CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923 — Page 627

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9.

Trenises, the legel cossession of orium is noces. rily con- fned to certain limited classes of the population.

Convictions for illicit possession will also be easier to obtain in the future because the succlementary leg of R. E" 2461 (1916-19), hich allowed the possession of one tamlung

The penalties have of orium, "es e constant stumbling block. also been increased, by providing a minimum fine or a mini- mum period of incrisonment for even the smallest quantity of opium found. (See Sections 36 and 37 of the La.)

hich come into force 30. Certain further provisions, from R.E. 2463 (1922-23). make it illegal for any person, excent home smokers retailers and dealers, to possess opium pipes. Convictions for offences against this portion of the lar should be comparatively easy to obtain, as small quanti- ties of opium are more readily concealed than are opium pipes. A period of one year has been allowed before these provisions conefnto operet ion, in order to permit present possessors of orium pipes to trke suitable steps to dispose of them in con- formity with the requirements of the Lar. (Vide Opium Lav, Title, IV).

31. Finally, there is a third set of provisions, which are to come into force from a date to be subsequently notified in the "Government Gazette", before which all smokers aust be registered. Thereafter no further applications for regis- tration #ill be received (oxcept under "ell-defined limits, fro new imigrants), and no unregistered person -ill be al- lowed to rurchase or smoke opium. (Vide Opium Lar, Title v.)

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32. The various steps taken by the Government for the the administra- gradual enforcement of greater stringency in tion of the Ocium Regte have now been outlined, from the time of the commencement the monopoly up to the present day.

In the remaining portion of this lemorandum it is posed, in order to obtain a clearer understanding of the pol- icy of the future, designed to accomplish the final supprce-

sub- sion of opium smoking, to enter in some detall into the jects of registration of snokers, estimated number of smokers, disposal of cross, financial aspects of the question, raw op- ium, smuggling etc.

Theory of legistration of Smokers With a View to the Ultimate Suppression of sacking.

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33. Briefly, the theory is that the prohibition of smoking for those already addicted to the drug is impracticable, and that the only possible way is to devise owns thereby oth- or persons shall bo prevented from taking to the habit.

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