CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 307

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The information at the disposal of this

Association proves that as long as large supplies of narcotics far in excess of legitimate medical uses ere produced there will continue to be an extensive smuggling trade, beyond the power of any Government, or Governments

to suppress, and in consequence the evils of the narcotic

habit will extend and permeate all countries.

The

Government of India produces more than any other country,

and the evil cannot be radically dealt with until the India Government considerably reduces the amount produced

in India.

This Association has been officially informed by

the Japanese Government that the Japanese monopolies of

opium t Tsing Tao, and in the leased territories of

Kuan tung will be abolished by the end of the fiscal

year, March 31st. It is most desirable for the moral

and social welfare of the Far Eastern countries that the

Opium monopolies of Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macao, the latter dependent on the Hong Kong Opium monopoly, should

also be abolished. It has been frequently asserted that the Hong Kong Opium monopoly will be abolished in the course of a few years, but the renewal of the Opium contract for the supply of opium for another five years at a fixed rate, made with the India Government, seems

inconsistent

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