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Mr. CAMPBELL (India) said that he saw no actual objection to the Chairman's proposal with reference to the principle of reciprocity. Certain countries, however, might consider it to their advantage to remain detached from the system, and the Committee might thus fail to obtain the universality which it desired.
The CHAIRMAN agreed that the introduction of the system piecemeal on a reciprocity basis. could only be considered as a temporary and provisional arrangement.
The discussion continued on the dangers of reciprocity.
Sir John JORDAN and Mr. CAMPBELL agreed with the views expressed by the Chairman.
Mr. CAMPBELL thought that the Committee should press as strongly as possible for the general adoption of the system of importation certificates, as this was its only means of con- trolling the consumption of opium.
On the CHAIRMAN's proposal, it was agreed that Mr. Campbell should draft a resolution to be submitted to the Committee at the afternoon meeting.
4. Report on the Progress of the Enquiry regarding the Production, Distribution, etc., of Cocaine.
The SECRETARY read the third part of her report (O. C. 60).
Mr. CAMPBELL stated that there was no manufacturing or production of cocaine in India. Importation was only authorised for medical purposes.
The total consumption was about 140 ounces per year for a population of 320,000,000 in- habitants, which was very little. In fact, it might be said that there was no local cocaine pro- blem in India; what smuggling there was, was by sea.
The CHAIRMAN thought that the particulars of seizure communicated by the Indian Govern- ment showed that there was a fairly widespread illicit traffic in cocaine in India.
Sir John JORDAN asked where cocaine was manufactured.
The CHAIRMAN replied that the four principal manufacturing countries were the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France. A certain amount was also manufactured, he believed, in the Japanese Empire. He was not aware whether any was made in the United States of America.
Dr. ANSELMINO (Germany) stated that he knew of an exchange of correspondence concerning the proposed building of a cocaine factory in Latvia. The export from Germany into Latvia of a considerable quantity of raw cocaine had been asked for, but the German Government had refused to grant it.
The illicit use of cocaine was increasing in every country in the world. To combat this practice it would be necessary, first of all, to persuade the medical profession that the medicinal use of cocaine was indispensable only in very rare cases, and that, in general, it could be replaced by other non-injurious drugs. The small quantities actually needed could be supplied by a central official authority to the few doctors who might require them.
A second preventive method would be to add a colouring matter which would immediately betray the consumer of cocaine, but it would have to be ensured that all manufacturers treated cocaine with this colouring matter.
He begged the Committee to consider his suggestions at its next session.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that Dr. Anselmino should send to the Secretariat a note setting out his suggestions, which would then be circulated.
M. BOURGOIS (France) requested further particulars regarding the very interesting suggestions of Dr. Anselmino, and asked whether coloured cocaine had already been used in medicine.
Dr. ANSELMINO replied that the experiments made hitherto had chiefly been in the laboratory,
but that, in any case, colouring in cocaine was not injurious to sick persons.
The CHAIRMAN expressed regret that the replies to the enquiry were coming in so slowly. The Committee could do no useful work as long as the necessary information regarding cocaine production was lacking.
Sir John JORDAN and M. van WETTUM (Netherlands) supported this statement.
M. BOURGOIS stated that France's reply would very shortly be forthcoming.
Dr. ANSELMINO stated that he could not fix a date for the German reply.
M. van WETTUM (Netherlands) asked whether the Committee, at its last meeting, requested the Dutch Government to supply information regarding cocaine traffic in 1921
The SECRETARY said that on June 1st all the Governments had been asked to communicate any figures which might be available, but that no year had been specified.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that, as it was essential for the progress of the Committee's work to have figures of cocaine production, the Secretary-General should be asked to send a communica- tion to the Governments of the chief manufacturing and producing countries concerned, requesting them to provide this information as soon as possible.
M. BOURGOIS (France) requested that if Document O. C. 60 were placed before the Council or the Assembly, mention should be made of the fact that France's reply was only lacking owing
to an unavoidable delay, and that it would be forwarded immediately.
This proposal was adopted.
The CHAIRMAN asked whether anyone wished to make any observations on the resolutions passed by the Committee in April last.
There being none, the meeting rose at 12.45 p. m.
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