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The opium administration in Taiwan has acted since the possession of the island on the principle of gradual decrease. In 1900 when the number of those specially permitted to smoke opium was at its highest, it was 169,064; but at the end of 1920 it had fallen to 49,031. The average number of deaths among opium-smokers during the last ten years was about 4,000; but as the number of deaths will annually decrease with the gradual decrease of the number of smokers, it is believed that at the present rate it will require about fifteen years more for the total extinction of those who have been licensed to smoke opium.
As the powder opium mentioned in the Taiwan Opium Law corresponds to the medicinal opium of the Opium Law of Japan Proper, medical practitioners, pharmacists, druggists, and medicine- manufacturers only may possess, sell, or transfer it without Government permission.
Opium chandoo and powder opium being Taiwan Government monopolies, it is forbidden to import or manufacture them or to sell, transfer, or possess them without special permission. Offenders against the prohibition are severely punished. The same restriction applies to preparations possessing the same efficacy as opium chandoo or powder opium.
CONTROL OF OPIUM IN CHOSEN (Korea).
The system of control of opium in Chosen is based on almost the same principles as those in force in Japan Proper. Opium cultivation requires the permission of the authorities; the whole of the opium produced must be delivered to the Gevernment not later than a fixed day every year, and to manufacturers of morphine and other opium alkaloids and their derivatives only such quantities are sold by the Government as are necessary as materials for the manufacture of the above-mentioned medicines. By these means the illegal use and secret exportation of opium are prevented.
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As regards the sale and storage of opium, by the Chosen Opium Control Law issued in June, 1919, free disposal between private individuals, handling and storage were restricted and strict control was enforced so as to afford little opportunity for illegal use of opium. At the opium harvest police officers are present in the fields and make the best efforts to keep it in control.
CONTROL OF OP UM IN KUANGTUNG PROVINCE.
Although no special regulations have yet been issued respecting the production of opium and dealings therein, poppy cultivation is strictly prohibited and any poppy plantation is, if discovered, burnt down. With regard to the importation, manufacture, sale and pos- session of crude opium, the provisions in the Criminal Code relative to opium is applied under the Law for the Conduct of Judicial Affairs in Kuangtung Province, and the restriction exercised is very strict. But as it is necessary for the relief of habituated opium smokers to permit the importation and sale of crude opium under a definite restriction, special permission has been given to a Chinese charitable association named Kosei-zendo, which is engaged in importing crude opium through Tairen as the only port of importa- tion, and under the present system, there are specially licensed retail dealers who purchase crude opium from Kosei-zendo and making opium chandoo from it, sell it to those persons who are licensed to smoke opium. Any opium in possession, for which proper steps have not been taken must be confiscated; and although it is the usual custom to effect confiscation by judicial decision, offenders frequently abscond and make it impossible to bring them to court; and moreover, as it is found most troublesome to lock up a large number of offenders as is often the case during a trial,· it has been decided in the case of first offenders and those whose
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