CO129-439 - Others - 1916 — Page 335

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It was considered that as the detection of

persons engaged in the preparation of opium for smoking with a view to its being ruled out of the country would be largely a police matter the central authority should be the Home Office.

It was further discussed whether the necessary powers should be taken by legislation or by regulations under the Defence of the Realm Acts. Legislation might be difficult in the present circumstances and it would hardly be possible to deal properly with the subject.with- out including legislation to restrict the abuse of morphine, cocaine and other pernicious drugs.

There is no doubt that at present considerable inconvenience and delay is caused to shipping especially the lines trading with Eastern ports owing to the pre- valence of smuggling. Ships have to be searched not

..

only at Singapore but at Hongkong and again at a Treaty Port in China; if opium is discovered the ship is detained until the conclusion of the proceedings for the condemation of the opium, which have often involved the infliction of a substantial fine on the ship; and with the present shortage of available tonnage any unnecessary delay in port is prejudicial to national interests.

But an even more cimportant point is the necessity for preventing evasion of the existing prohibi- tion of the export of opium. The prohibition has been imposed with the view of securing that the supplies of opium in the United Kingdom should be adequate for militar needs and it is of the highest importance that all possible steps should be taken to put an end to smuggling

opium