----
1
560
18.
of such high value in proportion to its bulk, that even with the constant detection of cases of smuggling, the traffic will continue unless rigorous measures to prevent illicit exportation crc takon by producing countries. This has, of cour' sê beon orly realised by ali tha Governments concerned, and is one of the principal reasons for the assem-
bly of international Commissions and Jenventions on the opium question.
60. At the present time smuggling into this country is not very prevalent, mainly for the reason that the Regie opium is of a high quality being puro Indian without any mixtube, and is sold at a fairly reasonable price.
H
61.
Smuggling out of this country has practically ceased, owing to there being no demand at presont from China, as already montioned in para. 25. It is now definite- ly known that China has resumed tho production of raw opium.
62.
With regard to the future, when rogistration is put into foroo in this country, if the moasuros aro as of£00- tivo as it is hoped thoy will bo, smuggling out should prao- tically coa so whatever conditions exist in other countrios. On the other hand, smuggling in is vory likely to take placo for the use of persons who do not present themselves for ro- gistration, boing those who at the prosent time, are unwill- ing to ontcr opium-shops, and who indulge, as far as possible in illicit smoking. For an improvement in this state of affairs, Siam can only look to the carnest co-operation of noighbouring countries and to their taking measures similar to those adoptod hero. The question is complicated by the proximity of the British Shan States, where the cultivation of tho poppy is still allowed, "and from which some smuggling takos plavo into Northern Siam. The latter is under worros- pondonco with the Government of Burma, which has under taken to co-uporato in any monsures adopted by the Siamo so Govorn- mont to prevent the import of opium into Siam from thos0 Statos.
63.
Annexe IV shows the quantities of opium seized by the customs at the port of Bangkok, both inwards and outwards While it cannot, of course, be claimed that all contraband opium is dotoctod, the returns of detection always sorvo 18 a fair indication of the relative amount going out or coming in, your by your.