549
-
was to bring the matter before the Legislative Council, and in a form that would admit of open discussion, prominence to be given to the question—was there any understanding with the Opium Farmer that all confiscated drug was to be delivered up to him?
Mr Ryrie introduced the subject in Council on the 24th November following, and in the course of the discussion which ensued His Excellency the Governor said:
The Honourable Member (W. Ryrie) knows perfectly well that this subject has given a large amount of anxiety. I can quite understand there are grounds for complaint, and serious grounds for complaint from the point of view of the Struble Member, I think he was quite aware lately that we have had under consideration an ordinance intended to meet the very object which the honourable Member desires.
With this assurance from Lyric expressed himself satisfied, and your Chamber naturally did not think it necessary to move further in the matter.
We now regret to have to say that after a lapse of nearly four years, and notwithstanding repeated promises from the Government, the law, as far as the abuses we complained of are concerned, remains just as it was when we first addressed you upon the subject. Not only this, but in a letter received today from the Colonial Secretary, the Government absolutely refuses to attempt any amendment.
Amendment of the