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proposed International Conference, for bringing about the "gradual and effective suppression" of opium smoking, to which the Parties to the Opium Convention are pledged. This was done in order that all the states concerned might have ample opportunity for examining the suggestions, but neither the British Govarzment nor any other Goverment was committed by the Rem lu- tion to their acceptance. Some of the seated measures are already operative in whole or in part in the British Fossessions, but he most important from the point of view of bringing about a gradual reduction in consumption, vi, the proposals for rationing and registration, are not.
When the decision to convoke the Conference And been taken by the League,, it was decided that
kot Kalisiyaliz the over ub. of ¿o Colonies/mainly concerned, viz
lion: 3
and North Borneo should be asked
to appoint Committees, on which the Chinese community should be represented, to consider and report on the suggestion and subject genera ly. The reports have now been received, and it becomes necessary for the Government to decide what policy is to be adopted by the British delegates at the Conference next
November.
The present
To put it
3. The question is not an easy onė,
osition is far from satisfectory. shortly, we are not carrying, out our obligations
Other countries under Chapter II of the Convention.
it is true, are in the same, or even a worse, position. In all the British Po sessions in which opim smoking still continues, elaborata systems of
Those have had extellent control are in operation.
results up to a point, and brought about a considerable reduction in the local consumption.
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It
is admitted however that the systems have produced their full results in this direction and that no further reduction in consumption is to be expected. The Osəriment dannot therefore rely on the normal working of these systems of control to bring about the ultimate suppression to which they are pledged by the Opium Convention.
The position is complicated further in two ways with the abolition of the export of opium to Chin.. and with the impressin stringency of the control