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EDUCATION AND PROPAGANDA.
Institutions such as the National Red Cross Societies should be peculiarly well qualified to undertake educational and propagandist work in their respec- tive countries which will bring the opium habit into popular disrepute and thus help to prevent a new generation from acquiring it. They may also be able to make practical suggestions for reform and to furnish evidence of the evils arising from the habit which should carry weight outside of their own, countries. Along such lines the Red Cross Societies may do much not only to reduce in their own countries the evils connected with opium smoking, but also to help in the essential work of international co-operation.
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Bangkok Times Inonday 4th December 1922
RED CROSS CONFERENCE.
THE OPIUM QUESTION,
Pin.cómposing it with the super vision and execution of agreements") the subject. Now the League's advisorý committes found, to begin with, thatį it would be necessary to get figures of the legitimate needs of the various countries of the world. That was pro
On Saturday the Oriental Colving a matter of very great difficulty
ence of the League of the Red Cros Societies discussed the Opium questi
it was very difficult, for example, in both the United States of America
in relation to popular Health Instruerand in England. Next it was realised tion. In view of the importance, the subject we feel we ought to add to the brief report we have already give Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Nagara Svarga, Prince Damrong, and, the Prince of Jainad were smoak those present
At the outset Sir Claude Hill said he would begin by asking Major Normant White to speak on this subject, since this matter was initiated on the motion of the League of Nations. The League referred a definite question to the League of the Red Cross Sociation, which in turn had referred the matter: to this Conference. Now, he had. received a telegram from their head- quarters in Paris stating that at, Washington a resolution had been, introduced in Congress asking the American Government to convene an international opium conference. This Conference might, of course, pass resolution in favour of that step, but he was distinctly of opinion that they should abide by the terms of their reference, and not in any way deal with a fact of which they were not fully advised. At the same time the introduction of euch a resolution. went to show the world-wide impore, tance which is attached to the qu tion of the abuse of opium and the heavy weight of responsibility which. rests on any body of persons desling with this question. The question of the alpse of opium and the control of its consumption is vitally important to humanity at large. But it was, not for them to enter on any political question. The reference to the Con- ference was how far they could assist Governments along lines legitimate for Red Cross Societies. It was ook for them to discuss any nation's opiuzsi policy or its methods of internal dis tribution and supply. The question | before them Was whether they could offer 8 useful contributiam to the problem by indicating means by which the admitted evils could best be combatted.
Majde Norman White said that Artis clo 23 of the Pact of the Leagen Sof Nations explained why the Leagu
gives so much attention to this mad for. The League was entrusted by the
that no real progress could be made, Fanless more could be done in. educational work with regard to the evil results of the abuse of the drug. That was why the matter of propag-i anda and education had been brought Fbefore the Red Cross Societies.
was the only way in which they could render useful aid, and he agreed with the Chairman that the Conference! should not go beyond the reference from the League of Nations, which represents 52 of the countries of the world. They all regretted that America) is not yet officially connected with the League, but the help it was giving, was a clear indication that America would not countenance the setting up of any institution in opposition to this League.
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Colonel Mixer expressed his sense of the value of the Siamese report,! and at the suggestion of Major White expinitial on the law prohibiting the.
use of optim operated in the Philip- pince.
Dr. Stemetz also gave the confer- *ence the benefit of his experience, 7
i
.
Mr. Lo Chang said that China sim-! ied at the complete suppressid pƐ she'
evil. The termittee appointed ta to deal
Sect of "hich he was chain had the day before adapted the following rmolution. It. was a provisions]) resolution and sub- ject to the results of the present dis- cassion.
request of
"In accordagen va bas considered what resistance "Red the League of Nati
Cross Societies can give in the matter of diminishing the abuse of opium in! their respective utring The Con- ference has réttlly, sóngidered the numerous interavit Pfaports them have been granted to it by the dai
regarding this matter and w measures that are being taken or pied jeeted to diminish this abuse. Conference considers that simple im ghinction regarding the dangers cont-