It remins to consider briefly our obligations as regards (1) Prepared Opium and (2) Raw Opium.
As regards the former (i.e. opiш prepared for smoking), there seems to be no reason why we should not, in the proposed new Act, prohibit its manufacture, sele, import and export, as from the passing of the Act.
As regards raw opium, we need not concern our- selves with its production. It is open to question as to what obligations we are under in regard to Article 5 of the Convention. I do not see any ground for limiting either the trade in the United Kingdom or the export from the United kingdom of raw opium to the same restricted circle of persons, who will be permitted to deal with morphie, and it is suggested that we might give the necessary authorisation in this case on ebay terms.
As regards Article 2 of the Convention, opium is in fact mainly imported at London and Liverpool, but it might be well to ascert in particulars from the Cus- toms as to other ports through which it preses. The limitation of the trade to particular ports should be left to Order in Council.
As regards Article 3, we only want general legis- lative powers to prohibit or restrict the export of
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