as the average death-rate among smokers since 1900
has been over 8,000 per annum, the reduction of confirmed smokers from this cause alone should have been over 56,000 by the end of 1907.
The total at end of 1907 was
Deduct deaths for 1901-1907
165,752
56,000
Total at end of 1907 without new smokers 109,752
The total at the end of 1907 was however 113,165
Add result of recent raid
Present Total
15,869
129,034
1
which is very nearly the same as that at the end of 1905.
Apart from this over 12,000 confirmed smokers are statistically reported to have abandoned the habit between the years 1900-1905, so that the number of new smokers enrolled since that time must be considerable.
Mr. Chalmers, to whom I am indebted for the above information, adds that he believes with the best will in the world the Japanese will find it extremely difficult to keep down the opium habit. They probably do their best to save the labouring classes, but
580
but the profit derived from opium is a strong temptation to let the well-to-do classes alone.
I have the honour to append two tables, one shewing a Return of opium smokers in Formosa from 1900-1907 the other giving a classification of smokers in 1905 according to age and sex.
I have &c.,
(Signed)
Claude M. MacDonald.