone was concerned. In 1907: His Majesty's Government proposed to prohibit the Opiuru, under the Monopoly system in this exportation of prepared opium from Hongkong, Colony, can only be prepared for sale by the 204,031.68 Farmer. It was perfectly legitimate for him 1.67103 to export to China under proper permit and declaration, though such export formed no part 20,000.00 of his Monopoly rights. To probibit it would be, however, a curtailment of the privileges $925,702-71 under which his contract was signed, and might have involved a moral alaim for compensation, but as hina undertook to reciprocate and to check the smuggling of prepared opium into $629,642.43 Hongkong the Farmer willingly agreed and the trade was abolished. Tho Chinoso Government 2,395.48 expressed itself as very grateful for this notion 1,023.16 by the Hongkong Government. 104,532.66 Further assistance has been rendered to China 38,998.06 by Hongkong through the consistent efforte of 13,217.49 the Colony to prevent the smuggling of opium to the Mainland, though such smuggling was of $789,809.28 course in no way injurious to the Colony itself, and if unchecked would add to the value of the Farm. No doubt the degrease in the rental
value of the Farma in recent years is in part due to the cessation of sinuggling.
THE PROBLEM IN CHINA.
SEVERE CASE OF
WEEPING ECZEMA
Right Hand was Worst Cracks Like Cuts Developed-Could Not Put Hand In Water-Tried All Kinds of Treatments without Avail,
SPEEDILY CURED BY
ONE SET OF CUTICURA
"I have the pleasure of writing to tell what a wonderful cure the Cuticura Remedies made in a very short time. was troubled with a wooping eczema. My right hand was the worst. I had cracks as big as cuts in it and watery blisters all under the skin. I tried all kinds of things until I was tired. I went to a doctor and all he could say was to use one kind of thing and then another and to keep my hands out of water. Then I wrote to my mother whom I knew had had eczema fearfully. She wrote and told me that she had. been completely cared by using th Cuticura Remedies, so she advised ma to try them. I got a full get. Tho first night my hands were quito differ ent. I kept using Cuticura for a while and now I can put them in water as much as I like and it makes no differ- ence, where before I was afraid to put them near it. I am thankful I am cured and to anyone else I know of with such a painful trouble I shall very soon tell what to get. I am sure that Cuticura is a wonderful treatment. Mrs. John Hughes, Tho Poplars, Frankly, Cheshire, Eng., Nov. 14, 1607.”
Send to nearest depot for free Cuti- cura Book on Treatment of Skin Diseases.
FOR BABY RASHES
Eczemas and Irritations, Cuticura is Worth Its Weight in Gold.
The suffering which Cuticura. Dint- ment, assisted by Cuticura Soap, bas alleviated among the young, and the comfort JL ans afforded worn-out and worried parents, has led to its adoption in countless homes as priceless for the skin and scalp. Infantile and birth humour, scalled-head, eizumus, rashes, itchings, chafinge and every form of itching, sealy, pimply skin and scalp humeurs, with lossofbair.aruspzed- By permanently and economicsily cured, Complete External and Interns Treatment for Every Humour of Infants, Children, and Adults Curs Frac cu fete Cursos Cuticle Pura Orotment to
and Cutimira solvent ur Cutfears templyeni Pik (Chocolate Coated to Purdy the Bor). A Hingle challen Cures. Sold throughout the world. Depots; London, 27.
6. It is ale in PRIX: A terhquar Sa Drug & Chez, Corp. Bole Props, Boston.
54-25
amount illicitly exportel which is probably con- to restrict it. This is irrespective of the aiderable. In Szechuan and Yamau the cultiva tion of opium is a great sgricultural industry.
it is of interest to note that Mr. Clementi and its arbitrary abolition would inflict a great injury on the population. In this connection shows in his translation of the Article on the Poppy from the Chinese Encyclopedia that the plant was known and cultivated in China for the 9th Century, and the use of opium was pro medicinal purpose as early as the beginning of bably introduced by the Arabs es early as the middle of the 15th Century.
· HOW GAUGE RESTRICTION IN CHINA. Relative to the restriction of cultivation the point naturally arises How is India at the end of the trial period of three years to ascertain whether China has fulfilled her part of the contract and has made a corresponding reduction in the internal production? Sinoa there is no proper survey, sud no accurate record of the area under poppy cultivation, and China rofuses the intance of foreign surveyors, it is char that existing statistics ure very nobnious and no
Bet demonstration of decreuse can be expected. The only rough and ready method therefore of gauging whether China me proportionately decreased cultivation during the three trial years, is to judge by the current price of Native Opinn in China. If it rises considerably as it
do with a decrease of cultivation, it will be
smokers, add decrease of illicit export (which fair to assume that the alleged reduction has really taken place allowance being made at the
with a rise in prices of Native Opiuma same time for a fall in prices due to decrease of
becomes less profitable). I lay stress on the China for until its price is an a parity with that necessity of this rise in the price of opium in obtaining in the Straits and Hongkong, those Colonies are justified in claiming that the restrictive methods of China are less effective
territory. than their own, and in resenting the conse quential smuggling from Chins to Britishi
done nothing to assist China, Honkong is per I have I trust shewn that, so far from having haps the only place (until the recent action of India) which has considently and effectively SUBSTITUTES FOR THE POPPI.
