:
*
merely a transit depôt between the countries of origin and
the countries of consumption, has done more (at its own
pecuniary disadvantage) to assist China than any other
country. Hongkong interests are radically affected both by
the reduction of the Opium export from India, and by the
forthcoming conference at Shanghai, but in spite of the
losses which are thereby likely to be incurred this Colony
has agreed to the abolition of the trade in Prepared Opium
both with China and Indo-China. Hongkong has consistently
for very many years used every effort to prevent smuggling
of Opium (Raw or Prepared) to China, although (since this
is a Free Port) no loss of Revenue and no inconvenience
accrue to the Colony from such smuggling. The result has
apparently been to put an end altogether to the smuggling
of Prepared Opium from Hongkong to China.
7.
With regard to the second object
the restriction of Opium Smoking in Hongkong
[
the Memo
-randum under separate cover gives statistics to prove
that the habit is confined to an infinitesimal part of the
population; that it is conducted under the strictest
supervision; that it is apparently responsible for no
crime, and for very little demoralization, (probably less
than any substitute would produce); that by means of the system
94