Chinese Goverment to fulfil its obligations in this 513
matter, and that as regards the trade in morphia and similar drugs and lack of effective cooperation between the Foreim Powers and China with a view to controlling and restricting the traffic has been the factor mainly responsible for the steady growth of the evil.
On the general question of the regulation of the trade in opium and ita derivatives the Associated Chanhora, whilst naturally viewing the present deplorable situation with the most profound concern, feel that it is hardly within their province to advance opinions or to suggest a remedy. There is, however, one point in connection with the illicit trade in native opium which so closely affecte important British commercial interests that I
I refer to the question feel justified in mentioning it. of opium smuggling on British vessels, for which the owners and masters are in no way responsible, but which under the system now in force renders the ship liable to delays and heavy penalties, demoralizes the native crews and exposes t e ship's officers to grave personal danger in
I would venture their attempts to prevent the traffic.
to refer H.M.Minister to the report of the speech made at the Conference by Mr.T.H.R.Shaw, a member of the Shanghai Chamber which dealt more particularly with this side of the question, and I am confident that I am expressing the views of all the Associated Chambera in stating that in face of the gross failure of the Chinese authorities to check the growth and sale of opium, and with/