It would suem that the best way of reducing afforded assistance.
the area of cultivation is a Poppy Tax on all lands devoted to the growth of the poppy, which could be gradually increased until the enltivation became unprofitable. Such a tax already oxists Shami where poppy land is rated at about three times na bigh as any other erop. It ako exists in Manchuria. The imposition of such a tax would enable the Government to cheapen transport for crops of less value, and to grant some compensation to poppy growers who take up other crops in lieu of the poppy.
watter
The sincerity and honesty of purpose of the Central Government and of many of the Viceroys of the eighteen great provinces of China is admitted, but the difficulties, Financial, Industrial, and Executive which confront the Provincia! Administrations are very grust. In dealing therefore with India, and the Native States, and the revenues which affects great industrial interests in British
and trade of the Eastern Colonies, it is imperative in justice to thuse whose in.
Sir A. Hosie estimator that serop of wheat dustry and trade are affected to procest per ucre is worth £4.5.6 as against £5:16.6 for gradually and tentatively, and nut too far in Poppy (viz., 26.71 per cent. lass) but there are advance of the steps taken by thian, so that crops possibly of more value than wheat suitable the interests of our own nationals may not for poppy land such as tobacco, cocca, or rubber. be sacrificed without corresponding visible and
Mr. Fox lately Consul in the poppy-growing tangible results in China, and we may assure
province of Szechuan says that the tobacco is ourselves alike of the permanency of the of high quality, and suggests a substitutes movement, and of the Central Government to
ramie, tea, silk and vegetable oils. It is worthy carry it through in an Empire with so little of note that as food stuffs replace the poppy, cohesion as China
the price of food decreases, and with it the perennial scourge of famine from floods ate, and the necessity of the embargo on the export of rice. It would be of benefit to Chine if an export agriculturist were to advise as to the (a) The restriction and ultimate abolition most paying substitutes for the poppy of the cultivation of the Poppy in China,
(b.) The provision of
The whole subject of opium production revenue to replace is a diffenit one. The world required a large that now raised on opium. when those two problems are in a fair way gantity formation which produce, or are medicinal perposes, end in order solution it may justly be said that China has capable of producing, the drug may-guard sot s Standard which is worthy of emulation, against its export and use for illicit pur- and has proved herself to be in earnest,
poses, it would appear to be necessary that the output should be made a Government monopoly and the Government of the country of conngu- adopt measures for contro ing the sale,-other- ment notitled of all shipments so that it may wise as Mr. Leech points out, new countries
THE TWO ESSENTIAL PROBLEMS. The two really essential problems, which in my view China has to solve if she intends to carry out her declared intention are
of
RESTRICTION OF PRODUCTION,
As regards restriction of cultivation. The fact must not be lost sight of that of the total quantity of opium consumed in China estipust ed, at 22,588 tous in 1908-7ths is grown in
SUPPLY OF MEDICINAL OPIUM,
the
It is generally believed that some ten years 135,893.43 ago there was a very considerable smuggling trade so China, for judging by the figures of $925,702.71 recent years it would seem probable that the Farmer at that time drew more opiam from Bond than he required for his legitimate business. It is surmised that he sold the balance China itself chiefly in the Province of Sze will grow opium when the Indian export is to smugglars, but the risks both to them and to chan (66 per cent of this tot of the of restricted. For Chins is not the only country himself wore great for the conditions ofthe Farm the most densely populated of the provinces of which has cause to fear the effects of the misuse were designed to prevent snuggling and as China (45 millions) into which no foreign experience was gained new precautions were oplum is imported, and in which as Cle. of opiam, and its derivative morphine. The from time to time taken. No one can lawfully menti has shown, the precentage of smokers is United States of America, it is said, imports possess prepared oplam in suficient quantities more than doable that in the rest of the Em.
seren or eight times as much as is required for to snuggle unless procured from the Farmer pire. Out of her enormous production China for no one else may prepare opium. No one in fsot (as I have shown) exports opium to Indo. may have loose opium", (viz., anything less Chins and I believe to Siam, where the con than an unbroken chest), except the Farmer,sumption shows no decrease thought the King in and every best imported must be declared and a manifesto on his birthday declared his desire
PROFIT AND LO88 ACCOUNT.'| For the yea ending 31st December, 1908. To interest... To auditor's feo-
+
$13,186.39
186.39
To loss in exchange
By gain on working
By balance loss as per balance sheet
243.91
$13,480 30
$12,719.42 760.88
$13.480.30
medicinal purposes, and has lately passed a law restricting this import, as also has Canede. It will be open to the non-producing countries to follow this lead, and by arrangement with the (Continued on page 5)