20.
636
2
Section 35. This scction provides that, in the event of the continued illicit cultivation of the opium poppy in any village, the "hole population may be punished. It 111 be observed horever, that this ill only be done after due official notice. Collcetive punishment appears to he the only means of dealing with the matter.
66.
CONCLUSION.
Reference has already been mado ( para.25) to the subject of the extra-territorial rights of persons un- der foreign jurisdiction, and the difficulties this throws in the way of detection of the 11licit sale of opium, if it is carried out in places in the occupation of persons not annable to 31amoso jurisdiction. Such places cannot be raided or scached without a Consular varrant, and the trouble and time innvolved in obtaining the requisito document is too "ll known to require further comment. It is sufficient to say that the delay in many cases enables the 1111c1t dealer to remove all tracos of his misdemeanour. The strict- or the control becomes, the more will persons desirous of committing offences against the Opium Law, cndeavour to shelter thems clvca behind the protection afforded by Foreign Consular jurisdiction.
67.
The throo reasons, therefore, which at present duter this Government from putting into force at once the only measure by "hich the eventual suppression of opium smoking on boattained viz., the registration of smokors are all duc to causcs beyond their control. These arc:-
+
(A) Financial: the inability to raise the requisite rev.mue to cover the deficit which will result from the initiation of the system of registration of smokers.
(B) Extnal:- the smuggling of opium from other
Countriuð.
(C) Internal:- the want of control over the illicit gale of opium by certain foriga subjects, due to extra- territorial jurisdiction,
BANGKOK, 14th February, 1921
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.