CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 25

CORRIA KEL

22

ALLONMAN prepared in the Colonial Office regarding the

policy to be pursued by the Far Hastern

Colonies and Dependencies in giving effect to Article 6 of the international Opium Convention.

1912.

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adia

2

1.

It is considered that in different ways and by the varying measures described in their replies to the questionnaire issued by the Opium Advisory Committee :

of the League of Nations, the Goverments of our 'ar sastern Colonios and Dependencies have gone as far in the repression of opium amoking as they cansafely do until conditions in the Far East and the world generi

make it quite clear that:

(a) The present practice of smoking under Osveta”;

ment supervision and severe restraint, will not be re-

placed by the smoking of smuggled opium)(ex hypothesi clandestinely and not under the control of the Government..

This danger is particularly great in liong Kong in view of

the recrudescence of opium growing in China.

(b) Similarly until it is clear that Opiua smoking

will not be replaced by injections of morphia and other

drugs. These practices have in the past been especially

rife in Kalaya and have given immense trouble in repres-

sion. There can be no doubt that further restrictions

on opium smoking, and still more anything approaching an attempt at total suppression, will lead to a great recrudescence of the use of drugs far more injurious

than opium smoking. We therefore await the complete and effective regulation of these du at the sources of supply in accordance with the policy now being pursued under the auspices of the League of Nations.

?

ffice

Farts.