10
adults in the district. The annual consumption of prepared opium per head of the adult male Chinese population during the years 1919, 1920 and 1921 was 8 ozs., 7 ozs. and 44 ozs. respectively. The price charged has been advanced at intervals contemporaneously with similar increases in the Straits Settlements, and is now $9.50 per tael.
Ceylon. Great progress has been made since 1910 in reducing the consumption of prepared opium. Import and sale have been brought under the direct control of the Governinent. Opium may only be sold by authorized persons, and a system of registration of opium consumers has been established. The price has been raised from time to time, and the consumption of both kinds is decreasing. The number of consumers has been reduced from 24,000 in 1910 to 12,000 in 1920, and the allowances have been diminished. Save in very exceptional cases fresh persons are not placed on the register. Con- siderable quantities of opium and opium products are, however, smuggled into Ceylon and used by the natives,
Mauritius, Opium smoking until recently existed on a small scale in Mauritius, but in February of this year it was forbidden by law.
Wei-hai-wei.---Permits to smoke opium are issued only to confirmed smokers by a Government Medical Officer. There are no opium divans. The number of registered opium smokers in 1920 was 58, and, as no fresh permits are being issued, the suppression of the habit will proceed pari passu with the death of the present smokers. In accordance with the announcement made by Lord Balfour at Washington, Wei-hai-wei will shortly be returned to China and British responsibility will then of course cease.
It will be seen from the foregoing recital that a steady and con- tinuous effort has been made during the last ten years to reduce the practice of opium smoking in British Colonies and Protectorates where it has been prevalent. The general policy has been to exercise a close control over the trade, to bring the average consumption within moderate limits. and, as far as possible, to prevent the illicit in- troduction of supplies.
Further than this it does not seem possible to go as long as pro- duction and distribution go unchecked in the neighbouring countries. Complete suppression can only be brought about by simultaneous measures in all the countries concerned.
HOME OFFICE.
November, 1922.
(3/326) Wt. 18211-G.160 375 11/22 H&S, Ltd. Gp. 3.
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Mr. Allens Mr. Beckett
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