:
4.
501
the restricted character of his instructions as had been expected owing to the fact that the other States concerned, with the exception of Japan, were not preparod to go even as far as those instructions pornitfel,
Reforring to what Mr. Newton had said, Sir balcolm Delevingne stated that he had already explained publicly the difficulties in the way of further progress towards the suppression of opium smoking at the prosent time. It was admitted that the draft Agreement repres ented a lomer standard than is already in force in the best Far Eastern territories, but this was no justification for the allegations made by Mr. Porter and Bishop Brent that it represented a retrograde
step+
It would not of course result in a lessening of the control in those oountries whero control is already on a higher standard, but it would tighten up the control in territories such as the Portuguese possossions where the present standard is much lower. It did definitely establish the principle of a government monopoly of opium and the abolition of private retail shops. Kr. Waterlow commented that this was not much of an achievement to put before the world. The question was the subject of much sincere, of ill-informed, agitation by earnest and high-minded persons. The Home Secretary hero remarked that with gard to the situation at hop, his relations with"Exeter Hall" the Church would enable hir to convince such people of the bone idos of the British position.
Mr. Waterlow asked the question whether the Colonial Office could not in fact accept the progressivo--suppression of opium smoking within 10 years, or some such period, He had just come from an interview with Sir John Fordon, who as much disappointed with the results of the First Conference and regarded proposals on the lines of Mr. Waterlow added that the American Article @ as quite practicable. the Foreign Office was extremly anxious to meet American opinion. Sir Gilbert Grindle replied that so far as Hong Kong was concerned this proposal might be possiblo, but that it was quite impossible for Malaya, both on financial grounds, and for the reason that suppress- ion of opium would seriously endanger the maintenance of public order.
Mr. Taterlor said that he was thinking of the effect on public opinion. It was for that reason we had offered the suggestion of an impartial
Commission,
The HOT Secretary asked whether any country where opium le now smoked was prepared to acopt ite suppression in 10 years.
Sir Falcolm Dələyingne replied that the only country approaching this position was Japan (i rospect of Formoss). The Japanese claimed that in Formosa the smoking of opium was limited to registered smokers
No new smokers were who were already confirmed in their addiction. allowed to settle in Formosa and no opium was supposed to be suppliod to persons not already registered. Complete suppression would thare- fore be achieved as soon as the existing smokara died off. Sir Gilbert Grindle pointed out that Japan wished to exclude Chinamen from Formosa, whereas our territories, whore smoking is permitted, depend on Chinese labour
19