CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 126

RECF

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SECE 25 FEB 14

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NOTE ON THE LEGISLATION REQUIRED TO GIVL EFFLCT TO THE

OPIUM CONVENTION IN THE UNITLD KINGDOM,

The proposals which were drawn up at an inter- departmental Committee, at which the Board of Trade

assisted, for regulating international trade in morphia

and cocaine, were framed to indicate the general lines on

which it appeared possible that his Lajesty's Government would be in a position to legislate. These proposele,

which were submitted by the British Delegates to the

International Opium Conference, formed the basis of the

provisions ultimately incorporated in the Convention, so

far as concerns these products.

We have not, at the Board of Trade, had occasion to

consider what should be the provisions of law with regard

to the trade in Raw Opium or in Opium prepared for smoking,

but some suggestions will be put forward later for carrying out the requirements of the Convention, so far

as these products are concerned.

The original proposals with regard to Morphia and

Cocaine were as follows :-

(1) All manufacturers of and dealers in morphis

and cocaine shall be required to take out a licence. Persons manufacturin: or deeling in the above articles

without licence shall be liable to penalty.

(2) All such manufacturers and dealers will be required to keep a record of all transactions in such druge, including the name and address of all persons from hom they obtain or to whom they sell them, and the quantity involved in each transection. This record shall be open to inspection and verification by a Government Officer.

(1)

(3)